Updates and news

Electronic drum kits for Rock & Pop Digital Grades

4 October 2023

We are pleased to say that electronic drum kits (EDKs) will now be accepted for Digital Rock & Pop Drums exams at all grades, making these exams available to more candidates than ever before. Previously, an acoustic kit was required at Grades 7 and 8.

As the grades progress, the technical requirements of the songs require increasing ability to utilise nuance, shading, and higher degrees of timbral control. In recent years, an increasing number of EDK models have begun to replicate the feel and tone of an acoustic drum kit. In response to these developments, EDKs will be accepted at all grades provided that the kit can reproduce all timbral and dynamic variety demanded by the pieces with full clarity, as well as any particular effects that individual songs may call for. 

As a guide to kit requirements:

• Mesh heads for all drums
• Wide range of nuanced dynamics on all drums
• Minimum of dual trigger zones
• Cymbal bell tones and dampening
• Snare on/off available
• Low-latency kit, sensitive to velocity
• Positional sensing and the ability to obtain stick across rim sound for higher grades  

As no allowances will be made for kits that cannot produce a particular effect (eg differentiation between ghosted and non-ghosted notes, use of brushes, choked cymbal and so forth), candidates should ensure that their song choices are suitable for their instrument.

Summary
This change is to Rock & Pop Digital Grades 7 and 8 only, and an acoustic kit is still required for face-to-face exams at these Rock & Pop grades.

For Classical & Jazz drum kit exams, electronic drum kits may be used up to Grade 5 for both digital and face-to-face exams.

New repertoire-only pathway now available

5 July 2023

A new, pieces-only option for all candidates, bringing even further choice and flexibility to the Classical & Jazz Digital Grades. This offers a pathway for those who prefer to showcase their musical achievements through a programme of repertoire instead of a combination of pieces and technical work.

Please see the Digital Classical & Jazz Grades webpage for more information.

Withdrawal of COVID arrangements

23 May 2023

In line with the government’s policy to return to pre-pandemic arrangements for exams and assessments, the use of adaptations to assist in mitigating the impact of the pandemic have been withdrawn. 

Please see the COVID-19 and Digital Music exams webpage for more information.

Recorded accompaniments permitted for all digital graded music exams

31 October 2022

Candidates may now use recorded accompaniments/backing tracks in place of a live accompanist or duet partner for all digital graded music exams at Initial – Grade 8.

For digital music diplomas, we strongly advise candidates to perform with live accompaniment. However, we will now accept recorded accompaniments in digital diploma exams, and have removed the 31 December 2023 deadline, making this a permanent offer.

Digital Grades and Diplomas now available to book

11 November 2021

We are now taking entries for the Digital Grades and Diplomas, which you can make through your local representative.

Select your country in My Local Trinity to find contact details of your local representative.

Digital Grades and Diplomas have launched!

4 November 2021

We are delighted to bring you full details on the Music and Drama Digital Grades and Diplomas. Explore the different qualifications; learn how to record your video; find out how to submit your performance and even explore our YouTube playlist for Digital Grades and Diploma videos. If you have any queries, please get in touch with your local representative who will be happy to help.