Flute Grades, Which grade? Options

[Nicia-Clarinet-Flute]

As you may or may not know i have only been playing the flute for about a month or so but i can already play the stuff on the grade 5 list.

I don't see the point in going right from grade 1 on this and i have been told by music teacher and other flautist i have a really good sound already! Good enough for gd. 5 / 6. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Is it possible to do the Gd. 5 flute around the winter time? Teacher thinks this is achievable i'm not sure as never really skipped grades on other instruments. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

If so which pieces seem the nicest?!

[andante_in_c]

I taught someone who took and passed Grade 5 flute with 128 around four months after she first picked up a flute, so it's definitely possible. Her biggest problem was maintaining the embouchure through the length of the exam (although she had chosen the longest pieces), and in learning the scales in that short a time. She was a pianist and singer, though, rather than a woodwind player, so you should find the scales more straightforward.

I'd advise against too long a programme to save your embouchure, so avoid Dance of the Blessed Spirits. The Beethoven, either of the Mozart pieces or the Grieg would be good choices from List A. The Faure should be manageable from List B if your list A piece isn't too long, otherwise go for the RR Bennett (long, but lots of rests), the Berkeley or possibly the Bryan Kelly.

All the studies are fine, but the Quantz is very 'notey' and probably best avoided.

Good luck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Julie the flute girl :P]

The Faure Siciliene is lovely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As for skipping grades , this is entirely possible . Though I would definitely explore more repetoire as you've only been playing for a month .

Well done on reaching grade 5 within an month of playing !! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Julie x

[Nicia-Clarinet-Flute]

Am gonna go for it in the winter.

I am playing lots of different repertoire i think this is one of the reasons i have progressed so fast yay!

I am playing in a band and am enjoying that.

Not sure what i'll play for the gd. 5 yet but got the sicilienne and really like it also i really like the rr bennett but i like his music any way!!!

Thanks again

[Morgan's Munchkin]

I would say go for it. I took my grade 3 after 6 months and out of all the people (there were 3 Jenny's taking their grade 3 flute the same day with the same teacher!!) i was the one who my teacher was most concerned about because i had been playing the shortest time and it was a very much last minute thing. However i worked hard and passed with merit, getting higher than any of the others. If you are willing to put in the work then i'm sure you'll do well.

[deviless]

i did the faure, it wasn't too bad, not tooo long i dont think. The rumba was pretty easy once you get the rhythm, and its quite short too! The Handel sonatas were nice, but i'm not too sure about the length of them!

[nicola1991]

ive been playin flute for about2 or 3 months now, and im doing my grade 2 in a couple of weeks, so i think that in the winter you could be able to do grade 5! good luck!

[dacapo]

Not sure what i'll play for the gd. 5 yet but got the sicilienne and really like it also i really like the rr bennett but i like his music any way!!!

You might like to involve your accompanist in the final decision. I'm always delighted when someone opts for Siesta because it's got a very satisfying piano part as well as being a gorgeous piece as a whole, and it was actually written for flute and piano. A bit later on you will be able to enjoy the whole set of pieces - the last movement Games quotes from the first movement and Siesta but is quite a lot more technically demanding. Enjoy!

[sarah-flute]

Siesta is a really lovely little piece... really enjoyable to play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[andante_in_c]

Siesta is a really lovely little piece... really enjoyable to play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I agree, but it's not for everyone. You need reliable bottom Cs, which not all Grade 5 players can manage consistently.

[deviless]

I agree, but it's not for everyone. You need reliable bottom Cs, which not all Grade 5 players can manage consistently.

I agree, i'm grade 6 standard and i still cant always get my bottom C

[Kimble]

I would recommend Faure Sicilienne. It's beautiful. I did it for my grade 5 on Guildhall in March 2005 and passed with honours. I also did Music Hall by Cecilia McDowall. It's a fun piece- comes from the Six Pastiches book and it has some nice pieces in it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Beth Chordal Sequence]

Not aimed at you in particular, but sometimes it's best not to rush through exams. Ok, you may be able to play the grade 5 pieces but may it not be best to do a lower grade, sort out technique, embouchure and play the pieces better?

[Nicia-Clarinet-Flute]

Fair enough i see your point! i know i've not been playing flute for long but i can play gd. 6/7 standard stuff, teacher tells me emborchure (never been able to spell it!) is good enough for gd. 5/6 level! am so enjoying playing flute! wish i'd started it earlier!

[barry-clari]

sometimes it's best not to rush through exams. Ok, you may be able to play the grade 5 pieces but may it not be best to do a lower grade, sort out technique, embouchure and play the pieces better?

Would agree with Beth here. I think its better, say, to attempt grade 4 with confidence, rather than try grade 5 with the thought in the back of your mind that you might not do as well.

Welcome to the AB forum Beth, hope you enjoy using the various fora here!