Option four: Sight-reading
Performance details
Candidates who select the Sight-reading Option are required to play four bars of unfamiliar music, following half a minute of preparation.
The Teacher-Assessor advises that
the candidate may try out any part or parts of the test for half a minute before playing the whole test.
There are no tempo indications as candidates are encouraged to establish an appropriate tempo for themselves, taking into account the speed at which they can play the music while maintaining a steady pulse and, at the higher levels, the character of the music.
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 Sight-Reading tests, and these differences are described below.
The candidate is required to play a piece of unfamiliar music, following half a minute of preparation. At Copper, Bronze and Silver levels the piece will be four bars long. At Gold and Platinum levels, the piece will be eight bars long and will include chords.
The Teacher-Assessor advises that the candidate may try out any part or parts of the test for half a minute before playing the whole test.
There are no tempo indications as candidates are encouraged to establish an appropriate tempo for themselves, taking into account the speed at which they can play the music while maintaining a steady pulse and, at the higher levels, the character of the music.