Jeanell Carrigan speaks about the AMEB Collaborative Piano options for Grades 5 - 8

Collaborative Pianist - a pianist who collaborates with another artist to the benefit of music.

The syllabus focuses on the pianists skills as well as skills required to collaborate with another performer including sound quality, technique, with the addition of ensemble skills. The ability to listen and respond. Play with your ears. Listen and react immediately to what you hear.

You need to make many decisions prior to the performance regarding legato, staccato length, dynamics, decisions on who will be pedalling. Will there be pedalling over a particular bar or not etc so that your performance demonstrates a collaboration.

Choose your associate artist wisely. It should be someone who has good command of their instrument at (beyond) the level of the piece so that your student can feel confident and relaxed and demonstrate their ensemble playing abilities. Your performance will be judged on both your pianistic abilities as well as the collaboration so if your associate is struggling with the piece it may be difficult to display your collaborative skills.

Teachers may play with their student. Only 1 associate artist & instrument to be used per exam. Eg If you have a person who can play both flute and violin to this standard you must choose only flute or only violin.