Classical & Jazz
Graded exams from Initial to Grade 8 for piano, singing, strings, guitar, woodwind, brass, and percussion.
About Classical & Jazz
Trinity’s Classical & Jazz grades are performance-led: three pieces carry two-thirds of the marks, with technical work and two supporting tests making up the rest. Candidates choose their own pieces from a wide repertoire list at each grade, and can personalise the exam further with a duet (up to Grade 3) or an own composition.
The ladder runs from Initial - a first exam for beginners - through Grades 1 to 8. Grades 6 to 8 sit at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework and carry UCAS points for UK university applications.
- Levels
- Initial, then Grades 1–8
- Exam length
- Around 10 minutes at Initial to 30 minutes at Grade 8
- Total marks
- 100
- Pass mark
- 60
- Formats
- Face-to-face, or digital (recorded video)
- Prerequisites
- None - no theory grade is required for any practical grade
What you can be examined in
- Piano
- Electronic Keyboard
- Organ
- Singing
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Harp
- Classical Guitar
- Acoustic (Plectrum) Guitar
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- Recorder
- Jazz Woodwind
- Trumpet
- Cornet
- French Horn
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Drum Kit
- Percussion
The grade ladder
Each rung, what it expects, and where it sits on the qualification framework.
Initial
RQF Entry Level 3A gentle first exam: short pieces, simple technical work, and two easy supporting tests. Ideal after the first 6–12 months of lessons.
Grade 1
RQF Level 1Secure posture, tone, and rhythm across three pieces; scales and arpeggios in a couple of keys.
Grade 2
RQF Level 1More keys, longer pieces, and steadier sight reading or aural skills.
Grade 3
RQF Level 1The end of the beginner stage: contrasting styles, articulation, and dynamics are expected to be clear.
Grade 4
RQF Level 2Intermediate playing - fluent technique, phrasing, and a wider range of keys and time signatures.
Grade 5
RQF Level 2A landmark grade: confident interpretation, musical knowledge, and a fully rounded supporting-test set.
Grade 6
RQF Level 3Advanced repertoire begins. Sight reading becomes compulsory, and the grade earns UCAS points.
Grade 7
RQF Level 3Demanding pieces with mature expression; singers add a fourth song.
Grade 8
RQF Level 3The top grade - recital-standard performance and the stepping stone to the ATCL diploma.
What is in the exam
Choose the format that suits you - the certificate is the same.
Face-to-face exam
The standard format, with a Trinity examiner in the room.
| Component | Marks | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 66 | Three pieces (four for Singing at Grades 6–8, worth 68). Each is marked out of 22: 7 for notational accuracy & fluency, 7 for technical facility, 8 for communication & interpretation. |
| Technical work | 14 | Scales and arpeggios, or technical exercises, or orchestral extracts depending on the instrument (12 for Singing at Grades 6–8). |
| Supporting tests | 20 | Two tests at 10 marks each. Initial to Grade 5: choose any two of Sight Reading, Aural, Improvisation, and Musical Knowledge. Grades 6–8: Sight Reading plus either Aural or Improvisation. |
| Total | 100 | |
Digital exam - technical work option
Recorded at home or with your teacher and uploaded; same certificate and UCAS points as face-to-face.
| Component | Marks | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 66 | The same three pieces as the face-to-face exam. |
| Technical work | 14 | A reduced selection of the face-to-face technical requirements. |
| Supporting-test skills | 20 | Not tested separately: examiners assess the underlying skills - fluency, listening, musical understanding - across the whole performance. |
| Total | 100 | |
Digital exam - repertoire-only option
For candidates who want to be assessed purely on performance.
| Component | Marks | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 100 | Four pieces (five for Singing at Grades 6–8), each marked on the same criteria as the face-to-face pieces. |
| Total | 100 | |
Marks and result bands
UCAS points at Grades 6–8
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Grade 8 | 24 | 27 | 30 |
How to progress
From first lesson to the top grade - the steps most Artium students follow.
Start at Initial or Grade 1
Most beginners sit Initial after 6–12 months of lessons, or skip straight to Grade 1 if they started young or practise daily. Your Artium teacher will recommend the grade that matches your playing, not the calendar.
Pick three pieces you love
Every grade has a long repertoire list across classical, jazz, film, and contemporary styles. Choosing contrasting pieces you enjoy is the single biggest lever on your final mark.
Build technical work alongside
Scales, arpeggios, and exercises are 14 marks - but the fluency they build shows up in the pieces too. Ten minutes a day is enough.
Choose your two supporting tests
Up to Grade 5 you can lean on your strengths - Musical Knowledge and Aural suit many students. From Grade 6, Sight Reading is compulsory, so start it early.
Go digital or face-to-face
Digital exams let you record when you are ready; face-to-face suits students who perform best with an audience. Both give the same certificate.
Grade 8 and beyond
After Grade 8, the ATCL performance diploma is the next step - comparable to a first-year undergraduate recital.
Common questions
Do I need Grade 5 Theory before Grade 6 practical?
No. Trinity has no theory prerequisite for any practical grade - unlike some other boards.
Can I skip grades?
Yes. You can enter any grade without having taken the previous one.
How are the pieces marked?
Each piece is out of 22: notational accuracy and fluency (7), technical facility (7), and communication and interpretation (8).
What if my instrument is not on the list?
Trinity also offers Music Certificate exams for many instruments and for groups, and a Rock & Pop syllabus for band instruments.
Courses that prepare you
Live, 1-on-1 classes following this syllabus.
Figures on this page are from the official Trinity syllabus ↗. Boards update syllabuses periodically - check the official page before booking an exam.