Electronic Keyboard

About LCME Electronic Keyboard Exams

Exam levels
Exam formats

Alongside traditional graded exams, we also provide alternatives to our standard examination format designed to offer something different to our diverse range of candidates:

  • Graded exam - performance of three pieces, technical work, accompanying or chord sequence test, a discussion and aural tests.
  • Recital Grade – an exam entirely or predominantly performance-based
  • Leisure Play – a performance of four pieces, with an optional own-choice piece
  • Performance Award – a performance-based assessment by video submission
  • Concert – (diplomas level only) an entirely performance-based exam

LCME Electronic Keyboard Syllabus 2021

The LCME Electronic Keyboard Syllabus 2021 and accompanying handbooks come with an exciting repertoire to master at each level, a discussion section, and an accompanying test.

DOWNLOAD THE SYLLABUS (PDF)

The specially commissioned pieces encompass a range of styles from Irish folk to Latin bossa novas, New Orleans jazz and classical piano styles. These pieces focus on developing good keyboard management skills while encouraging a greater knowledge of chords, keys and using advanced keyboard features such as keyboard split, full keyboard/pianist mode and on bass.

The handbooks contain all the material you need for each component of the exam and can be purchased from our online shop.

Changes and Updates

Along with the repertoire, each handbook contains a pictorial chord dictionary to help with the new chords encountered when learning the pieces.

Discussion topics have been updated to cover instrument functions and techniques – knowledge which is integral to becoming a competent keyboard player.

The revised accompanying test is set to be a popular choice. The test now incorporates the use of the keyboard’s rhythm style, offering the opportunity to try out more of the keyboard’s functions within an ensemble setting.

While all the changes help develop a well-rounded musician, the joy of making music remains at the heart of the syllabus.

Validity

Please note that the 2021 syllabus is valid until further notice.

List of errata

  • The 2021-2024 Electronic Keyboard Grade 7 Handbook, on page 11, requires 3 octaves of the Chromatic contrary motion scales when it should say 2 octaves. Please refer to the syllabus for the most up-to-date exam information.

  • In the 2021-2024 Electronic Keyboard Handbook Step 2 (Instrumental Solo), on the song "Roundabout Rang", the bar 8 chord should be G7 instead of C7.

Resources

Also available

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What’s in the exam

Pre-Grade 1

Exam content

Steps:

  • Technical work
  • Performance (2 pieces)
  • Questions
Grades

Exam content

  • Technical work
  • Performance (3 pieces)
  • Discussion
  • Chord sequence/Accompanying test
  • Aural tests
Leisure Play

Exam content

  • Performance (4 pieces)
Recital Grades

Exam content

  • Performance (4 pieces)
  • Additional piece/Chord sequence or Accompanying test/Discussion
DipLCM

Exam content

Standard:

  • Performance
  • Discussion
  • Sight reading

Recital:

  • Performance
  • Discussion/Sight reading

Concert:

  • Performance
ALCM

Exam content

Standard:

  • Performance
  • Discussion
  • Sight reading

Recital:

  • Performance
  • Discussion/Sight reading

Concert:

  • Performance
LLCM

Exam content

Standard:

  • Performance
  • Discussion
  • Sight Reading

Recital:

  • Performance
  • Discussion/Sight Reading

Concert:

  • Performance
FLCM

Exam content

  • Performance
  • Programme notes
DipLCM Teaching

Exam content

ALCM Teaching

Exam content

LLCM Teaching

Exam content