Drums Grade 13-6
Examination Procedure
Grade 13-10
Grade 9-6
Duration
Grades 13-12: 10 minutes, Grades 11-8: 15 minutes, Grades 7,6: 20 minutes
Subject Details
I. Repertoire
I-I. Compulsory Piece
Candidates prepare one compulsory piece from the Compulsory Piece List and play it with the backing track.
Procedure
1. Examiners play the beginning of the backing track for several bars so that the candidate can play along to set an appropriate volume and balance.
2. Candidate plays the piece with the backing track.
- Note:
- Candidates are allowed to use the score if necessary.
- Examiners may stop the performance before it reaches the end of the piece.
- The backing track files are prepared at the exam room.
Compulsory Piece List
Grade 13
MFC Drums 1: I am a Musician (Unit 2)
Grade 12
MFC Drums 1: Radetzky March (Unit 3)
Grade 11
MFC Drums 2: Boogie Drums World 2 (Unit 8)
MFC Drums 2: It’s Your Life 2 (Unit 10)
Grade 10
PMC Drums 1: Song 3 (♩=104)
PMC Drums 1: Song 4 (♩=104)
Grade 9
PMC Drums 1: Song 5 (♩=104)
PMC Drums 1: Song 6 (♩=100)
Grade 8
PMC Drums 1: Song 7 (♩=104)
PMC Drums 1: Song 10 (♩=126)
PMC Drums 2: Song 1 (♩=62)
PMC Drums 2: Song 2 (♩=104)
Grade 7
PMC Drums 2: Song 3 (♩=64)
PMC Drums 2: Song 5 (♩=124)
PMC Drums 2: Song 7 (♩=100)
PMC Drums 2: Song 8 (♩=100)
PMC Drums 2: Song 9 (♩=100)
Grade 6
PMC Drums 3: Song 1 (♩=150)
PMC Drums 3: Song 4 (♩=62)
PMC Drums 3: Song 6 (♩=96)
PMC Drums 3: Song 9 (♩=64)
PMC Drums 3: Song 10 (♩=112)
PMC Drums 3: Song 12 (♩=112)
I-II. Free Selection (Except Grades 13 and 12)
Candidates prepare one free selection piece and play it.
Points to consider when selecting a piece to prepare for Free Selection:
The level of the Free Selection piece is expected to be equivalent to the Compulsory Piece for the Grade.
Candidates may choose a Free Selection piece from the textbook or Compulsory Piece List provided that it is not the same piece they have prepared for the Compulsory Piece selection.
Procedure
1. Examiners play the beginning of the backing track for several bars so that the candidate can play along to set an appropriate volume and balance.
2. Candidate plays the piece with the backing track.
- Note:
- Candidates are expected to bring the scores of the pieces they have prepared to the exam.
- Examiners may ask to see the score.
- Candidates are allowed to use the score if necessary.
- A simple score that shows the structure of the piece, chord progression, etc. is acceptable. The score itself will not be evaluated.
- Backing tracks for pieces chosen from the textbook will be prepared in the exam room. However, if candidates choose a piece from outside of the textbook, they are expected to bring any MP3 files or MIDI data that they will use as a backing track to the exam.
- Examiners may stop the performance before it reaches the end of the piece.
II. Set Piece A
Candidates prepare given Set Piece A patterns and are asked to play one or two chosen by examiners.
Procedure
1. Examiners select one (Grades 13-11) or two (Grades 10-6) patterns for the candidate to play.
2. Examiners play the piece's tempo on a metronome for the candidate before proceeding with the exam (about 2 bars).
3. Examiners ask the candidate to play when the candidate is ready.
- Note:
- Scores of the Set Piece A for Grades 13-7 are included in the textbook.
- Please refer to the PDF files for Grade 6.
- For Grades 13-11, candidates are expected to use their own textbook.
Set Piece A List
Grade 13
MFC Drums 1: BASIC EXERCISE 1-1 (Unit 1)
Grade 12
MFC Drums 1: BASIC EXERCISE 2-2 (Unit 2)
MFC Drums 1: TOM WORK 1-2 (Unit 2)
Grade 11
MFC Drums 2: DRUM DUET 1 (Unit 7)
MFC Drums 2: DRUM DUET 2 (Unit 8)
Grade 10
PMC Drums 1: Page 56
Grade 9
PMC Drums 1: Page 58
Grade 8
PMC Drums 2: Page 67
Grade 7
PMC Drums 2: Page 70
Grade 6
III. Set Piece B
Candidates prepare given Set Piece B patterns and are asked to play, with the backing track, one or two chosen by examiners.
Procedure
1. Examiners select one (Grades 13-11) or two (Grades 10-6) patterns for the candidate to play.
2. Examiners set an appropriate volume for accompaniment prior to beginning the exam.
3. Examiners ask the candidate to play when the candidate is ready.
- Note:
- Scores of the Set Piece B for Grades 13-7 are included in the textbook.
- Please refer to the PDF files for Grade 6.
- For Grades 13-11, candidates are expected to use their own textbook.
- For Grades 13-11, backing tracks are specially created for the grade exam. They are not the same as the backing tracks for the textbook.
- The fill in variations are in the textbook.
Set Piece B List
Grade 13
MFC Drums 1: COMBINATION 1-2 (Unit 1)
Grade 12
MFC Drums 1: CRASH CYMBAL 1-2 (Unit 1)
MFC Drums 1: COMBINATION 2-2 (Unit 3)
Grade 11
MFC Drums 2: Page 46
Grade 10
PMC Drums 1: Page 57
Grade 9
PMC Drums 1: Page 59
Grade 8
PMC Drums 2: Page 68-69
Grade 7
PMC Drums 2: Page 71-73
Grade 6
IV. Sight Playing (Except Grades 13-10)
Examiners select one pattern and ask the candidates to play it by sight.
Procedure
1. Candidate is presented a score of the exam piece.
2. Candidate is given 30 seconds to look at the score as preview.
3. Candidate plays the piece after the examiner’s cue.
- Note:
- Movements, such as playing without sound, stroke motion practice etc., are not allowed during preview time.
- For Grade 13-10, examiners evaluate the candidates’ “Willingness” toward examination.
Examples
Grade 9
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
