ABRSM Harp (Non-Pedal) Grade 7 Syllabus Overview

Grade 7 represents a significant milestone in the development of a harpist. At this level, students are expected to demonstrate not only technical fluency but also a sophisticated sense of musicality, phrasing, and stylistic awareness. For non-pedal harpists, this grade challenges the player to manage complex lever changes, intricate fingerings, and expressive dynamics within a more demanding repertoire.

Performance Section

The core of the Grade 7 exam consists of the Performance component, where candidates choose three pieces from the official ABRSM syllabus lists. The lists (A, B, and C) are designed to provide a balanced program:

• List A: Generally features works from the Baroque or Classical periods, requiring clear articulation and structural understanding.
• List B: Focuses on Romantic or 20th-century repertoire, emphasizing lyrical expression, rubato, and emotional depth.
• List C: Often includes contemporary works or character pieces, testing rhythmic precision and agility.

Candidates must ensure their selected pieces meet the specific technical requirements for non-pedal instruments, as some works may require specific lever adjustments that must be managed efficiently during the performance.

Scales and Arpeggios

Technical facility is assessed through a comprehensive set of scales and arpeggios. At Grade 7, the requirements become more extensive to ensure the student can navigate the harp across its range:

• Scales: Must be played hands together, covering major and minor keys (harmonic and melodic). Expect to perform these in contrary motion as well as parallel motion.
• Arpeggios: Required in root position and inversions, covering major and minor chords.
• Dominant and Diminished 7ths: Essential for building hand strength and fluency in complex harmonic progressions.
• Octaves: Proficiency in playing scales and chords in octaves is required to demonstrate control and consistency in tone production.

Sight-Reading

The sight-reading component tests the candidate's ability to process a new score quickly. At Grade 7, the music will be approximately 1216 bars long and may include:

• Increased rhythmic complexity, including syncopation and varied note values.
• Modulations to related keys, requiring careful lever management.
• Dynamic markings and articulation instructions that must be observed on the first pass.
• Occasional double-stopping or chordal passages.

Aural Tests

Aural skills are integrated into the exam to ensure that the student is listening actively while playing. These tests include:

• Melodic Playback: Repeating a melody played by the examiner.
• Harmonic Awareness: Identifying cadences (Perfect, Plagal, Imperfect, Interrupted) and changes in texture.
• Rhythmic Recognition: Identifying time signatures and recognizing patterns played by the examiner.
• Musical Features: Discussing elements such as dynamics, articulation, style, and character of a short piece played by the examiner.

Preparing for the Examination

Success at Grade 7 requires a disciplined approach to practice. It is recommended that students prioritize the following:

1. Consistent Technical Practice: Dedicate the first 20 minutes of every practice session to scales and arpeggios to build endurance.
2. Thoughtful Lever Marking: For non-pedal harps, annotate the score clearly with lever changes. Practice the movement to the levers until it becomes muscle memory.
3. Slow, Controlled Sight-Reading: Practice sight-reading daily using books below your current grade level to build confidence before moving to Grade 7 material.
4. Listening: Immerse yourself in harp literature. Understanding the standard of professional performance helps in shaping your own interpretation of the syllabus pieces.

By focusing on these areas, students can approach their Grade 7 assessment with the technical security and artistic confidence required to perform at this advanced level.