From beginning towards grade 1, we work through 4 key stages of learning – beginner, pre-prep, prep and initial. 

All students work through all the skills, repertoire and materials at each stage, through games, tutor books, theory exercises and fun repertoire. 

The table below shows common tutor books you/ your child may have on the way and how they match up to each level. 

It is not essential to mark progress with formal assessments, but these are the options I enter students for if you would like to.

Pre- Prep

• LCMe Pre-Prep Exam

Prep 

• ABRSM Prep Test
• LCMe Step 1 Exam
• ABRSM Copper Music Medal

Initial Level 

• Trinity Initial Grade
• ABRSM Initial Grade
• LCMe Step 2
• ABRSM bronze music medal
• Sheffield Music Hub ‘Starters!’ exam

Grade 1 

• Trinity Grade 1 (3 pieces, scales, arpeggios and exercises – choice of 2 from sightreading, musical knowledge or aural)
• ABRSM Grade 1 (3 pieces, scales and arpeggios, sightreading and aural)
• LCMe Grade 1 (3 pieces, scales and arpeggios, sightreading, aural and musical knowledge)
• LCMe recital Grade 1 (4 pieces with musical knowledge or sight reading option)
• LCMe jazz recital Grade 1 (4 pieces with musical knowledge)
• ABRSM silver music medal
• Sheffield Music Hub Grade 1 assessment (3 pieces and scales only)