ABRSM Grade 6 Snare Drum

General Info

• Candidates must play at least one piece for multiple percussion.
• 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	For Fripp #14	Snare Drum Only	Ted Atkatz	Tributes for Snare Drum	Row-Loff Productions
2	Allegro con spirito	Snare Drum Only	Michael Colgrass	Six Unaccompanied Solos for Snare Drum	Alfred
3	Fireworks	Snare Drum & 2 Tom-toms & Suspended Cymbal & Bass Drum with pedal	John O'Reilly	Solos for the Percussion Player	Schirmer
4	Abduction #5	Snare Drum & Cowbell & Tom-tom	Brett William Dietz	Reflex	C. Alan Publications
5	Tribalism #7	Snare Drum & 3 Tom-toms & Cowbell	Murray Houllif	Multipilicities	Kendor Music
6	New Orleans Sunrise	Snare Drum & Piano	Jill Jarman	ABRSM Principal Percussion	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
7	Study No. 25	Snare Drum Only	Keith Larson	Artistic Studies for Snare Drum	C. Alan Publications
8	Celebration	4 Concert Tom-toms	Celebration	David Mancini	Per-Mus Publications
9	The Crazy Snare Drum #19	Snare Drum Only	Wolfgang Sonntag	Magic Sticks	Zimmermann
10	Essay for Snare Drum	Snare Drum Only	Garwood Whaley	Essay for Snare Drum	Meredith Music

Technical Requirements

Studies are 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.
About the test: 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.
Publications: Percussion Exam Pieces & Studies, ABRSM Grade 2
Content: Study A & Study B
Memory: There is no requirement to play the Study from memory.
Sticking: Candidates may use any sticking that produces a successful musical outcome.
Demonstration Video:

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.