Levels & Grades
The Encore programme consists of seven levels. These levels correspond to the grading system followed by popular international music exam boards. Encore follows the Trinity College London board when it comes to graded exams, however, the requirements and expectations of most popular boards are similar in nature.
The below section describes the levels, indicative time frame for completing each level and the expected amount of time the student is expected to practise during those levels. Please note that the level completion time frame mentioned is an indicative number and depends largely on the amount of practise time and to some extent, the individual capabilities of each student. For ideal results, students are expected to practise at least 5 days a week as per the practise duration suggested for each level.
For detailed learning outcomes of each level/grade please visit the Learning Outcomes page.
Foundation
Grade: Initial-
This level introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of music, right from note reading to playing simple pieces with both hands in a reasonably secure manner.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 20 – 45 mins/day
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Time frame: 8 – 15 months
Beginner
Grade: 1-
The student will continue building on the fundamentals to prepare for more challenging repertoire.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 30 – 45 mins/day
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Time frame: 1 yr
Advanced Beginner
Grades: 2 & 3-
The student will apply the concepts learnt at the first two levels to more challenging repertoire delivering a secure performance
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 45 – 60 mins/day
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Time frame: 2 yrs
Early Intermediate
Grades: 4 & 5-
The student will be introduced to music from four musical periods – Baroque, Classical, Romantic & Modern and will learn to perform these with reasonable character of the respective periods.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 1 hr per day
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Time frame: 2 yrs
Intermediate
Grades: 6 & 7-
The student will be learning and performing more complex pieces pieces from great composers of the four musical periods which they had been introduced to in the previous level.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 1 – 1½ hrs per day
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Time frame: 2 yrs
Late Intermediate
Grade: 8-
The student will be introduced to Post Romantic, 20th & 21st Century works of great composers and will be performing pieces from all the musical periods they have learnt so far.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 1½ – 2 hrs per day
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Time frame: 1 yr
Early Advanced
Pre-Uni-
This level has been developed by Encore for students who wish to pursue their piano education beyond Grade 8. The Early Advanced Level acts as a bridge between Grade 8 and diploma/university level piano programmes and ensures students are equipped for taking on the demands of a full-fledged piano performance degree at a university.
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4 x 60min 1-on-1 sessions per month
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Expected practise time: 2 – 4 hrs per day
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Time frame: 1 yr