Trinity College London Music Exams

Who takes these exams

Students of classical instruments and singing take the practical grades. Guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboard players and singers in popular styles take the Rock & Pop grades. Many students add the theory grades to strengthen reading and writing.

What the grades cover

• Theory of Music Grades 1 to 8. The early grades cover rhythm, clefs, keys and scales. The later grades add four-part harmony, melody writing, transposition and analysis.
• Practical grades run from Initial, the grade before Grade 1, to Grade 8 in many subjects.
• Rock & Pop runs from Initial to Grade 8 for guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals.

What the grades lead to

• Practical and theory Grades 6 to 8 both carry UCAS points. Some UK universities and colleges use these points to compare entry qualifications.
• Above Grade 8, Trinity offers diplomas in performance, teaching and theory. They include ATCL, LTCL and FTCL.

How it compares with other boards

Trinity sets no theory requirement for any practical grade. ABRSM requires Grade 5 theory or an equivalent before practical Grade 6.

Practice on The Music Stem

• Trinity theory practice runs from Grade 1 to Grade 8.
• Melodic dictation and ear tests build the listening behind the written work.