5. LRSM and FRSM Unit 1

What is Unit 1?
A filmed performance that gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate a combination of key performance-related skills such as: instrumental (or singing) technical control, musical interpretation, communication, and delivery, over a sustained programme of music. 
  • LRSM: 45 minutes (±10%)
  • FRSM: 55 minutes (±10%)
This is the total performance time, from the first note to the last and doesn't include initial tuning. Any further tuning during the performance counts towards the performance time. 
Woodwind, Brass and Singing candidates can take one break of up to four minutes for LRSM or five minutes for FRSM.

Choosing repertoire
Candidates must choose at least 50% of their repertoire from our repertoire lists. The rest of the programme can be own choice but this is optional. You could also choose all of the repertoire from our lists. 
If candidates want to perform more than 50% own choice music, they will need permission from us before they book their exam.  Own-choice repertoire can also include a candidate's composition or arrangement. Please read more about this in the Qualification Specification on page 11 and 12. 

How do we mark Unit 1?
The examiner first marks the pieces or songs out of 30 using the marking criteria on page 21 of the Qualification Specification. These criteria guide the examiner’s approach to writing comments - piece by piece - while listening, and are used to award a single mark to cover all works presented. Once the candidate has completed their progreamme, the examiner awards a mark out of 30 for the performance as a whole using the second set of criteria, also on page 21 of the Qualification Specification. Here the examiner assesses the entirety of the performance in terms of overall musical communication, interpretation and delivery. The marks are added together for a mark for Unit 1 out of 60. This is added to the mark for Unit 2 for the final mark for the qualification. 

Accompaniment
If music is published with an accompaniment, then the candidate must include this in their performance. Accompaniment can be provided by any suitable instrument(s), as long as the candidate is the main soloist throughout. It is the candidate’s responsibility to arrange accompanists and/or ensemble members. We do not allow pre-recorded accompaniments, unless originally intended by the composer.

Live audiences
We encourage candidates to perform to an audience at LRSM and FRSM levels, but this is not a requirement. Candidates should take into account whether to invite an audience and its intended size when choosing their venue and their option for Unit 2. 

Making the recording
Filming guidance is available on the ABRSM website. If you have filmed Performance Grades before, then the same guidance applies to the room layout, the view of the instrument etc. The performance must be recorded in one continuous take and must not be paused at any time. If the candidate is under the age of 18, the recording process must be overseen by a Responsible Adult who must be 18 or over. Both the candidate at the accompanist may bring a page-turner, if needed.