What's in the exam?
- Pieces
- Scales and arpeggios
- Aural tests
- Sight-reading
Latest exam updates
Music Theory exams – March 2021
For more information click here.
Performance Grade booking
The next booking period for remotely-assessed Performance Grade and ARSM exams opens in February. For details, see our dates and fees page.
Candidates for Grade 6, 7 or 8 exams must already have passed ABRSM Grade 5 (or above) in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a solo Jazz instrument. For full details including a list of accepted alternatives, see Regulation 1d.
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Damase | ![]() ![]() |
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2 | Guilhaud arr. Strevens |
![]() ![]() from Trois Pièces |
![]() Samek Music (CSCP007) More details |
3 | Handel trans. Rascher |
![]() 3rd movt And 4th movt from Sonata No. 3 |
|
4 | Dirko Juchem | Moderato Or Rondo 1st movt Or 3rd movt from Petite Suite |
|
5 | Kalinnikov arr. Ivanov |
![]() |
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6 | Koechlin | ![]() from 15 études, Op. 188 |
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7 | Lantier | Sicilienne | |
8 | Massenet arr. Lanning |
![]() from Thaïs |
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9 | Saint-Saëns trans. Rainford |
![]() 1st movt from Sonata, Op. 166 |
|
10 | Philip Sparke | ![]() No. 1 from Super Solos for Alto Saxophone |
No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Blémant | Study in G | |
2 | Karg-Elert | ![]() ![]() |
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3 | Verroust | Study in G | |
4 | Alan Bullard | ![]() No. 46 Or No. 47 from Sixty for Sax |
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5 | P.-M. Dubois | ![]() No. 13 from 17 Études dansantes |
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6 | Chris Gumbley | ![]() No. 9 from 15 More Crazy Jazz Studies for Solo Saxophone |
![]() Gumbles Publications (GP101) More details |
7 | James Rae | Jazz Waltz No. 4 from 18 Concert Etudes for Solo Saxophone |
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8 | James Rae | ![]() No. 26 Or No. 31 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
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9 | Karen Street | Improve Your Groove from Streetworks |
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10 | Jeffery Wilson | ![]() ![]() No. 6 from Jazz Paraphrase for Saxophone |
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Clérisse | Sérénade variée | |
2 | J. H. Fiocco arr. Harvey |
Arioso | |
3 | Granados arr. Teal |
Playera Op. 5 No. 5 |
|
4 | Schumann arr. Teal |
Romance No. 1 from Three Romances, Op. 94 |
|
5 | Grétry arr. Bazelaire and Londeix |
Ariette Or Chasse from Suite Rococo (ending at b. 101 in Ariette) |
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6 | Guilhaud arr. Strevens |
Andante religieux from Trois Pièces |
![]() Samek Music (CSCP006) More details |
7 | Philip Sparke | Little Overture No. 1 from Super Solos for Tenor Saxophone |
|
8 | Tchaikovsky arr. Ivanov |
Perce-Neige | |
9 | Telemann trans. Londeix |
Siciliana: Andante And Spiritoso 1st movt And 2nd movt from Sonata in C minor |
|
10 | Telemann trans. Londeix |
Andante And Vivace 3rd movt And 4th movt from Sonata in C minor |
No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ned Bennett | Lamplight | |
2 | Martin Ellerby | Richmond And Wymondham 1st movt And 4th movt from Albion Dances for Tenor Saxophone |
|
3 | Mick Foster | For Astor No. 2 from Five Contemporary Dances |
|
4 | Paul Harris | Music of the Spheres | |
5 | Graham Lyons | Shooting Stars over a Tropical Sea from Compositions for Tenor Saxophone, Vol. 2 |
![]() Useful Music (U133) More details |
6 | Christopher Norton | Black Sheep of the Family No. 14 from The Christopher Norton Concert Collection for Tenor Saxophone |
|
7 | Andy Scott | And Everything is Still… |
![]() Astute Music (am104-26) More details |
8 | Andy Scott | Zebra Crossing | |
9 | Trad. arr. Rickards |
Amazing Grace Or The Ash Grove |
![]() Saxtet Publications (Sax034) More details |
10 | Washington and Bassman arr. Ledbury |
I'm getting sentimental over you |
No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Blémant | Study in G | |
2 | Karg-Elert | Cubana Or Giga | |
3 | Verroust | Study in G | |
4 | Alan Bullard | Expressive Sax Or Impetuous Sax No. 46 Or No. 47 from Sixty for Sax |
|
5 | P.-M. Dubois | Paso-doble No. 13 from 17 Études dansantes |
|
6 | Chris Gumbley | Tongue Twister No. 9 from 15 More Crazy Jazz Studies for Solo Saxophone |
![]() Gumbles Publications (GP101) More details |
7 | James Rae | Jazz Waltz No. 4 from 18 Concert Etudes for Solo Saxophone |
|
8 | James Rae | Return Flight Or Breakaway No. 26 Or No. 31 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
|
9 | Karen Street | Improve Your Groove from Streetworks |
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10 | Jeffery Wilson | Take Desmond No. 6 from Jazz Paraphrase for Saxophone |
Candidates enter for an exam on Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone saxophone. There are separate repertoire lists for the Eb and Bb instruments; all other requirements are common to the four instruments.
Related instrument option: At all grades, candidates for any of the four saxophones (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) have the option of playing their List C piece on one of the other three. There is no advantage to be gained over other candidates in taking this option, and all the other requirements must be played using the saxophone on which the candidate has entered.
Download recordings of syllabus repertoire for Alto Saxophone.
Practice examples of the aural tests for Grade 6.
Practice material for students preparing for Saxophone exams.
New editions offering support to teachers preparing students for Practical exams.
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