AIM Requirements

ISMTA Achievement in Music for piano is an exciting and motivating program that helps develop students who perform musically and understand music theory. Technique, repertoire, and theory are essential components of AIM.  There are twelve levels in the program with Level 1 subdivided into three parts.  Students generally prepare one level each year and demonstrate their competency at the yearly exam.  At Levels 1A, 1B, 1C, and II theory, technique, and repertoire requirements are evaluated at one exam, usually held in the spring.  At Level III and above, theory skills are evaluated at a separate exam held before the performance exam.

Students benefit by having specific goals at every level and teachers and parents appreciate an independent evaluation of the student's progress.  Students are not in competition against other students, but are judged individually on their performance.  Upon passing each level, students receive a certificate and pin.

Theory Skills

Theory skills evaluated in the exams include: sight reading, transposition, harmonization, aural skills, and writing.  Many teachers prepare students using the AIM Workbooks by Karen Rogers available from the state office (217-398-4199). ISMTA member, LeAnn Halvorson also has written a series of AIM books and ear training CD's available at her website, www.musicperceptions.com.  For more ear training outside of the lesson, check out www.musictheory.net or www.good-ear.com .

Technique Skills

Technique skills progress from five-finger patterns in lower levels to scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in upper levels.

 Some of the Technical requirements for each level (see syllabus for complete technical requirements): 

1A: Pentascales, legato, hands separately

1B: Pentascales, legato, staccato, hands separately or together

1C: Pentascales, legato, staccato, hands separately or together

II : Pentascales and two-note slur scales, hands together

III : one octave scales

IV: two octave scales in eighth notes, MM=88 (quarter note)

V: two octave scales in eighth notes, MM=88

VI: two octave scales in eighth notes, MM=100

VII: three octave scales in triplets, MM=88

VIII: four octave scales in sixteenths, MM=72

IX: four octave scales in sixteenths, MM=88

X: four octave scales in sixteenths, MM=96

XI: four octave scales in sixteenths, MM=108

XII: four octave scales in sixteenths, MM=120

Repertoire

Students progress from performing two memorized pieces of the teacher's choosing in the early levels to selecting pieces from the syllabus representing each musical period and even performing recital for level twelve.

 There are thousands of pieces from which to choose in the syllabus.  Here are some examples for each level:

Level IA, IB, IC:  Two contrasting pieces from good study books and solos of musical value.

Level II: Two contrasting pieces. for example: Haydn Quadrille in C and Kabalevsky Op. 39 No. 1

Level III: Beethoven Russian Folk Song, Op. 107: Goldston "Fantastic Fingers"

Level IV: [Perform Three pieces]:  For example, Couperin Le petit Rien Op. 14/7: Mozart Allegro K. 3: Bartok, For Children Vol. 1 No. 2

Level V: Bach Musette (D) BWV Anh. 126:  Clementi Sonatina Op. 36, No. 2 any mvt. :  Schumann op. 68 #16, First Loss

Level VI: Handel Sonatina B. 60/27:   Diabelli Sonatina Op. 168 No. 1 first or second mvt. :  Bloch Enfantines No. 8 Rainy Day

Level VII: Scarlatti Sonata K. 40, L. 357:   Kulau Sonatina Op. 20, No. 1 first or last mvt. :  Copland Sunday Afternoon Music

Level VIII: Telemann Bourree (F):    Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 No. 2  either mvt.  :   Chopin Mazurka Op. 68, No. 3

Level IX:  Bach, English Suite (Bourree, a min.) BWV 773:   Haydn Sonata Hob. XVI:34, 3rd Mvt.:   Joplin The Entertainer (original)

Level X:  [Perform four pieces]  Rameau La Villageoise:   Mozart Sonata K. 283, 1st or 3rd mvt.:  Liszt Consolations #2 (E):   Prokofieff Gavotte Op. 32 No.3

Level XI:  Bach Prelude and Fugue #9 from Book I of Well-Tempered Clavier:  Beethoven Sonata Op. 14 No. 2, 1st mvt. :     Brahms Intermezzi Op. 76 No. 6:   Debussy Prelude from Pour le Piano

Level XII:  Bach Prelude and Fugue #3 from Book II of Well-Tempered Clavier:  Beethoven Sonata Op. 28 1st mvt. :  Chopin Etude Op. 25 #2:   Ravel Sonatine 1st mvt.