Creating your Digital exam video

This article provides essential guidance on how to successfully record and submit your Trinity digital music exam. It covers key requirements for video format, filming environment, accompaniment, file handling, and technical standards.

Before You Start Recording

• Continuous Performance: our video must be one continuous recording that includes all required exam elements, such as pieces/songs and technical work. 
• Editing, pausing, or stopping the recording mid performance will invalidate the submission.
• Video Format: Acceptable formats are MP4 or MOV. Turn off high-definition (HD) or select the lowest available HD setting to keep the file size manageable.
• File Naming: Name your file using this format: ForenameSurname_ClassicalInstrument_GradeNumber (e.g. SamSmith_ClassicalPiano_Grade5).
• Legal Music Copies: Your books or legally downloaded music must be in shot. If using a digital copy, show the watermark clearly to the camera.

Filming Setup

• Camera Placement: Position the camera to ensure your full body, face, and instrument are visible. Follow instrument-specific angles (e.g., drum kit side angle, piano side view).
• Lighting: Ensure good lighting without backlighting. Avoid silhouettes.
• Sound: Do a soundcheck to confirm clarity and volume. External microphones may be used, but only one, and no post-production edits like reverb, compression, or EQ.
• Environment: Choose a quiet space, silence all devices, and ensure adequate battery and storage.

Accompaniment & Backing Tracks

General Rules:

• Recorded accompaniments must be clearly audible and played via an external speaker.
• Ensure a good balance between the instrument/voice and the track.

Drum Kit and Rock & Pop Drums – Use of Headphones:

Candidates may use headphones during the performance to follow the backing track. If headphones are used, a splitter must be used so that the backing track can be heard by both the candidate and in the room for the recording.

Technical Work Filming (Classical and Jazz exams in the Technical pathway)

• Music must be closed and removed for scales/arpeggios, or other items that must be performed from memory. 
• A prompt sheet of required items is allowed but must only include titles and relevant technical details. 
• If using a prompt, hold it clearly up to the camera before beginning.

Optional Equipment and Techniques

• Separate recording of Audio and Video is permitted if recorded simultaneously and merged unedited. The audio must be unprocessed and synchronised with the video.
• Microphones: A single external mic is allowed, multiple mic setup or studio rigs are not allowed.

File Submission

• Size Limits: Recommended maximum is 1GB (2GB for diplomas).
• Compression: If uploading from a phone/tablet, use a compression app if needed.
• Backups: Do not delete your video until you receive your result and certificate.

Important Restrictions

• No cueing: Verbal or non-verbal cues, pulse counts, or additional instruments are not permitted.
  
• No Resubmission: You may not reuse the same video unless asked by Trinity.
• Copyright: Do not share your video online unless you have appropriate copyright permissions.

See also:
Digital Submission Guidance

Exam Formats (Face-to-Face / Digital)