Sheet music review: Piano Grades Are Go! Grades 4-5

As its title suggests, this collection of pieces is intended for students for whom graded exams represent the backbone of their learning. Building on two previous volumes, its mission is to provide supplementary material which fits the musical and technical requirements for each grade, in this instance 4 and 5. Composed by Victoria Proudler, herself a teacher and examiner, the series aims to provide accessible material to encourage progress through the grades, drawing on a range of styles from baroque to jazz.

The content is well-presented and laid out, making it easy to read. Ample fingering, dynamics, phrasing, articulation and pedal markings are given to make the composer's intentions clear. The pedagogical focus of each piece is to develop a ‘superskill’, as the author describes it – for example, communicating character, working on tone quality, or mastering staccato touch. This recalls piano studies of previous generations which would each explore a particular aspect of technique.