Please use the links below to find the titles recommended in the Trinity College Exam Syllabus:
Aural
Trinity Aural Test books Grades 1 to 5
Trinity Aural Test books Grades 6 to 8
Sight Reading
Sight to Sound Grades 1 to 4
Sight to Sound Grades 5 to 8
Graded Percussion Sight Reading (Trinity) GSM 10608
Percussion Teacher’s Book: Ensembles and Accompaniments (Trinity) TG 006370
Additional Resource Introducing Drum Kit
Grade 1 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 1 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Double/Double, Belfast to Peru
Riley/Staples, Stoneroller
Robinson, In the Pocket
Salmins, Squibnocket Waltz
Group B (unaccompanied)
Ball, Tom-a-Hawk
Gregory, Song for a Small Boy
Grade 1 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 1 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 2 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 1 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Beer, Can You Hear Me♭
Ellington arr. Double, Satin Doll
Riley/Staples, Manny’s Blues
Tween/Taylor, What’s Up♭* (Optional piano accompt.)
Group B (unaccompanied)
Double, 21st Century Fox
Tween, Flats in Dagenham
Grade 2 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 1 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 3 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 2 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Double/Double, Need I Remind You♭
Holland/McDonough, Party People
McDonough, Reggae Muffin
Salmins, Way Cool
Group B (unaccompanied)
Gregory, Meditation
Tween, Muddy Boots
Grade 3 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 2 2014–2019(Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 4 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 2 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Ellis arr. Tween, The Chicken
Jones arr. Double, Soul Bossa Nova
Mobley arr. Double, Soul Station
Riley/Staples, The Spark, The Flame
Group B (unaccompanied)
McDonough, The Amgard Corps
Robinson, Ali’s Boogaloo
Grade 4 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 2 2014–2019 . The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 5 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 3 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Ball, Lime Tree Bay
Frishberg arr. Double, You Would Rather Have the Blues
Miller, Yabba Dabba
Tween/Taylor, On the Path* (Optional piano accompt.)
Group B (unaccompanied)
Double, Benton Street Bop
Francis, Samba Time
Grade 5 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 3 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 6 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 3 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Double/Double, Warning
Holland/McDonough, London Town
Miller, Aiden’s Song
Tween/Taylor, Funky March* (Optional piano accompt.)
Group B (unaccompanied)
McDonough, Funkylicious
Salmins, V is for Vernel
Grade 6 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 3 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 7 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 4 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Miller, Jaxon’s Jump
Riley/Staples, Undertow
Taylor/McDonough, So It Is
Tween/Taylor, Good Gadd* (Optional piano accompt.)
Group B (unaccompanied)
Riley, 9 by 3
Salmins, Line ’em Up
Grade 7 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 4 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
Grade 8 Pieces
Three pieces are to be played, two pieces from group A and one piece from group B. Instead of the group B piece, candidates may offer an own composition.
The following pieces are all contained in the book Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 4 2014–2019 (Trinity)
Group A (to be played with CD)
Riley/Staples, Frantic
Robinson/Dutton, Odd One Out
Salmins Brazil, Overture
Weckl/Weingart, Crossing Paths
Group B (unaccompanied)
Robinson, Fusion Illusion
Whitfield, Turkish Delight
Grade 8 Technical work
Candidate to prepare all three exercises from Pieces and Exercises for Drum Kit 4 2014–2019 (Trinity). The candidate will choose one exercise to play first; the examiner will then select one of the remaining two exercises to be performed. Exercises may be played either from memory or using the printed music.
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