MusicOnline UK Teaching Notes - ABRSM Piano 2019/20 Grade 1 - C3

Egyptian Level

Kevin Wooding

ABRSM Grade 1 Piano 2019 - 2020.

Teaching Notes:

In the footnotes of the ABRSM edition, the composer himself is quoted as saying, "you must make this piece as smooth and snaky as you possibly can". A good legato in the RH is essential for a high mark, being particularly careful of the stretches between B flat and C sharp. This however, is in contrast to the staccato 5ths chords in the LH, which should not be too overpowering.

Another area the examiner will be looking out for is control of dynamics. In bars 7 & 8 for example, there is a  gradual diminuendo, but in the following bar it returns suddenly to forte.

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Be careful with the tempo changes on the last line. After the  poco rit  in bar 12, you need to make sure you return to the original tempo of the opening. Also in bar 12, notice the rest in the LH, make sure the last two quavers of the RH are on their own. 

The sustain pedal for the last three bars is essential, even though not often found in Grade 1, in order to keep the lower harmonies sounding as you play the last high RH chord. Once again there is a poco rit  and the final chord has a pause on it. Let this chord ring on for its full length, disappearing to nothing with a very soft pp touch.