Need to come up with a stress free schedule, sorry to bore! Options

[notmusimum]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Not to invade the parent's forum, but... what? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I have always been used to thinking the other way around - that pieces are the primary focus, and technical work is just there to supplement and improve the pieces. I know lots of wonderful musicians who don't practice scales, etc. regularly, but none who don't practice pieces! And even in terms of exams, pieces make up most of the marks...

We are talking about post grade 8 which I think makes somehting of a difference.

[Chris H]

Also, we pianists don't have to learn how to do vibrato. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[notmusimum]

Also, we pianists don't have to learn how to do vibrato. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Or develop an embouchure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Chris H]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif) I suppose I could use it to whistle an accompaniment to my piano playing.

[tonedeafmum]

Also, we pianists don't have to learn how to do vibrato. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Or develop an embouchure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Daughter can definitely develop an embouchure while practising the piano.
We just tend to call it a pout. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I would not want an exam with no supporting tests. I suspect it would lead to a lot of rote learning and children whizzing through grades with minimal skills and repetoire (my Daughter's idea of heaven (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ). I was very glad when piano teacher presented her with the book of Grade 5 scales and said "We can start looking at exam pieces when you can play them all."

There are a lot of Grade 5 piano scales compared to Grade 3 so we had a few solid months of learning other repetoire while she was mastering them.

If only teacher had thought to make the same deal with the aural. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Chris H]

I think your daughter may have the same piano teacher as me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) My teacher is very keen on scales, and always makes me do all the scales before embarking on anything else. I have the grade 7 scale book, but none of the others. However, aural is always dealt with in the run up to the exams.

I must admit, I rather like the grade 7 scales, though. I think the third apart ones sound lovely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Roseau]

I would not want an exam with no supporting tests. I suspect it would lead to a lot of rote learning and children whizzing through grades with minimal skills and repetoire (my Daughter's idea of heaven (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

In France there are no supporting tests but there is a "set" piece (the same for all the candidates) which is given to them 6 weeks before the exam, which precludes rote learning. My daughter thought the English system sounded rather nice with lots of time to practise everything before hand and the possibility of having some "safe" marks for scales and sight-reading .

[tonedeafmum]

I would not want an exam with no supporting tests. I suspect it would lead to a lot of rote learning and children whizzing through grades with minimal skills and repetoire (my Daughter's idea of heaven (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

In France there are no supporting tests but there is a "set" piece (the same for all the candidates) which is given to them 6 weeks before the exam, which precludes rote learning. My daughter thought the English system sounded rather nice with lots of time to practise everything before hand and the possibility of having some "safe" marks for scales and sight-reading .

I like the idea of the set piece. I know some children who spend all year learning 3 pieces for an exam - and I have to admit, the way things have gone this time, I have got very fed up with 1 of Daughter's pieces.

[Chris H]

I'd prefer to do a set piece instead of the sightreading - it seems a more realistic exercise.

[Village Flute]

If you play in ensembles and bands sightreading is a vital skill. In a band made up of relatively experienced adult musicians you are sometimes faced with playing something on a gig you have only seen once before. More common for fetes & garden parties & the like when you need a large volume of music to be able to play for a couple of hours or more.

I do scales & scale related exercises when I practice either instrument, my sax teacher says I'm probably the only pupil she doesn't have to hassle about scales. They keep my fingers flexible and help play fast passages.

Now aural.... have not found a use for it since my last exam many years ago.

[Chris H]

You are right, of course, about the sightreading. It is useful, I just don't like doing it!

[Cyrilla]

Daughter can definitely develop an embouchure while practising the piano.
We just tend to call it a pout. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[MusicalNitWit]

I have now convinced myself that he is going to pass with about 110 (says me who knows it all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) so I will be highly embarrassed if he fails! It's a shame he won't get a merit or distinction but in some ways I'm pleased he'll have it under his belt before he starts the JD, as it will recognise his teacher's efforts and he can really focus on learning to play rather than passing exams.

P.S. I'm sure this moment of serenity won't last!

[tonedeafmum]

P.S. I'm sure this moment of serenity won't last!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) So am I! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Seriously - a prediction of 110 3 weeks before the exam sounds good to me. I imagine a parent is inclined the err on the side of caution as well so we could be celebrating a good result come the summer [insert Pimms icon here].If the pieces are good there's a limit to how far the supporting tests can pull them (trust me - I've done the Maths! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) ) I made the mistake of fishing for a prediction from Daughter's teacher last week. He wouldn't commit himself further than "I can't see any reason why she would fail." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Hadn't occured to me until then that she might. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[ViolaMum]

Hey MNW,

I agree with DTM, I'm sure that you are being cautious with the marks, there are still 3 weeks and more practise to come! When I ask DS' Teach what he thinks he'll get, he always just says "He should do OK". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
I really believe that the examiners do want to pass pupils. DS' teacher once commented that if it's a point short of the next level, and they feel the pupil deserves it, they may be inclined to 'find' that point from somewhere! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Your DS is doing SO well and you should be very proud of him, as I'm sure you are. He already has a place at JD and it will be nice to get this Grade under his belt. In a year's time you'll look back and probably won't remember much of this time at all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Of course, this is all coming from a Mum who will be having sleepless nights myself in a few weeks!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)