Exams, Session C, Who's signed up? Options

[katemorrisviolin]

I enjoyed flautando's remark about buying the grade 6 books on the way to the grade 5 exam. I did exactly that 6 years ago and have yet to open them! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)
Good luck flautando!

Six years (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Do you think you might be tempted to open them soon? Good luck with your exam katemorrisviolin and thank you.

Tempted? Always! but I have a job and two adolescents at home, so have to be on top of my game parenting wise. When I win the lottery I shall be a full time muso. I can only devote an hour a day to myself so violin gets it.

[flobiano]

Has anyone got a date for their practical yet? I am trying to restrain myself from checking all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[barry-clari]

Has anyone got a date for their practical yet? I am trying to restrain myself from checking all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Not withstanding that I sent my application form in during late summer, the closing date for Trinity diplomas this session was only today, so I don't expect to hear when it'll be until mid November... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Bella-drum]

Has anyone got a date for their practical yet? I am trying to restrain myself from checking all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I haven't received a date for my practical yet. And sadly I'm spending more time checking to see if I have a date, than actually learning my scales!

[barry-clari]

i.e. if your exam is in the first week, you will hear by this date, etc. Haven't heard anything yet and dates are soooon

From the ABRSM webpages :

Published 19/10 - 21/10 for exams 07/11 - 13/11
Published 19/10 - 21/10 for exams 14/11 - 20/11
Published 25/10 - 28/10 for exams 21/11 - 27/11
Published 25/10 - 28/10 for exams 28/11 - 04/12
Published 01/11 - 04/11 for exams 05/12 - 11/12

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

For the ABRSM-ers amongst you - date publications... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[flobiano]

Has anyone got a date for their practical yet? I am trying to restrain myself from checking all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I haven't received a date for my practical yet. And sadly I'm spending more time checking to see if I have a date, than actually learning my scales!

No point checking again till Wednesday now, and looks like I have til at least till the 21st November. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That means I will have orchestra concert in exam venue before exam rather than after so can have a go at some scales/ pieces in situ. But also means I don't have a few post exam days to blitz my orchestra pieces,will just have to try and juggle everything instead. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

[dotted quaver]

No date for me yet! I just want this exam done and out of the way! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[lottie]

No date yet but an emotional roller-coaster!!

I haven't played at all in the last four days after recording myself and thinking not only was I the fattest ugliest person on the planet but that my playing was beyond dire!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) It was recorded on my tiny digital camera balanced on the fish-tank so maybe not the best..... (somehow you always think you're in your 20s inside your head so seeing the mid-forties version of yourself is always a shock!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) )

I had decided to withdraw from the exam. (hubby was also on holiday and it's tough to find playing time when he's at home)

HOWEVER, I listened to the recordings again this morning and they're pretty much note-perfect! A couple of wee intonation wobbles but, hey, it's only Grade 4!!!

I already know there's one scale and one aural test I definitely CAN'T do so I fully ACCEPT that there are already marks lost but now I've accepted that I'm far less nervous about those parts of the exam!

SO... only a few weeks left and still a lot of work to do on the scales (arps and chroms) but I'll give it a go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif)



But I'm already getting that FEAR in the pit of my stomach... with WEEKS still to go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any tips?

[Blackbird77]

Hi Lottie

Be prepared as much as you can and also be prepared for the unexpected. Bear in mind that the exam venue may not have any warm up facilities with a piano, that you may be asked to go in early (you can refuse and go in at your alloted time) and that there may be a moderator with your examiner on the day.

Don't treat it as an exam but a performance opportunity and pretend the examiner is one of your best mates/dogs/family member etc and you want to show them what you and Hannah can do. If you get the jitters focus on starting your pieces as smoothly as possible and resist the temptation to speed up the tempo, just focus on the notes and the music. Worst case scenario and you make a mistake, carry on no matter what, steady yourself and re-focus. With scales, if you're playing in 2nd/3rd position and need to check against an open note, do it a low volume so that it won't be interpreted as a false start and when you're ready, go for it. Aural - just try your best (that's the point I usually do a runner). Sightreading - if you need to, go at a slightly slower tempo but again just keep going no matter what.

Above all, just be determined to enjoy the performing experience and have a lovely day out with Hannah.

Good luck for the exam and to everyone else doing exams.

[gemmasue]

Doing grade 5 flute (IMG:style_emoticons/default/eek.gif) . Slightly nervous (ok... I admit it...v v nervous!), as did grade 4 in '99!

But, it's going to be fine!!! Pieces are going pretty well, know almost all of the scales (whether I'll know them in the exam is another matter altogether!), sightreading is going well. Only problem is the singing part of the aural. But, it's going to be fine. I'm going to brilliantly in the pieces, then the aural won't matter! That's what I'm hoping anyway!!

Good luck for everyone else doing exams!

gemmasue (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flute.gif)

[flautando]

Doing grade 5 flute (IMG:style_emoticons/default/eek.gif) . Slightly nervous (ok... I admit it...v v nervous!), as did grade 4 in '99!

But, it's going to be fine!!! Pieces are going pretty well, know almost all of the scales (whether I'll know them in the exam is another matter altogether!), sightreading is going well. Only problem is the singing part of the aural. But, it's going to be fine. I'm going to brilliantly in the pieces, then the aural won't matter! That's what I'm hoping anyway!!

Good luck for everyone else doing exams!

gemmasue (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flute.gif)

Hi gemmasue I hope you really enjoy your exam and do brilliantly in the pieces and everything else too.

We could be twins! I did grade 4 flute in 1998 but then stopped playing until this April when I got the flute out again. Hope to do grade 5 flute next March and meanwhile I'm doing grade 5 theory on 2nd Nov.

[lottie]

Hi Lottie

Be prepared as much as you can and also be prepared for the unexpected. Bear in mind that the exam venue may not have any warm up facilities with a piano, that you may be asked to go in early (you can refuse and go in at your alloted time) and that there may be a moderator with your examiner on the day.

Don't treat it as an exam but a performance opportunity and pretend the examiner is one of your best mates/dogs/family member etc and you want to show them what you and Hannah can do. If you get the jitters focus on starting your pieces as smoothly as possible and resist the temptation to speed up the tempo, just focus on the notes and the music. Worst case scenario and you make a mistake, carry on no matter what, steady yourself and re-focus. With scales, if you're playing in 2nd/3rd position and need to check against an open note, do it a low volume so that it won't be interpreted as a false start and when you're ready, go for it. Aural - just try your best (that's the point I usually do a runner). Sightreading - if you need to, go at a slightly slower tempo but again just keep going no matter what.

Above all, just be determined to enjoy the performing experience and have a lovely day out with Hannah.

Good luck for the exam and to everyone else doing exams.

Thank you Blackbird (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) If there are no warm-up facilities there will be a seriously angry letter to ABRSM!!! There isn't a musician ON EARTH who doesn't need to warm up!! It's insane!! (I mean on their own - I understand a piano might not be available. But I remember as a kid warming up my clarinet in a freezing toilet - hardly suitable and I was hoping the ABRSM had sorted that out by now and used more appropriate venues!)

[willobie]

Hi Lottie

Be prepared as much as you can and also be prepared for the unexpected. Bear in mind that the exam venue may not have any warm up facilities with a piano, that you may be asked to go in early (you can refuse and go in at your alloted time) and that there may be a moderator with your examiner on the day.

Don't treat it as an exam but a performance opportunity and pretend the examiner is one of your best mates/dogs/family member etc and you want to show them what you and Hannah can do. If you get the jitters focus on starting your pieces as smoothly as possible and resist the temptation to speed up the tempo, just focus on the notes and the music. Worst case scenario and you make a mistake, carry on no matter what, steady yourself and re-focus. With scales, if you're playing in 2nd/3rd position and need to check against an open note, do it a low volume so that it won't be interpreted as a false start and when you're ready, go for it. Aural - just try your best (that's the point I usually do a runner). Sightreading - if you need to, go at a slightly slower tempo but again just keep going no matter what.

Above all, just be determined to enjoy the performing experience and have a lovely day out with Hannah.

Good luck for the exam and to everyone else doing exams.

Thank you Blackbird (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) If there are no warm-up facilities there will be a seriously angry letter to ABRSM!!! There isn't a musician ON EARTH who doesn't need to warm up!! It's insane!! (I mean on their own - I understand a piano might not be available. But I remember as a kid warming up my clarinet in a freezing toilet - hardly suitable and I was hoping the ABRSM had sorted that out by now and used more appropriate venues!)

Our local centre has NO warm-up facilities - just a waiting room next door to the exam room...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[barry-clari]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) If there are no warm-up facilities there will be a seriously angry letter to ABRSM!!! There isn't a musician ON EARTH who doesn't need to warm up!! It's insane!! (I mean on their own - I understand a piano might not be available. But I remember as a kid warming up my clarinet in a freezing toilet - hardly suitable and I was hoping the ABRSM had sorted that out by now and used more appropriate venues!)

There are three ABRSM test centres near me. One has a lovely warm up room (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , one has a piano that can be used, but the piano is also in the waiting room (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) and the third has no warm up room, unless you count going out into the garden (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[willobie]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) If there are no warm-up facilities there will be a seriously angry letter to ABRSM!!! There isn't a musician ON EARTH who doesn't need to warm up!! It's insane!! (I mean on their own - I understand a piano might not be available. But I remember as a kid warming up my clarinet in a freezing toilet - hardly suitable and I was hoping the ABRSM had sorted that out by now and used more appropriate venues!)

There are three ABRSM test centres near me. One has a lovely warm up room (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , one has a piano that can be used, but the piano is also in the waiting room (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) and the third has no warm up room, unless you count going out into the garden (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I miss Blackheath...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)