Abrsm Cd, Buy or not to buy? :S Options

[ange_the_violinist]

Hi!
I'm currently working towards my grade 5 violin and want to know whether to buy the ABRSM recording of the pieces on the syllabus. I've heard they aren't that helpful because sometimes the speed isn't the same as what is indicated on the part. Others say that because the sound is coming through a CD, the music appears out of pitch and possibly sounds out of key to your violin.
However, other say that the cd is really helpful because it opens your eyes to different interpretations of the same piece, and gives you the chance to practise your pieces with the accompaniment part, which I am not always able to do as I only see my violin teacher once a week, and she tends to be practising the scales and sightreading more than the pieces at the moment.

Any suggestions? - Are the cds worth buying?

Please write back!
Your views are most welcome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ange
XxX

[Chaos_91]

The cd was worth buying for me as it got me used to playing with the accompaniment and playing in the right speed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) the cd was a bit pricy for people like myself but other that that nothing will be holding me back from getting the grade 4 cd when preparing for my grade 4 hopefully near the end of this year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[unmusicalmum]

I have bought the cd for my son for the last couple of cello exams he has done and agree they are rather pricey. For us it's the only way he can practise with an accompaniment which he seems to enjoy much more than practising without - although it's worth noting that for pieces where the instrument rather than the piano 'leads' in places it doesn't work so well. He used it much more for grade 4 than grade 5, so I shall have to think quite hard before getting the grade 6 one when he gets around to doing that. It might be as good to get a friendly pianist to record the accompaniment onto CD instead. We use 'the amazing slow downer' from http://www.ronimusic.com/ which works really well to play the CD at whatever speed you want, so you can start slow when you are beginning and gradually get faster - it plays at the correct pitch whatever speed it is at and there is also a facility to adjust the pitch slightly if your PC is sounding sharp or flat. The free trial version however will only work for the first two tracks on the CD.

[violinma]

I think that they are certainly worth buying. My daughter has always learned by the Suzuki method, where listening to the pieces is an important part of learning them. My daughter has just started working towards her Grade 5 violin as well. I bought the pieces on Tuesday and she has made lots of progress already. They help a lot with intonation during practice.
Hope this helps.
Violinma

[anakrron]

I don't do the violin, but the piano one for Grade 6 (first one I've bought) has been very useful. My teacher does play excerpts of the pieces when I'm choosing it, but having the CD gives me the general feel of each piece, and it also lets me hear the alternatives as well. As long as it's not taken as the only interpretation, but one of them, it should be pretty useful.

[bohemian]

I got the grade 8 one at all the pieces were being played so fast, ditto the accomps. Also, they are very rigid with tempo, so if you play along with them it could end up with you losing any rubato. For the price, I think it would be better to find someone who will accompany you earlier, and have lots of practices.

[hellokitty]

I always get the CD cos it helps me decide what pieces to play. Towards the exam, if i play at the same speed as it, i play with the piano only part. Sometimes there ARE played too fast but they are enjoyable to listen to. They are also useful to use as a comparison between yourself and the CD.

[AmandaL]

I always get the CD cos it helps me decide what pieces to play

Most of my younger pupils buy the CD for the very same reason. It's either that, or I have to buy and play every piece in the lists myself, so that they can peruse the melodies - clearly not a practical or indeed cheap method. But apart from that, I don't believe in playing pieces for them because it encourages a copy-cat approach and defeats the object of pupils learning and interpreting the music for themselves.

[katyjay]

One thing I realised on Thursday when I had a practice session with Suepea (who will be accompanying my Grade 1 exam) is how different the accompaniment makes the pieces sound and feel.

It did make me wonder whether there'd be any opportunity/any market for the ABRSM to release a CD of just the accompaniments.

I don't want to listen to recordings of the works before I've got them nailed down myself, but the accomps would be useful, as I can't practise with my pianist the whole time.

[Tess]

We only used the CD as accompaniment AFTER she has already learnt to play the pieces first. Her teacher thinks it's necessary, musically, to hear the pieces in your head and try them out first. It's supposed to be bad for your musical development if you copy the musician in the CD playing just like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) He did however play them just once through to help her decide which to choose. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[joyjoy]

We only used the CD as accompaniment AFTER she has already learnt to play the pieces first. Her teacher thinks it's necessary, musically, to hear the pieces in your head and try them out first. It's supposed to be bad for your musical development if you copy the musician in the CD playing just like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) He did however play them just once through to help her decide which to choose. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I agree with this, as although it is great if a child can 'copy' a piece of music, it is better to have a go first, then when the pieces are starting to come together, the CD would come in handy.