ABRSM Grade 3 Snare Drum

General Info

• Candidates can complete an exam with playing with a snare drum only.
• All pieces and studies should be played with the snares on unless marked otherwise in the music.
• Candidates must choose three pieces from the repertoire list, including at least one piece marked with #.
• Up to two pieces by the same composer may be played.
• Candidates must play the upper part when pieces that are published as duets.
• Candidates must provide their own accompanist(s).
• Pieces accompanied by percussion must be played on a separate instrument from the candidates'.

Song List

Item	Works	Instrumentation	Composer	Publication	Publisher	Video Performance
1	Out of Line	Snare Drum Only	William Edwards	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
2	Jazz Waltz for Two	Snare Drum & Low Tom-tom	Rachel Gledhill	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
3	#Stick Insect	Snare Drum & Low Tom-tom	Kevin Hathway	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
4	#Tango Twister	Snare Drum & Piano	David Hext	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
5	#Clock-watching	Snare Drum & Piano	Zara Nunn	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
6	Spanish Accents	Snare Drum Only	Keith Bartlett	50 Short Pieces For Snare Drum	United Music Publishing
7	Little March & Dance	Snare Drum Only	Gert Bomhof	21 Solos for Snare Drum	De Haske
8	What a Drag!	Snare Drum Only	Edward Freytag	Just Desserts	Row-Loff Productions
9	Good Times	Snare Drum & Piano	John Pollard	Shazam!	Row-Loff Productions]]
10	#Alternativo	Snare Drum & Tenor Drum	Wolfgang Sonntag	Magic Sticks	Zimmermann

Technical Requirements

Candidates prepare two studies at each grade and examiners will request which one is to be played in the exam. Each Study is based on a set of rudiments; these are listed on the sheet music.

List	Publications	Notes	Video Performance
Study A	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Studies are in important way to develop technical skills such as stick control, balance between hands, fluency and articulation. They also help to develop tone, pulse and dynamic control, and familiarity with rudimental patterns. This leads to greater confidence and security when sight-reading, learning new pieces and performing - from a score or from memory, as a solo musician or with others.
Study B	Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 3	Studies are in important way to develop technical skills such as stick control, balance between hands, fluency and articulation. They also help to develop tone, pulse and dynamic control, and familiarity with rudimental patterns. This leads to greater confidence and security when sight-reading, learning new pieces and performing - from a score or from memory, as a solo musician or with others.

Sight Reading

Sight-reading is a valuable skill with many benefits. Learning to sight-read helps to develop quick recognition of common rhythm patterns and tonality. Strong Sight-reading skills make learning new pieces quicker and easier, and also help when making music with others, so that playing in an ensemble becomes more rewarding and enjoyable.
Candidates will be asked to play a short unaccompanied piece of music which they have not seen before. They will be given half a minute to look through and, if they wish, try out all or any part of the test before they are asked to play it for assessment.