Enquiry of the Month - October 2011
Before you start
Before tackling Grade Five theory, consider other options and their implications. These might include:
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Taking Grades 6 and above with a different examination board, such as Trinity Guildhall or London College
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Taking ABRSM Grade 5 on a Jazz instrument
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Taking ABRSM Grade 5 Practical Musicianship (which usually requires some Braille music skills).
Preparation for the examination
The Music Theory in Practice Grade 5 workbook by Eric Taylor is available in Braille to loan or for purchase from the RNIB Online Shop or from RNIB Customer Services at Peterborough by telephone on 0303 123 9999, order number 509285. The print copy to go with this is ISBN 1 85472 494 0 and was published in 1990.
The ABRSM Guide to Theory Part One is available in Braille to loan or for purchase from the RNIB Online Shop or from RNIB Customer Services at Peterborough by telephone on 0303 123 9999 order number 511231. The accompanying diagrams are available, order number 519897.
It is also available as a DAISY book via the RNIB Talking Book Service. The print copy to go with this is ISBN 1 85472 446 0.
The examination papers are not modified in any way and all the stave notation appears as Braille music. Past copies of examination papers in Braille are available only for the sessions where blind candidates have taken the examination. Some examples are:
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2001A 10111539/10440144
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2001B 10113668/10442653
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2002C (on loan from NLS only)
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2003A 10122500/10469583
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2003B 10122501/10469584
Further examples can be found searching on the RNIB Library Catalogue.
The full Braille music code is available on the Braille Through Remote Learning website for any notational queries. Please note that candidates need to have knowledge of keyboard and vocal Braille music as well as single line stave notation.
Taking the examination
Check all the arrangements already in place for braillists which are detailed on the ABRSM website. The examination paper will be in Braille and the candidate responds in Braille, which is marked by Braille reading musicians. It is customary to use a Perkins Brailler for writing Braille, rather than an electronic device. However, the ABRSM are happy to discuss the use of technology that does not need attaching to mains electricity.
Contact the Access Coordinator, ABRSM, 24 Portland Place, London W1B 1LU
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7467 8247
Textphone: +44 (0)20 7637 2582
Best of luck with the exam!