Royal Associated Board of Music Violin Exam

Violin Exam

When you arrive the examiner will tell you so stand at a music stand. He will ask you whether to play pieces or scales first. (It is best to choose scales so that you can warm up before you play).

Scales: You will be asked to play some (not all) of the scales you have been practicing.

He will then ask you to play your pieces in the order that you choose.

After this you will be given a piece of music with no markings and be expected to play it.

Then he will tell you to stand by the piano to do an aural test.

Aural:

S1: Clapping the rhythm

In this section you will have to clap the rhythm to the piece and say whether it is in 2 beat or three beat.

2 Beat – You can clap 2 beats to every bar.
4 Beat – You can clap 4 beats to every bar

You can also count aloud to help.

S2 : Echo Singing

In this section you will have to sing back the tune that is played to you on the piano.

Try to sing back as much as you can remember.

Sing in la’s.

S3: Spot the difference

In this section you will have to notice the change between two short phrases.

It could either be:

Melodic: Means there is a change in the notes and tune of the piece.

Rythmic: Means there is a change in the rhythm of the piece.

For example:

1st time: Da Da (rest)  Da Da Da
2nd Time: Da Da Da Da (rest) Da

You will be asked to say whether the change was melodic or harmonic and what the change is.

S4 – Describe The Piece:

The examiner will play a short piece and you will be asked to describe it.

Was it happy or sad?
Where there any crescendos or diminuendos?
Was it major of minor?

Vocabulary:
Forte – Loud
Piano – Soft
Crescendo- Getting louder
Diminuendo- Getting softer
Fortissimo – Very loud
Pianissimo – Very soft
Major – In major key (white notes)
Minor – In minor key (black notes)

The examiner will then say thank you and that you can go now.