The ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus…

The Jazz piano syllabus is so very different to that of the Classical piano, that it warrants a more ‘in depth’ description.

The ABRSM Jazz syllabus was first introduced in 1998, and is a comprehensive introduction to the world of jazz.  A rigorously planned syllabus provides you with what you need to play jazz with imagination, understanding and style.  It also sees you improvising right from Grade 1. 

While its format may be familiar to the classical student (three lists of pieces, scales, quick studies and aural tests for each grade) it is a very different concept in every respect.  The jazz piano syllabus is intended for jazz players of all kinds, but has specifically been designed to include certain kinds of candidates that may not be suitable for the usual Board examinations.   

For example –

• Those who play by ear.
• Those with minimal reading skill.
• Those musicians who regularly play in jazz pubs and clubs
• Those with excellent classical accuracy but lacking the jazz skill set

It is possible to learn the set pieces by heart at grade 1, and pass the exam but by grade 5 a significant amount of sight reading would be necessary.

For players with impressive classical training, sometimes it is necessary to go back to grade 1 or two to get a grounding in jazz style, rhythmic interpretation and work with unseen contexts.