Is She Playing Too Quickly? Options

[jermyn]

I stupidly asked the wrong question in my previous post (it was my first post although that's not much of an excuse). I asked about my daughter's playing for her grade 2 flute exam. What I am really worried about is that she is playing too quickly compared to the CD.

[maggiemay]

There is usually some speed indication at the start of each piece which gives some idea. (Lively? Stately? etc) Having said that, the mood of the piece is more important the the precise speed it is played.

If the mood is bright and cheerful, it may not matter if the speed is a bit quicker than indicated.
If the piece is in a less upbeat sort of style, it may be better at a slower speed. Really though your daughter's teacher should be able to advise you / her. (And the recordings are n't always played at exactly the speed indicated on the copy either).

It may be useful to talk to your daughter and ask her what she thinks the mood of each piece is meant to be. If there is a title it may give you an idea too.

[Hotair]

What pieces is she playing?

[jermyn]

Strawberry Sarabande and Largo

[andante_in_c]

Both pieces should be played fairly slowly. The title of Strawberry Sarabande indicates the speed - a sarabande was a slow dance in 3/4 time. Largo indicates a slow, broad tempo.

As far as I recall, there are no metronome marks for either of these pieces. You could do what I did, and email Paul Harris (who composed one and arranged the other) and ask him for his suggestion. I asked about Fudge Fandango rather than Strawberry Sarabande, so I can't help directly. He was extremely helpful, and replied within two hours!

I haven't got his email address - I found it on a publisher's website and didn't keep it - but I'm sure a bit of Google searching might locate it.

The CD would normally play the pieces at the expected maximum, rather than minimum, tempo.