The 2021-23 Trinity Syllabus

Following on from our project featuring ABRSM 2020 & 21 syllabus, we’re now in the process of publishing new videos for the Trinity 2021-23 piano examination syllabus. The first videos feature twelve works from the foundation grades (Initial – Grade 3) and will be followed by a selection of works for the intermediate and advanced grades.

Video Walkthroughs

Each video walkthrough offers plenty of tips for practice, as well as suggestions for piano teachers, and guidance on matters relating to style and interpretation. Many of the works we’ve selected are in the public domain and we have included links to free scores where available. Even if you’re not planning on taking an examination, the syllabus offers a varied collection of graded repertoire possibilities.

The following are some preview videos featuring excerpts from the full videos for a work from each grade:

Initial Grade – Reinagle – Allegretto (No. 9 from 24 Short and Easy Pieces, Op. 1)

This attractive little AABA piece is in a five-finger position throughout in the left hand, the right moving away from a fixed position in the second half. Containing no black notes, there is plenty of opportunity to develop phrasing and expression.

This excerpt shows a visual representation of an ascending sequence and demonstrates how placing an eraser in two different positions on the piano helps illustrate that the answering phrase is a step higher from the initial phrase.

Grade 1 – Clarke – King William’s March

In the bright key of D major, the right hand line features forearm staccato bounces, and short and long slurs as it moves nimbly across the keyboard. This energetic piece provides a good opportunity to learn about phrase structure and form.

This excerpt demonstrates forearm bounces for the staccato crotchets in the right hand. Looking at the three-note slurs, instead of raising the wrist at the end of the slur, which would add drag to the key release and produce a softer edge to the sound, it recommends keeping the wrist stable for a sharper release.

Grade 2 – Böhm – Minuet in G (from Clavierbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach)

This dance movement is in two voices (we might imagine a duo between a violin and a cello) and needs a variety of different articulations to bring it to life. Composers in the Baroque period rarely write any articulation, phrasing or dynamic markings, leaving such decisions up to the good taste of the performer. This excerpt explores some possibilities for articulation and phrase shaping:

Grade 3 – Bartók – The Highway Robber (from For Children, Sz. 42)

In The Highway Robber we find three different settings of a folk-style tune. This excerpt looks at how to achieve a smooth legato in the left hand from bar 9 to 12, first using the technique of chord legato in the hand and then adding very late pedals to finish the job.

The full videos for the repertoire selections for this and all other grades are available here via the series index on the Online Academy.

More excerpts from other grades are available on our YouTube channel or click here for videos and information for Grade 8, click here for Grade 7 or click here for the intermediate grades (Grades 4 – 6). Existing resources for the Trinity and previous ABRSM syllabuses can be viewed on the Online Academy here.

You can get further updates on new resources for examination syllabuses by signing up for our mailing list here and subscribing to our YouTube channel for additional video previews.