American Band College Music Grading Chart

Grade 1 2 3 4 5
Meter Simple: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c , C 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c, C, 6/8 (easy 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, c , C, 6/8, 9/8. Add: 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, asymmetrical Any meter or combination of
compound) easy changing/asymmetrical meter (5/8, 7/8), changing meter meter.
One to three flats None to four flats One sharp to six flats Any key
Key Signature (Key of C-end of year)
None to five flats

Tempo AndanteModerato (72-120) Andante-Allegro (72-132) Largo-Allegro (56-144) Largo-Presto (44-168) Largo-Prestissimo (44-208)
ritard, accel. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall. ritard, accel., rall.

w . .
J
As in Grade 1 plus simple 16th All values in duple excluding All values in duple Complex duple and compound
Note/Rest Value note patterns and triplets complex syncopation plus easy All values in compound rhythms
compound rhythms.
Simple; mostly unison rhythm Add simple syncopation & well- Basic duple and triple syncopa- All rhythms except complex All rhythms
Rhythm (dotted rhythm end of year) prepared dotted rhythms. More tion, dotted rhythms. compound or complex 16th
use of non-unison rhythms. note syncopation.

p to f p, mp, mf, f ppp to fff ppp to fff, cross dynamics,

Dynamics short cresc, decresc.
pp to ff
cresc., decresc., sfz, fp broad cresc, decresc. broad cresc., decresc.
Attack, release, slurs, Attack, release, slurs, staccato, Attack, release, slurs, staccato, Two or more articulations simul- All forms of articulation.
Articulation staccato, accent accent, legato accent, legato, tenuto. taneous in the ensemble.

None Simple trills and single grace Trills with entry or exit grace Trills, turns, mordents Trills, turns, mordents
Ornaments notes. notes, double or triple grace
note figures.
Limited color combinations Independent contrapuntal Solos (fl, cl, sax, tpt, bar) Full range of instrumentation, Full range of instrumentation,
Scoring (clar-tpt, sax-tpt) Very limited lines, limited exposed parts, 1 Exposed woodwind or brass. exposed parts for any instrument. exposed parts for any instrument,
part division within sections (possibly 2) horn parts. 2-part horns. mutiple solo/contrapuntal lines.

Length 1 to 3 minutes 2 to 5 minutes 3 to 7 minutes 6 minutes + Any length

Exposed solos, divisi tbn or
horn parts, clarinet crossing
Things to Avoid the break, frequent meter
changes, key changes, chang-
ing syncopated rhythms.
Frequent key changes, frequent Extreme low and high regis- Extremes of range Limited only by player ability.
meter changes, wide range for ters, technical playing for 3rd
3rd parts. players. Difficult oboe or bas-
soon solos.

Pitched: bells. Non-pitched: Add: Pitched: chimes, xylo- All common non-pitched All instruments. Wide range of All instruments. Wide range
triangle, tambourine, cymbals, phone. Non-pitched: timpani. special effects. of special effects with diverse
Percussion Usage woodblock, snare, bass drum. Special effects on cymbals.
Latin and traditional percus-
sion. Limit range of special requirements for each mem-
Limited use of special effects.

effects. ber of section.

w b
Flute
Whole notes indicate end-


of-year, advanced range.
b 5 5

Oboe b b b b
w b b
Bassoon 3 3

b b b
Whole notes indicate end-

w
of-year, advanced range.
w
Clarinet b
w
Whole notes indicate end-

w
of-year, advanced range.

w
b
9

Alto/Bass Clarinet
Whole notes indicate end-
w
of-year, advanced range.
w
Saxophones
Whole notes indicate end- b b

of-year, advanced range.

Trumpet w
Whole notes indicate end-
b # # # #

of-year, advanced range.
Horn bw ?
w &

Whole notes indicate end-

of-year, advanced range.
b b
Trombone/Baritone b
b

Tuba
Revised 3/1/00
b