Contemporary Piano

With two Primary grades aimed at genuine beginners, two Foundation grades for music-makers who are gaining in confidence and ability, and a smashing range of options within our staple run of eight main grades you have ample room to showcase your talent.

We indicate what’s involved in picking your pieces and how marks will be apportioned; how your exam allows you to demonstrate your knowledge through musical understanding; additionally, take note of our Playing Skills Guide for your relevant grade as those are the signs we’re looking for in relation to your notation, mastery of rhythm and key-playing.

Each grade carries an easy-to-follow table which highlights the pieces that feature within our core syllabus, the specified book in each case; plus to help even further, we also provide details of the book’s ISBN number to make ordering in-store or on-line as easy as possible.

You could be tackling ‘Three Blind Mice’; a popular song from the perennial Lloyd-Webber hit-musical ‘Phantom of the Opera’ or something with a jazz vibe. Don’t forget you can also introduce ‘Own Choice’ pieces too and you’ll find details of how all that works by clicking our ‘Own Choice’ zone.

A point to note: you can use an acoustic or digital piano for any of NME’s CONTEMPORARY PIANO examinations.