Woodwind

Woodwind: Flute/Piccolo, Oboe/English Horn, Clarinet (Bb/A, Eb, Bass), Saxophone (Sop. Alto, Tenor, Bar.), and Bassoon.

How can I determine my playing level?

LAYP Playing LevelCM LevelRCM GradeABRSM Grade
5-64-54-53-4
7-106-86-85-6
11-129-119-107-8
Our Playing Level 5-6 are similar to RCM Grade 4-5 or ABRSM Grade 3-4
Our Playing Level 7-10 are similar to RCM Grade 6-8 or ABRSM Grade 5-6
Our Playing Level 11-12 are similar to RCM Grade 9-10 or ABRSM Grade 7-8
CM syllabus can be purchased at the MTAC Teacher Portal store.
Click here to see RCM syllabus.
Click here to see ABRSM syllabus

Q: I’m participating in a certificate or competition program other than CM, RCM, ABRSM, ASTACAP, SYMF, Satori, WMCF, etc. How can I determine my playing level in this case?

A: Discuss this playing level (above) with your private instructor, teacher, section coach, or director. They can easily determine your playing level using this chart.

LAYP Playing Level 5 – 6 Audition Requirements
Once you’ve determined your playing level, choose one of the following audition types.

Audition Type 1: This option is suitable for you if you have participated in a certificate program, such as CM, RCM, ABRSM, etc., or if you take private lessons at a location like your home, a private studio, institute, conservatory, school, music academy, community music program. It’s also ideal if you participate in ensembles such as a local youth orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, community orchestra/band, or school orchestra/band.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic in one, one & half, or two octaves (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
3. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
Etude1. Play one etude.
2. If it’s shorter than 24 measures, add another etude.
Solo1. Play one solo piece.
2. If it’s shorter than 24 measures, add another solo piece.
Length1. The video length will depend on your etude and solo piece.
2. Suggested length: 3-7 minutes

Audition Type 2: This option may be suitable for you if you have participated in a school music program, such as concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, marching band, or full orchestra, while also taking private lessons.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic scale in one, one & half, or two octaves (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If you’re playing multiple pieces in different keys, choose one key to demonstrate.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
SelectionsChoose and play three short pieces from band method books like Essential Elements for Band or Standard of Excellence.
Excerpts1. Select and play three excerpts from band or orchestra music.
2. Excerpts from your current band/orchestra pieces are acceptable.
Length1. The video length will depend on your selections and excepts.
2. Suggested length: 3-7 minutes

Watch an example video of scale/arpeggio/chromatic:

Notes on Chromatic Scale:
1) You may start on a lower or higher playable note than the examples above, depending on your instrument’s range.
2) Play maximum octave range of your instrument.
3) You may play continuously without breaks between octaves.
LAYP Playing Level 7 – 10 Audition Requirements
Once you’ve determined your playing level, choose one of the following audition types.

Audition Type 1: This option is suitable for you if you have participated in a certificate program, such as CM, RCM, ABRSM, etc., or if you take private lessons at a location like your home, a private studio, institute, conservatory, school, music academy, community music program. It’s also ideal if you participate in ensembles such as a local youth orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, community orchestra/band, or school orchestra/band.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic across the maximum playable range (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
3. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
Solo1. Select a solo piece, such as an etude, sonata, variation, morceau de concert, or concerto.
2. Play one fast movement.
3. You may choose only half of the movement or just the  exposition section.
Length1. The video length will depend on your solo piece.
2. Suggested length: 3-15 minutes

Audition Type 2: This option may be suitable for you if you have participated in a school music program, such as full orchestra, concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, or marching band, while also taking private lessons.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic scale across maximum playable range (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If you play multiple pieces in different keys, choose one key to demonstrate.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
Excerpts1. Select and play three excerpts from band or orchestra music.
2. Excerpts from your current band/orchestra pieces are acceptable.
3. If these excerpts are too short, select and play additional excerpts.
Length1. The video length will depend on your excerpts.
2. Suggested length: 3-15 minutes.

LAYP Playing Level 11 – 12 Audition Requirements
Once you’ve determined your playing level, choose one of the following audition types.

Remember: Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, & chromatic at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it. To watch an example video of the scale, arpeggio, chromatic audition requirements, click here

Audition Type 1: This option is suitable for you if you have participated in a certificate program, such as CM, RCM, ABRSM, etc., or if you take private lessons at a location like your home, a private studio, institute, conservatory, school, music academy, community music program. It’s also ideal if you participate in ensembles such as a local youth orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, community orchestra/band, or school orchestra/band.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic across the maximum playable range (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
3. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
Solo1. Select a solo piece, such as an etude, sonata, variation, morceau de concert, or concerto from the LAYP’s suggested repertoire below.
2. Play one fast movement.
Length1. The video length will depend on your solo piece.
2. Suggested length: 5-15 minutes

* * *

FluteLAYP Playing Level 11 – 12 Suggested Repertoire
Carl StamitzFlute Concerto in G Major
A.VivaldiFlute Concerto in G Major RV. 438
G. P. TelemannFlute Concerto in G Major TWV51:G2
W. A. MozartFlute Concerto in G Major, K. 313
J. QuantzFlute Concerto in G Major
A.VivaldiFlute Concerto in C Major, RV 443   
Frederick the GreatFlute Concerto in C Major
C. P. E. BachFlute Concerto in D Minor
W. A. MozartFlute Concerto in D Major, K.314
D. CimarosaTwo Flute Concerto in G Major (Flute 1 or 2)
J. IbertFlute Concerto
1. Play only one fast movement (include the cadenza if applicable).
2. Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, and chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.

You can play any other comparable solo piece recommended by your private teacher.

OboeLAYP Playing Level 11 – 12 Suggested Repertoire
T. AlbinoniOboe Concerto in B-flat Major, Op. 7 No. 3
T. AlbinoniOboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 9 No. 2
J.S. BachOboe Concerto in F Major, BWV 1053
J.S. BachConcerto for Oboe and Violin in C Minor, BWV 1060: II. Adagio
J.C. BachOboe Concerto in F, W C81
C.P.E. BachOboe Concerto in B-flat Major, H. 466
C.P.E. BachOboe Concerto in E-Flat Major, H. 468
Johann Fr. FaschOboe Concerto, FaWV L:g1
C. FörsterOboe Concerto in C Minor
W. HerschelOboe Concerto No. 2 in C Major
Benedetto MarcelloOboe Concerto in C Minor
G.B. SammartiniOboe Concerto in C, Op. 8 No. 4
G.P. TelemannConcerto in C Minor, TWV 51:c1
G.P. TelemannConcerto in G Major, TWV 51:G3
A.VivaldiOboe Concerto in D Major, RV. 453
A.VivaldiOboe Concerto in A Minor, RV. 461
A.VivaldiOboe Concerto in C Major, RV. 450
A. VivaldiOboe Concerto in F Major, RV. 455
G.F. HandelOboe Concerto in G Minor, HWV. 287
G.F. HandelOboe Concerto in B-flat Major, HWV. 301
J. HaydnOboe Concerto in C Major, Hob. VIIg: C1 (Ignaz Malzat)
W.A. MozartOboe Concerto in C Major, K. 314/271K
Peter von WinterOboe Concerto No. 2 in F Major
N.Rimsky-KorsakovVariations on a Theme by Glinka for Oboe and Wind Band
International Music Co.’s Catalog – Oboe and Piano
1. Play only one fast movement (include the cadenza if applicable).
2. Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, and chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.

You can play any other comparable solo piece recommended by your private teacher.

ClarinetLAYP Playing Level 11 – 12 Suggested Repertoire
Carl StamitzClarinet Concerto No. 3 in B-flat Major
Carl Stamitz Clarinet Concerto Nos. 1-11
Bernhard CrusellClarinet Concerto Nos.1-2
Franz  HoffmeisterClarinet Concerto in B-flat Major
Franz KrommerClarinet Concerto in E-flat Op.36 (1803)
W. A. Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
Ignaz Pleyel Clarinet Concerto in C Major
G. RossiniVariations for Clarinet and Orchestra
G. RossiniConcerto for Two Clarinets and Orchestra in E-flat Major
Louis SpohrClarinet Concerto Nos. 1-4 
Carl Maria von WeberClarinet Concerto Nos. 1-2
Carl NielsenClarinet Concerto, Op. 57
Aaron CoplandClarinet Concerto
1. Play only one fast movement (include the cadenza if applicable).
2. Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, and chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.

You can play any other comparable solo piece recommended by your private teacher.

BassoonLAYP Playing Level 11 -12 Suggested Repertoire
A.VivaldiBassoon Concerto in G Minor
W.A. MozartBassoon Concerto in B-flat Major
J.C. BachBassoon Concerto in E-flat Major
GraupnerBassoon Concerto in G Major
BoismortierBassoon Concerto in G Major
Carl StamitzBassoon Concerto in F Major
W.A. MozartBassoon Concerto in B-flat Major
C.M.von WeberBassoon Concerto, Op. 75
1. Play only one fast movement (include the cadenza if applicable).
2. Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, and chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.

You can play any other comparable solo piece recommended by your private teacher.

SaxophoneClick Here for the RCM Repertoire & Playing Level
1. Play only one fast movement (include the cadenza if applicable).
2. Play the scale, tonic arpeggio, and chromatic as fast as possible to demonstrate fluency in the key of your solo audition piece before performing it.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.

* * *

Audition Type 2: This option may be suitable for you if you have participated in a school music program, such as concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, marching band, or full orchestra, while also taking private lessons.

Scale1. Play a scale, arpeggio (tonic), and chromatic scale across maximum playable range (ascending & descending) at the suggested tempo (quarter note = 100–144), or as fast as possible to show fluency in the key of your solo piece.
2. If you play multiple pieces in different keys, choose one key to demonstrate.
3. If your solo piece is in a minor key, play the melodic minor scale.
4. For atonal or non-traditional pieces, play either F-sharp major or E-flat melodic minor scale.
Solo and Excerpts1. Play one etude or solo piece from progressive studies or method books.
2. Select and play three excerpts from band or orchestra music.
3. If these excerpts are too short, select and play additional excerpts.
Length1. The video length will depend on your solo and excerpts.
2. Suggested length: 5-15 minutes