Lesson Length For Grade 8..., ..realistically, can I do well in 20-40 minutes a week? Options

[superflute]

I'm planning on taking grade 8 flute in spring 2008, but I have peripatetic lessons which give me a measly 20 minutes a week. My teacher is going to put me before a blank slot, so I should end up with 40 minutes most of the time. I have a special sticker chart method so I practise all my scales and pieces plus orchestra music without getting overwhelmed, and try to do 45 minutes - 1 and a half hours a night practise, but how feasible is a good result at grade 8 without as much input from my teachder as a lot of other people get?

[sarah-flute]

I know of folks who managed to get good marks for grade 8 in half hour shared slots, so yes, if you're willing to put the work in I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. Obviously more input from a good teacher is always favourable but it's doable; much will depend on your practice, but it sounds like you're prepared to do a fair amount - oh, and where you're starting from, but I assume your teacher wouldn't be suggesting it if you didn't have a chance of passing or had just done grade 3 or something (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) If you will get 40 minutes most weeks then that's quite a nice lesson length, 20 minutes would be a bit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) if it was every week but I think it'd still be possible. But the extra 20 mins... good on your teacher for sorting that out for you.

Sorry I can't exactly give a more informed opinion (too much of a scaredy cat to do grade 8 yet!) but I know others have done fine with a similar amount of lesson time.

edit: Much sympathy for someone thinking 20 minutes is suitable for grade 8 though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) thank goodness for your teacher!

[ffliwt]

20 minutes a week isn't really ideal, although that's all i had and i got a merit at grade 8 (was predicted a distinction though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) )
It's good that you're doing all the work, as at this level teachers are kind of mostly there for guidance - making sure rhythms are in place, telling you where to improve and pushing you to do the practising you need, rather than at lower levels where they have to take you through the piece and notes and rhythms and everything. Most of the improvment will come from your practising.
The extra slot sounds a good idea though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sarah-flute]

ps I've assumed from your posting that 1) your teacher is happy to have you do grade 8 and 2) you will usually have 40 mins... yes?

if in any doubt do talk to your teacher who I'm sure will be able to reassure you/help you. S/he may have managed this many times before!

[Rosemary7391]

I'm aiming for G8 in spring, and I have a half hour lesson. Go for it! Sounds like you'll be putting in the practise, so that should work just fine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[cat_loves_flute]

Yes, you'll be fine. From what you've said you work hard. I'm no grade 8 flautist but I practise a lot and have half hour lessons on my teacher's advice, she's free to give hour lessons but says half hour is enough for me.

[Misti]

I took my G8 with hourly lessons every 2 weeks, so I guess that roughly equates to 30mins each week.

My only concern with your limited time slot is that you might struggle to fit in preparation for aurals (I found them a nightmare, but then, I was never good at them, and my teacher wasn't much good at teaching the skills required!).

I certainly wouldn't be put off going for the exam. Even if you don't get the most amazing mark in the world, it'll still be an acheivement, and you won't know what you can acheive if you never even try. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sarah123]

My only concern with your limited time slot is that you might struggle to fit in preparation for aurals (I found them a nightmare, but then, I was never good at them, and my teacher wasn't much good at teaching the skills required!).

I always struggle at aural, despite the fact that we sped at least 10 mins per week on it, and i wouldnt put it down to bad teaching either - i'm just terrible at it!! If someone would like to think of a new way of explaining how to spot modulations, please do...

[Misti]

Listen to and play lots of baroque music (tends to feature lots of nice obvious modulations). Try finding audio copies of music you have scores for. Then listen while following the written music. When you can see a modulation, listen out for the change in "colour" in the music, the accidentals that indicate a new key and so on...

Not much other advice here! It does come down to practise and confidence in the end. And some of us will always just suck at aurals (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(If you do a threat search on this topic, I bet you find bazillions of references... many have very useful advice, and either way, it'll prevent you ever feeling like you're the only one that struggles with it!)

[pikkoloflautist]

well i should probably panic too because i have gr. 8 flute this time next year and i need to go from gr. 6 to gr. 8 with only 20 mins a week! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) aaaaaah

[superflute]

Thanks for you advice everybody. My piano teacher is going to do some aural work with me in my much more ample hour a week (well, 45 mins, but she tends to run over a bit!) I'm also going to get the practise CD thing.

Thanks again