Grade 3 Examination
The Grade 3 examination presents the same Performance and Repertoire requirements as the Grade 2 examination,
however at Grade 3 the inclusion of some simple forms of ornamentation is required, such as the cut, slide or triplet for
example, although the candidate should always include forms of ornamentation which are appropriate to their
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instrument. Ornamentation should be included in all tunes performed during the examination. The pieces presented for
a Grade 3 examination should be more varied than at Grade 2 and should include examples of more demanding tune
types such as the hornpipe, jig (double, slip or single), slide or reel. The performances should be fluent, stylish and from
memory, and all tunes should be played twice through with repeats observed where appropriate.
The Supplementary Tests component is more demanding than that at Grade 2, and requires the candidate to (i) beat
time (clap or foot tap) in any tune type (ii) identify a greater number of tune types (iii) play, hum or lilt from memory
one phrase of a simple air or polka after the examiner has performed it twice (iv) identify a greater number of
instruments from audio extracts, and (v) describe the candidate’s own instrument in detail and name two prominent
players of the instrument as well as any prominent group of Irish traditional musicians.