ABRSM has developed the first ever exam repertoire lists for pianists playing with one hand

The new syllabus covers Grades 1 to 5 and features 62 pieces including music by Chopin, Sartorio, Arlen & Harburg and emerging composers.

The syllabus was developed by ABRSM to increase accessibility and repertoire choice, and also includes seven new commissions after research revealed a shortage in the existing repertoire of pieces written for one hand. It is designed to inspire people who play one-handed to play and progress through a graded exam pathway and was developed for ABRSM’s Performance Grades in conjunction with composers and consultants including Nicholas McCarthy, the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music.

The syllabus is thought to be the first of its kind ever developed. However, composers have written one-handed piano pieces for decades. The most famous commissioner of one-handed repertoire was Paul Wittgenstein (1887-1961) after he became a right-arm amputee during WW1.

ABRSM’s Head of Assessment and Curriculum, Ali Bowen-Davies says, 'These new repertoire lists for Performance Grades are a landmark in piano assessment, reflecting our belief that music learning and performance should be available to everyone. We hope it will open up the world of piano playing for people with a range of upper limb differences and impairments, as well as highlighting repertoire for any students who have temporarily lost the use of their arm or hand, providing a way for them to continue with their piano studies.'

Pianist and syllabus consultant Nicholas McCarthy (pictured above), continues: ‘I’ve loved being the lead consultant on such an exciting project. As a concert pianist who happens to have one hand, it’s very close to my heart.'

Pieces featured include a Chopin prélude, Arlen & Harburg’s classic, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Voice of Spring by Venetian composer Sartorio. The lists were also developed with support from the OHMI Trust and include commissions from participants in ABRSM’s Composer Mentoring Programme which provides opportunities for composers from under-represented backgrounds with a focus on writing music for education.