Abrsm 2025 & 2026
Grade 4 Piano Exam
Category A 3
Song Name / Song PieceMenuet And Trio
Composer Joseph Haydn
Recommended tempo for this piece is 116 bpm, as played in this video, and a steady pace is required throughout the first two main sections, up until the beginning of the Trio, at bar 21. At this point a little rubato (looseness of time) could work well, but be careful not to overdo it. Although this piece is mainly to be played legato, (smoothly), a little bounce on some of the left-hand crotchets could work well to add some lightness in places.
Also note at bar 21 (Trio section) the temporary change of key, from C major, into C minor - although the new key signature doesn’t truly hint at C minor, due to having no Ab in it. Instead, the Ab’s are written in the music, as needed. Once you get to bar 43, be sure to then play the Menuet da Capo once more. In other words, repeat from the beginning again, until reaching bar 20. (marked Fine) - all other marked repeats are not required in the exam. Dynamics are straightforward - mainly changing at each new section, but a little use of crescendo and diminuendo on some of the phrases will be stylish, such as at bar 9, and also in the Trio section, as marked. The closing bars don’t have any rit. (slowing down) markings, although a slight easing of the tempo on the final two bars (19 & 20) could work well.
Grade 4 Piano Exam
Category A 3
Song Name / Song PieceMenuet And Trio
Composer Joseph Haydn
Recommended tempo for this piece is 116 bpm, as played in this video, and a steady pace is required throughout the first two main sections, up until the beginning of the Trio, at bar 21. At this point a little rubato (looseness of time) could work well, but be careful not to overdo it. Although this piece is mainly to be played legato, (smoothly), a little bounce on some of the left-hand crotchets could work well to add some lightness in places.
Also note at bar 21 (Trio section) the temporary change of key, from C major, into C minor - although the new key signature doesn’t truly hint at C minor, due to having no Ab in it. Instead, the Ab’s are written in the music, as needed. Once you get to bar 43, be sure to then play the Menuet da Capo once more. In other words, repeat from the beginning again, until reaching bar 20. (marked Fine) - all other marked repeats are not required in the exam. Dynamics are straightforward - mainly changing at each new section, but a little use of crescendo and diminuendo on some of the phrases will be stylish, such as at bar 9, and also in the Trio section, as marked. The closing bars don’t have any rit. (slowing down) markings, although a slight easing of the tempo on the final two bars (19 & 20) could work well.
Category
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Learning