Does it matter what instrument I use?

Graded Music Exams > Exam content / procedure

The repertoire set for each syllabus has been chosen as particularly suitable for performance on that instrument. It is therefore recommended that candidates providing their own instrument should use one that best facilitates performance of the selected repertoire, particularly with regards to advanced techniques or set-up at higher grades. Using an inappropriate instrument may mean that you cannot demonstrate the required techniques and elements of style for the pieces chosen, and this may be reflected in the marks.

However, candidates taking an electric guitar exam up to and including Grade 3 can use an acoustic instrument without penalty (and vice versa).

It is not permitted to play a piece from a different syllabus on that instrument in your exam, with the following exceptions:

• acoustic guitar in an electric guitar exam up to Grade 3
• electric guitar in an acoustic guitar exam up to Grade 3
• keys in a piano exam up to Grade 3
• piano in a keys exam up to Grade 3

All other instances of this will receive a mark of zero.