There are a number of UK examination boards for piano exams, and between them they offer students a choice of syllabus. Some piano teachers use more than one board; other teachers favour the syllabus of one board only.

The main examination boards are shown below and the syllabus can normally be downloaded from the web sites. Alternatively, many music shops stock copies of the syllabus for the main boards.

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

Trinity Guildhall

Rockschool

London College of Music

Victoria College of Music

As well as the established system of Grade 1-8 examinations, some boards also offer a variety of less formal assessments for students who are new to learning an instrument or who do not want to undertake formal examinations. At the other end of the spectrum, beyond Grade 8 lies the opportunity to take a Diploma, Licentiate and Fellowship, although very few students reach these heights!

The more advanced a student becomes, the more important it is to have a piano which is sensitive and responsive to the touch, enabling the student to fully express the composer’s intentions.

Knowing how important it is for students to have a piano which matches their skill level, The Piano Shop offers a part-exchange scheme. Under the scheme, anyone buying a piano from The Piano Shop may be able to sell it back at a fixed rate of depreciation, and also obtain a discount on an upgrade piano. If this scheme is of interest, we will be pleased to discuss the details with you for any piano you are interested in purchasing.

The Piano Shop is based in Leeds, Yorkshire, and sells traditional secondhand acoustic pianos throughout the UK and also overseas.
The Piano Shop also offers a removal service.