Booking the Correct Exam and Grade Level

When booking a Trinity Music Performance exam, it’s important to choose the correct subject, instrument, and grade. This article explains how to avoid common booking mistakes and ensure the exam matches the candidate’s preparation.

Initial vs Grade 1

• Initial Grade is an introductory level designed for beginners.

• Grade 1 is the first full grade and assumes slightly more technical and musical experience.

• Check the syllabus for your instrument to confirm the most suitable starting point.

Choosing the right instrument and syllabus

• Trinity offers separate syllabuses for Classical & Jazz and Rock & Pop exams.

• Ensure you select the correct subject when booking:

  • Classical & Jazz – wide choice of instruments with flexible repertoire lists.

  • Rock & Pop – dedicated books and set lists with backing tracks.

• Some instruments appear in both syllabuses (e.g. guitar, keyboards, singing). Choose the syllabus that matches the repertoire you have prepared.

Multi-instrument formats (common booking choices)

• Guitars: Classical Guitar (nylon-string), Acoustic Guitar (steel-string), or Rock & Pop Guitar.

• Keyboards: Piano, Electronic Keyboard, Organ, or Rock & Pop Keys.

• Vocals: Classical & Jazz Singing or Rock & Pop Vocals.

• Woodwind: Classical instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, etc.) or Jazz Woodwind options.

Percussion – booking the right option

Percussion has several distinct booking subjects. Select the one that matches your syllabus and prepared repertoire:

• Drum Kit (Classical & Jazz) – follows the Classical & Jazz syllabus (Group A backing-track pieces and Group B studies).

• Drum Kit (Rock & Pop) – follows the Rock & Pop syllabus (Songs 1–3 with Technical Focus and official backing tracks).

• Tuned Percussion – melodic percussion (e.g. xylophone/marimba/vibraphone) following the relevant Classical & Jazz syllabus.

• Orchestral Percussion – multi-instrument orchestral requirements as set out in the Classical & Jazz syllabus.

Tips

• Check the exact subject name shown in the booking platform and match it to the title on your syllabus.

• Make sure your accompaniment/backing-track plans match the syllabus rules for the subject you select.

• If in doubt, confirm the instrument option with the syllabus before booking.

Examples of common mistakes

• Booking Acoustic Guitar when the candidate has prepared Classical Guitar pieces.

• Booking Rock & Pop Vocals when the candidate has prepared songs from the Classical & Jazz syllabus.

• Booking Organ when the candidate has prepared Piano pieces.

• Booking Drum Kit (Rock & Pop) when preparation has followed the Classical & Jazz Drum Kit syllabus (or vice versa).

• Booking Tuned Percussion when preparation was for Orchestral Percussion repertoire.

Tips for teachers and candidates

• Use the full instrument and syllabus name when preparing and booking.

• Double-check that the grade matches the pieces/songs prepared.

• For percussion, confirm the specific subject (Drum Kit C&J, Drum Kit R&P, Tuned Percussion, Orchestral Percussion) before booking.

See also:

How to Book Exams – My Trinity and Other Platforms