As a flute learner or teacher, there's a LOT of great repertoire to choose from. But what if someone had already done the hard work to find engaging, fun, and enjoyable pieces, and popped them in a book that was specially graded so they'd both challenge and support any stage of development? You're in luck - that's exactly what these Flute Grade books are!
What's in a Grade book?
Music! These books contain a selection of pieces that cover a variety of genres and compositional periods. As the name suggests, the books are linked to Grades. Each book has its own learning stage - the Grade - that aligns neatly to our Flute Syllabus. That means that, if you're learning at a Grade 2 standard, then you'll find lots of fantastic pieces in the Grade 2 Grade book that will suit your capability. The Grade books are available from Preliminary to Grade 6 and each include at least one piece from each of the Syllabus Lists - you could select your whole exam program from one Grade book! This isn't just convenient but much cheaper than shopping around for lots of single pieces.
Who was this handy person who picked the music?
Jocelyn Fazzone. The acclaimed Australian flautist and educator was our Grade book Consultant and she pored over hundreds of works to select a set of pieces that packs a punch.
How were the pieces selected?
Jocelyn had four guiding principles in mind when she waded through a mountain of repertoire. Here's how she focused her selection process:
- Each piece had to be musically worthy;
- Every work had to be enjoyable to play (and also to teach);
- Each Grade book had to include a breadth of styles, and, most importantly;
- Educational merit was at the very forefront of all of this.
To achieve that merit, the range, time and key signatures, tempi, appropriate rhythmic elements, dynamics, articulations etc all had to align to the Flute Syllabus and its technical requirements. Each Grade also aimed to progress the technical skills of the player, and the length of the pieces is intended to fit within the program requirements of the Syllabus.
What styles of pieces are included?
So many! Every period is included from renaissance and baroque through classical and romantic to contemporary classical. There are pieces featuring freestyle swing, blues, Latin jazz, ragtime, rock, Gospel, and folk music from parts of Asia, Europe, and Great Britain. Learners will also love the character pieces which feature descriptive titles to get their imagination inspired.
What else will I find in the Grade books?
It's a wonderfully diverse selection of music so you'll find a lot of gems, including works by Australian and female composers. Each Grade book also has something for those looking for extension and challenge. Teachers will find duet parts so that they can accompany learners in lessons and develop valuable aural and ensemble skills. The pieces also offer a platform through which to introduce specific techniques such as intonation, legato tonguing, air-supported staccato, and vibrato.
Do I have to use a Grade book to do my exam?
Not at all. Like most of our publications, they're resources designed to help you with your learning goals but they're not essential reading. Except for the Syllabus, of course - that's definitely going to be something you want to check to ensure you've prepared everything you need for your exam.
Why do Grade books only go up to Grade 6?
As we approach Grade 7, repertoire tends to get longer and be more freely available, so we find that these resources are most handy at the lower Grades. More advanced learners also tend to have a clearer understanding of their own musical tastes so a book that introduces lots of genres is less relevant.
Can I get TCE bonus points for a Flute exam?
Yes you can! And that goes for any AMEB exam, including all Rockschool and PAA syllabuses. In fact, all practical exams are eligible for TCE bonus points from Grade 4 onwards, as well as Theory Grade 2+.
When can I do a Flute exam?
Our face-to-face exams are available in the June/July and October/November sessions. Alternatively, you can do a Video exam absolutely any time that suits you. To find out more about exam dates, head to our Exam information page.
I have more questions.
That's great! We'd love to help with those. Please feel free to browse the other great sources of information on our website or get in touch to find out more.
