Check the shownotes for timings if you just want to listen to the review for one particular grade

Show Notes:Init [2:13]

Terrible (almost non-existent) selection of Baroque/ ClassicalWild range of difficulty levelsFor me, mostly unremarkable piecesMuch prefer the 2021-2023 syllabus, pieces more fun, more character, less blandBoth RSL offerings strong at this level, for me, ABRSM in 2nd place

Grade 1 [3:06]

Very strong Classical selection. Often technically challengingUseful technical pedagogical selection of Classical & Romantic, enjoyable piecesHighlights-

Toccatina (Victoria Proudler)- faux BachRailbird Rag (Sam Cleaver)-  a little challenging but fun

Criticisms- Terrible arrangements of Heard It Through The Grapevine (Marvin Gaye), and Titanium (David Guetta ft. Sia)- lazy arrangement. Most pop arrangements at this grade not fantastic- could be more skillfulStd edition has mostly easier non-classical pieces aimed at youngsters in particularRSL Classical better for jazz & pop than Trinity, classical pieces fun- but limited choice compared to Trinity. LCM by pick for solid rewarding pieces with good benchmarking. Trinity has best ambitious classical pieces, but overall selection inconsistent

Grade 2 [7:15]

Immediately noticed repeat sign missing at beginning of 1st piece- will be confusingNot great Baroque/ Classical selection- not inspiringHighlights-

Petit nuage (Hedwige Chrétien)- sounds great at this level, achievable, great find by woman composerNight in the Woods (Alexander Goedicke)- challenging but rewarding, loads of characterJupiter Storm (Alison Mathews)- almost like pop music, students will love itHedwig’s Theme (John Williams)- great arrangement- v. generous to include a more ambitious chunk which is left out of examIt’s a Walk in the Park (Gilon Fox)- excellent gd2 jazz/bluesMany strong pieces

Criticisms- some clunky pop/jazz arranging but nothing too awful at this gradeABRSM not great for this grade, but the ABRSM pop grade 2 pieces are much stronger than here. LCM shines here with by far the best classical pieces. But Trinity is strong at this grade compared to others with extended edition

Grade 3 [11:23]

Very challenging at this grade, sometimes wildly so (eg LH staccato 3rds in Turkish March duet at speed). Already tricky 3 against 2 cross rhythms in several piecesNot impressed when I see swing rhythm quavers set incorrectly against triplets (All Blues)Felt overwhelmed by sheer amount of non-classical music, but I do like the Baroque/Classical selection. When looking at this book, felt more like rock/pop syllabus to me than classicalLots of film music at this level, some lovely, some blandLots of use of pedal at this grade that feels almost like a norm in this book- I don’t see it to this extent in other grade 3 syllabuses- seems too ambitious to meHigh frequency of highly challenging pieces for this levelHighlights-

Little Stream (Ilona Jurníčková), but wildly ambitiousMad World (Tears for Fears)- lovely arr but ambitious- eg repeated 3rds in RH, pedal, etcSomeone Like You (Adele)- but crazy cross rhythms for gd 3Tres Palabras (Osvaldo Farrés)- nice jazz voicings

Criticisms-

Happy (Pharrell Williams)- good chorus but verse v. clunky arrangement.Dynamite (BTS)- terrible tune to pick that doesn’t translate well to piano. Won’t sound much like original. Rhythms don’t match what is sungAll Blues (Miles Davis)- terrible clunky arr. With some terrible voicings. Wide range of difficulty within piece. Not skillful arr.

ABRSM too easy for this grade. LCM solid & rewarding. RSL not one of strongest, easier than Trinity & LCM. ABRSM pop gd3 looks v. good compared to pop here. Trinity by far the most challenging of all boards

Grade 4 [18:09]

V small Baroque/ Classical selection although nice pieces if somewh...