ja
zh_TWRecently, the #NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) New York State School Music Association placement exam has started to register. Since many parents have questions about when they can take the exam, I wrote this article as a reference.
The exam is divided into six levels in total. Many parents mistakenly think that one level is tested every year. In fact, the level of jumping from level 1 and level 2 to level 3 is quite different, and the level of each level after that is also quite different. The repertoire up to level 6 is almost the repertoire that takes more than ten years to learn the piano.
Although if a student insists on taking a grade that is higher than his own level, I will try my best to help, but if the level is too different, I still don’t recommend it. After all, playing the piano is not for the purpose of taking the grade. Learning the piano in this way is not only very stressful, but also puts the cart before the horse.
As for when can I take the next level exam? There are slight changes in the repertoire every year, so you still need to check it before taking the exam. Below I will use this year to give a rough introduction.
First of all, each level must take a musical scale test.
The 1st and 2nd scales are the same, requiring three ascending and descending major scales.
The 3rd and 4th level scales are the same, requiring 7 ascending and descending major scales, two of which require two octaves. (Generally speaking, I ask students to move to three sharps and three flats, with G major and A major calling two octaves)
The 5th and 6th level scales are the same. You need to play all ascending and descending major scales, all of which require two octaves. Three groups will be tested during the exam.
In addition, the songs are based on the Suzuki textbook as a model, taking the simplest songs at each level as an example. “At least” you need to play the following songs to be able to take the exam.
Level 1 (2 short pieces): Book 1 ■8
Level 2: Book 1 ■13
Level 3: Book 3 ■4
Level 4: Book 4 ■4
Level 5: Book 5 ■3
Level 6: Book 9,10
Also, for the third part of the audition, the difficulty of the clef, time signature, rhythm, speed, and notation on the score increases with each level. Please check and prepare with the teacher.
Level 1 (entry level)
Difficulty: The most basic, suitable for beginners, usually when students are just starting to learn the violin.
Repertoire requirements: Choose simple, short pieces that cover basic techniques such as single notes, simple rhythms and scales.
Technical requirements: Students should be able to play simple notes stably and maintain basic bowing techniques, accurate pitch and rhythm.
Performance requirements: basic musical feelings, such as simple contrast between strengths and weaknesses.
Level 2 (beginner)
Difficulty: Still a beginner level, but with more technical challenges than level 1.
Track Requirements: The track begins to incorporate more rhythmic changes and slightly more complex notes.
Skill requirements: Students begin to learn and use simple scales, master more bowing techniques, and begin to use different finger patterns.
Performance requirements: Simple musical performance, gradually requiring the ability to understand and present the emotions of music.
Level 3 (beginner-intermediate level)
Difficulty: Entering the intermediate level, students are required to be able to play more complex pieces more stably.
Repertoire requirements: The repertoire adds a variety of technical requirements, and students will face longer passages that may have more complex rhythm and speed changes.
Skill requirements: You need to master rich bow techniques, be able to play high-position notes, and start learning more scale exercises and arpeggios.
Performance requirements: Musical expression requirements are more detailed, and you need to be able to understand different emotional levels in the work.
Level 4 (Intermediate)
Difficulty: Further challenges students’ technical and musical performance abilities.
Repertoire requirements: Choose classic works of medium difficulty, involving more rhythm changes, fast passages and simple double and triple tones.
Skill requirements: Students are required to be able to stably use higher positions, master more complex bow techniques, and show some delicate dynamic changes.
Performance requirements: Musical expressions are gradually enriched, requiring the ability to present a variety of musical styles and emotions.
Level 5 (Intermediate to Advanced)
Difficulty: The repertoire and technical requirements have been greatly increased. This level begins to challenge students’ expression and technical abilities.
Repertoire requirements: Choose more complex music, containing faster speeds, difficult rhythms, and requiring the ability to show more skills, such as bow jumping, fast notes, etc.
Skill requirements: Students need to be able to use complex bowing techniques, play smoothly at high positions, and master more advanced music skills.
Performance requirements: Strong musical expression needs, requiring students to be able to handle fast passages, rhythm changes, and expressive musical dynamics.
Level 6 (advanced)
Difficulty: This is an advanced level of performance that requires high skills and musical expression.
Repertoire requirements: Select classical works with extremely high technical requirements. These works contain fast notes, complex rhythms, jumping bows, rapid fingering changes, etc., and require students to be able to incorporate deep emotions into the works.
Skill requirements: Students must be proficient in using all bowing techniques and be able to play stably at extremely high positions. Requires strong pitch control and high-precision technical performance.
Performance requirements: In addition to precise techniques, you also need to show extremely high musical perception, including emotional expression, dynamic control, timbre adjustment, etc.
The NYSSMA exam is not strict, and it is generally not difficult to get a good score if you prepare well. Although the exam is mainly to encourage students, we still hope to cultivate a good attitude towards the exam. Since there is an exam, prepare in a down-to-earth manner, and the fruit of getting a good score will be even sweeter!