Exam Prep with Saxtet: How to Smash Those Exams!

There are many great reasons for taking a music grade exam. Although the exam can be a daunting prospect, working towards the exam can provide a great focus when it comes to improving your playing. 

The sense of reward when getting that certificate is a great feeling! This is a core part of effective music exam preparation, as it gives you a tangible goal to reach for during your practice sessions.

What are the Academic Benefits of Music Exams?

Music exams also provide other benefits such as UCAS points. Once you get past grade 5, grades 6-8 can also provide between 8 – 30 UCAS points per grade. 

UCAS points can help you get into your university of choice but also this is  evidence that playing a musical instrument to a high standard is highly valued by almost all universities, regardless of whether you are studying music or not. 

How Are Music Exams Structured?

The exam boards all follow a similar structure of three pieces and then some supporting tests which may include scales, technical tests, sight-reading, aural tests.

In the early ABRSM exam preparation stages,  you may choose to use the anthologies produced by the ABRSM. These usually contain three pieces from each list in one publication. 

Can You Choose Your Own Pieces?

You can pick a mixture of pieces from the anthology and from those outside the anthology. Perhaps they are pieces that suit your style of playing better or are just pieces you love playing! 

Once you get past grade 5 these anthologies are not available, so it’s definitely time to start choosing from the fabulous list of works and putting together an exciting and balanced musical programme. Many of Saxtet’s works are featured on the ABRSM, TCM and TCM Jazz grade syllabi. These include pieces for saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe. 

Should You Prioritise Scales or Technical Studies?

As well as the all important three pieces, there are also either scales or technical studies, depending on which exam board you choose to go with. Traditionally scales have been included in all exams but recently TCM exams have introduced some changes. 

In grades 1-5 students can choose between scales and technical exercises that incorporate scales and arpeggios into more melodic and fun studies.  In grades 6-8, saxophonists must do scales, but other woodwind instruments can choose to perform orchestral extracts instead. 

When Should You Start Practicing Scales?

With ABRSM exam preparation, scales are required throughout grades 1-8. It’s good practice to start work on these scales either before you start your pieces or at the same time as your pieces. That way they don’t creep up on you nearer the time! 

Whether you choose ABRSM or TCM exams, practicing the scales and arpeggios set for the exam is a great way to start. Getting your fingers used to the sharps and flats of the relevant keys will help you play pieces accurately. They also help with other elements of the exam, such as sight-reading.

Can You Play Duets in Your Exam?

One of the exciting new additions to the ABRSM saxophone syllabus is the option to play duets. This could be with your teacher or peer. Alastair Penman’s Stepping Out – Ten Easy Duets for Saxophone features works on the grade 1 and 2 syllabus. 

The TCM syllabus has had the option of duets for a few years now and the same book features works for grades 1, 2 and 3. Playing duets with students can really help tone development and intonation. For ABRSM grade 3, why not use the Polonoise from Nigel Wood’s arrangement of Telemann’s Four Easy Duets? This set of studies will help develop tone control, intonation and a more classical style of playing.

Which Pieces Help Develop Phrasing and Improvisation?

Karen Street’s Streets Ahead has been a mainstay on exam syllabi for many years, and this super accessible set of works feature on TCM Jazz Saxophone grades 2- 4. These works really develop a student’s phrasing across the range of the saxophone.

Similarly Chris Gumbley’s Cops, Caps & Cadillacs features works on the TCM Jazz Saxophone grade 2 and 4 and has the advantage of MP3 play-along tracks to help you get used to playing with the accompaniment. These works also have optional improvisation sections, a vital skill to develop for any musician.

What Are the Best Resources for Early Grades?

Other early grade pieces include the Andante from Christian Forshaw’s lovely arrangement of Elgar’s violin studies Exercices trés faciles which feature on the TCM grade 1 list. Also in the early grades, we have Gerard McChrystal’s original work “Celtic Kids” (TCM Jazz Saxophone Grade 2) from the fabulous Sax Scorchers study book. 

This study book provides material that lasts, containing works up to TCM Grade 8. These studies help develop phrasing, breathing, articulation, and advanced techniques like multiphonics. Another great title is Mick Foster’s Jazz Gallery, offering melodic pieces for ABRSM Grade 2 and 3.

How Can Study Books Improve Your Technique?

Music Practice Techniques often rely on study books because they focus on specific aspects of playing, such as false fingerings or articulation. One of our most popular is 15 Crazy Jazz Studies, featuring 10 different works on the TCM Jazz Saxophone grades 5-8.

Works like Crazy Hepcats (grade 6) focus on dynamics, while Merry-go-Round (grade 7) challenges your accidental reading. Double Density Disorder (grade 8) is an exercise in quick octave key work. Karen Street’s Street Beats is another classic, with 9 studies appearing in syllabi from grades 4-7.

Looking for Lyrical or Technical Pieces?

For developing a beautiful tone, a ballad works well. From Saxtet Publications, these include All Because of You, Song Without Words, and Dreams of You (ABRSM/TCM Grade 8). These reflective works provide balance to an exam programme.

Regarding Music Exam Preparation for ABRSM, where each piece is worth 30 of the 150 marks, we suggest Nigel Wood’s Silver Chalice (grade 5) or Jab Jab (grade 6). For grade 8, the second movement from Mick Foster’s October Dances and Eddie from Carlos Lopez-Real’s Five Contemporary Etudes are impressive, challenging choices.

What Is Available for Flute, Clarinet, and Oboe?

As well as our saxophone coverage, we feature on the flute, clarinet, and oboe syllabi. Cops, Caps & Cadillacs features on TCM Jazz Flute and Clarinet. For ABRSM, Boogie Woogie Sleigh Ride is a fun addition for a Christmas-time Clarinet grade 3 exam!

Oboists should look at Annabel Connellan’s A Rag for Niamh, which was recently added to the ABRSM grade 8 syllabus. It is a challenging but fun addition to the standard repertoire.

Finally, good luck if you choose to take music exams and remember to focus on all elements of the exam, not just the three pieces!

Below is a list of all the Saxtet Publications titles on the ABRSM, TCM and TCM Jazz syllabi, as of April 2026.

Please always check with the exam board’s own syllabus for current repertoire lists.