Difficulty Levels: Further Guidance For Ensemble . - Edexcel

Difficulty levels:Further Guidance for Ensemble PerformancesThe standard level for ensemble performance at GCSE, AS and A Level is the same as that for soloperformance:GCSE: Grade 4AS Level: Grade 6A Level : Grade 7This means that the part played by the candidate should be of equivalent difficulty with solo pieces of thatlevel.There is no increase of Difficulty Level because the performance is an ensemble rather than a solo.The definition of what constitutes an ensemble performance in the Specification should be read with careand music for assessment selected to match this appropriately.To choose a Difficulty Level for an ensemble performance the part performed should be compared withsolo pieces and a suitable level selected. The following lists offer further guidance as to what musicalissues might be considered when doing this. They are to be used for guidance only and are not exclusive.PIANOGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Some independence between the handsChanges of hand positionVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationUse of the sustaining pedal if appropriateSome interplay with other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Complete independence between the handsFrequent changes of hand positionComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationAppropriate and effective use of the sustainingpedalExposed lines or frequent interplay with otherpart(s)BRASSGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willA LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music will

include most of the following:A pitch range greater than an octave, not all in aneasy register for the instrumentSome melodic leapsVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationPhrasing that requires some breath controlSome interplay with the other part(s)include most of the following:A pitch range greater than a 12th, possibly evenusing the full range of the instrument, requiringsome dexterity in the use of valves/sideMore frequent or awkward leapsComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationPhrasing that requires good breath control, such aslong sustained phrases or faster passage-workExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)

STRINGSGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Co-ordination of the left hand and the bowChanges of left hand positionVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:A range of bowing techniquesMore frequent changes of left hand positionComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)WOODWINDGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:A pitch range greater than an octave, not all in aneasy register for the instrumentSome melodic leapsVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationPhrasing that requires some breath controlSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:A pitch range greater than a 12th, possibly evenusing the full range of the instrumentMore frequent leaps or awkward passages offingeringComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationPhrasing that requires good breath control, such aslong sustained phrases, or good co-ordination ofbreath control and fingering, such as fasterpassage-workExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)VOICEGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:A pitch range greater than an octaveSome melodic leaps (up to at least a 4th)Varied rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationPhrasing that requires some breath controlSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:A pitch range greater than a 10thMore frequent or awkward leaps (a 6th or larger)Complex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationPhrasing that requires good breath control, such aslong sustained phrases or faster passage-workExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)

KEYBOARDGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Some independence and awareness of balancebetween the handsSome use of extended chordsChanges of hand positionAt least two patch changesVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Independence and awareness of balance betweenthe handsWide range chordsFrequent changes of hand positionMore frequent patch changesComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and/orarticulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)

GUITAR (Classical)GCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Two clear partsSome changes of left hand positionSome variety in right hand techniqueVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Fully independent bass and melody partsFrequent changes of left hand positionVaried right hand techniquesComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and articulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)GUITAR (Popular)GCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Covering at least four stringsAt least up to 5th positionSome barre chordsMoving between chords and single notes, includingdouble stops on adjacent stringsVaried rhythmic patternsSome use of dampingSome control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music will includemost of the following:Covering all six stringsAt least up to 15th positionFrequent barre chords, awkward chord changes, oruse of extended/altered chordsMoving between chords and single notes, includingdouble stops on non-adjacent stringsComplex rhythmic patternsSome use of natural and/or false harmonicsSophisticated control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)BASS GUITARGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Bass line mainly uses notes from the chordSome changes of left hand positionVaried rhythmic patternsUse of slapped and pulled notesEven use of fingers on the picking handSome control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Bass line includes notes from outside the chordFrequent changes of left hand positionComplex rhythmic patternsHighly developed slap style using fretted notes withpulled and muted notes, and use of double stops,with effective string jumpingUse of all fingers on the picking handSophisticated control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulation

Exposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)DRUMKITGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Varied rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and/orarticulationSome simple fillsSome independence of limbs required, includinguse of open and closed hi-hatSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Complex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamics and/orarticulationMore complex fillsIndependent use of all limbsExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)

TUNED PERCUSSIONGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Some damping requiredIncludes some melodic leapsVaried rhythmic patternsSome control of dynamic contrasts and articulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Frequent damping requiredFrequent melodic leaps or use of chordsComplex rhythmic patternsSophisticated control of dynamic contrasts andarticulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)UNTUNED PERCUSSIONGCSEAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Varied rhythmic patternsSome use of decorations (rolls, flams, paradiddles)Some control of dynamic contrasts and articulationSome interplay with the other part(s)A LevelAt standard level it is likely that the music willinclude most of the following:Complex rhythmic patternsFrequent use of decorations (rolls, flams,paradiddles, drags, ruffs, etc)Sophisticated control of dynamic contrasts andarticulationExposed lines or frequent interplay with the otherpart(s)

The definition of what constitutes an ensemble performance in the Specification should be read with care and music for assessment selected to match this appropriately. To choose a Difficulty Level for an ensemble performance the part performed should be compared with solo pieces and a suitable level selected.