Option three: Question & answer
Performance details
Copper level
Candidates who select this Option are required to play two separate one-bar rhythms in 4/4 on their instrument, in time and as an echo.
The Teacher-Assessor should either clap the rhythms or play them on one note. No preparation time is given.
The answers may be played on a single note or on a series of notes, although there is no additional credit for using more than one note. The Teacher-Assessor counts in two bars before the first rhythm.
Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels
From Bronze level, the candidate is required to play at sight a two-bar passage of unfamiliar music and to improvise a two-bar answering phrase. After giving two bars of the pulse, the Teacher-Assessor allows the candidate half a minute of preparation time and then gives a two-bar count-in.
Keyboard
The Option tests for Keyboard have been designed to support musicianship activities that are relevant to the instrument. As a result, there are certain differences with the Question & Answer tests, and these differences are described below.
The candidate is required to harmonize a given melody in a specified key and with specified chords.
Copper, Bronze and Silver levels
At Copper to Silver levels, the Teacher-Assessor plays the melody while the candidate provides the rhythmic groove, having first played the same groove as a two-bar introduction. The melody is then repeated by the Teacher-Assessor and on this second playing the candidate activates the auto-accompaniment and adds suitable chords.
Gold and Platinum levels
At Gold and Platinum levels, half a minute of preparation time is given, after which the candidate is required to play the melody and to choose suitable chords in the left hand which should be fully fingered.