Frequently Asked Questions
SyllabusesQ: I intend to complete an AMEB Exam in the near future and was wondering how I could obtain Syllabuses (Old or Current) to get an idea of what the work requirements are? R: All syllabuses are published in the current Manual of Syllabuses with the exception of Percussion, Ensemble Performance and Accordion that can be downloaded from this website. You can obtain a copy of the current Manual of Syllabuses from your AMEB State Office or music retailer. Q: What is the difference between a syllabus and a grade book? R: The syllabus is like a curriculum or the "building blocks" of a program of study. It specifies, in detail, all skills that will be acquired in each area of study for each level of assessment. An area of study may include Technical Work, Pieces, Aural Tests, Sight Reading, General Knowledge etc. Grade Books, on the other hand, are AMEB publications containing selected and graded pieces for use with the AMEB syllabuses and produced in one or more publications. Over time, there may be more than one series of grade books published for a particular syllabus. It is possible therefore for a syllabus to change while grade books remain the same or vice versa or both to change at the same time! Getting StartedQ: I've been learning my instrument for 6 years and I have never taken any AMEB exams. Where can I start? R: You can start at whatever level you feel comfortable with. However, you would need to consult the Manual of Syllabuses if you intend to sit a Diploma level examination ie. AMusA and above as these examinations have prerequisites. Teacher availabilityQ: I was learning the guitar in Indonesia and I now live in Australia. Where can I find a teacher? R: If you need a teacher you can contact the Music Teachers Association on in your State. FeesQ: Where can I take the exams and how much is the fee? R: The best people to help you regarding these questions is the AMEB Office in your State. Copies for Diploma examinersQ: I am doing a Diploma exam this year, do I need to bring a copy of the music for the examiners? R: Yes, from 2002 it is a requirement for Diplomas candidates to supply copy of the music to the examiner. Photocopies of the works are acceptable for this purpose but the original music must be sighted. ie. The candidate must play from original must and in the case of playing from memory the candidate must provide the original music for the examiner. QualificationsQ: Will my Trinity College qualifications be recognised by the AMEB? R: Please contact the AMEB office in your State for advice. Q: Will my ABRSM qualifications be recognised by the AMEB? R: Please contact the AMEB office in your State for advice. Q: Are AMEB qualifications recognised for tertiary entrance? R: The entry requirements for individual Universities will vary and it would be best to contact them directly for information. However, some information regarding tertiary entrance requirements is available on this website for Queensland and Tasmania, under Examinations/Public Examinations. Q: What qualifications do I need to enrol candidates for AMEB exams? R: The AMEB offers a range of Teaching Diplomas, details of which can be found in the current Manual of Syllabuses. However, in order to enrol students in AMEB examinations you need to be registered in your State. For details, contact the AMEB office in your State. Music AvailabilityQ: What do I do if I cannot find a copy of the music listed in the syllabus? R: If you cannot locate a copy at your local retailer, you may need to let your "fingers do the walking!", try the Music Retailers section of the Yellow Pages. If the music is not out of print you can ask your retailer to order it for you. Permission to photocopy out of print material that is still protected by copyright must be obtained from the relevant copyright owner. Please contact AMCOS on (02) 9935 7700. On NO account should you use a photocopy in the examinations. For full details refer to "Photocopies" paragraph of the General Requirements for Practical Examinations Section of the Manual. Q: The suggested edition I want to use is out of stock. Should I wait several weeks/months for a replacement or is another edition acceptable? R: Editions are mentioned solely as a means of identification. Original editions are recommended but any standard edition will be accepted and we do not prescribe any specific edition. Q: The prescribed arrangement of the piece I want to play is out of stock Should I wait several weeks/months for a replacement or is another arrangement acceptable? R: In the case of arrangements it is necessary to use the specified volume as other editions may be of unsuitable levels of difficulty. Q: Some pieces listed in the manual are found in other books under another name. I have checked and they are the same pieces note for note. Can they be used? R: This happens particularly when translating from another language eg. Russian. If it is the same piece then it can be used. Out of PrintQ: The music retailer has told me that the music I want to play is out of print. What can you do about it? R: The AMEB regrets that due to circumstances beyond its control it is unable to be responsible for the availability of listed syllabus material. Every effort is made prior to the release of a syllabus to ensure that all materials are in print. However, items do subsequently go out of print. Although an item is out of print, making unauthorised copies of music can infringe copyright. For full details refer to Photocopies. Choice of MusicQ: My student wishes to play a piece that I consider to be of the same educational standard as those listed. To my knowledge, it has never been included in the exam lists. Can she choose this as one of her extra pieces? R: Yes the candidate may present an Extra List work that is of an educational value similar to those listed in the syllabus, and this can be from a source other than those listed in the Manual. However, care must be taken to ensure that it is not listed in a lower grade. Q: In Piano examinations must the Extra Lists be taken from the AMEB Anthology publication? R: No. Q: In the Piano for Leisure examinations when considering own choice items, can we choose from the Piano syllabus? If so, must the piece be chosen from the same grade? R: The piece can certainly be chosen from the Piano list but it must not be taken from a lower grade. Q: My student is sitting for 7th grade Violin but is playing a piece from 8th grade for an Eisteddfod. Can she include this as a set or extra piece? R: The student may include it in her Extra List, but must choose her set pieces from the grade books or manual lists. |
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