Practical Musicianship Exams

[MumsMeaningfulMayhem]

Looking for a bit of advice please

We're thinking of getting DD12 to attempt the Practical Musicianship Exam path to grade 5 instead of what has proven to be an immense struggle of preparing her for grade 5 theory of music so she can move on beyond Gr5 with her practical exams.

Having taken a look at the ABRSM syllabus it looks manageable for DD in comparison to the theory.
Have any of your children taken this exam? What was the experience like for them. I appreciate all musicians are different, etc, but it would be useful to get a range of opinions if that's possible please
TIA

[starray]

I would like to know this too! It certainly seems like a more interesting way to learn music theory.

[djangostrings]

My daughter did this exam, but I'm a jazz musician and was able to prepare her myself so not a typical situation.

It is true that it's less like daunting unpleasant "book work" than G5 theory. However it's still got some of that typical ABRSM academic dryness about it. The tasks are quite short and focused, you're put on the spot to get things technically right in a very yes/no fashion that is not really in keeping with the spirit of how improvisation and musicianship work in the real world. And some of the tasks are more like extensions of classical sight reading, obviously thought up by people from a very classical background trying to go outside of academic ways of thinking, but not really succeeding.

My advice to anyone looking to do it would probably be that everything depends on the teacher. Improvising and "thinking musically" on your instrument are a mentality, above all else. They're not just another set of techniques that you can tack onto a lesson like scales, sight reading etc. It's a mentality that few classical teachers really have. If you're lucky enough to have one who does - or if you have access to anyone else that could help prepare them outside of thir instrumental lessons - then go for it! If not, be wary. Theory may be boring, but it's predictable and measurable and if you go through the motions, you can be confident of passing.

I also note that the G5 theory specification has recently been revised, making it a bit more approachable. The exam's now online and the published materials are a lot more up to date. Not sure whether PM has been revised, or whether there are any plans t do so. I suspect not as it has very few takers so isn't really worth them investing in.

[MumsMeaningfulMayhem]

Thanks for the input above
My daughter is working through the Practical Musicianship Gr1 - 3 book and so far it is proving to suit her skills far more than the Theory syllabus.
Much to my surprise (and MUCH to her delight!) she's picking up the new skills speedily and easily so far.
I'm anticipating the challenge of the higher grades, but considering what a struggle it was to get her to Gr3 theory standard, compared with the ease of which she's arrived at Gr3 PM, I'm hoping it's a worthwhile gamble.
We will see