Abrsm Grade 4 Clarinet, What pieces are we all learning/teaching? Options

[oldromola]

I have entered myself for grade 4 clarinet and am looking at the week commencing December 7th for the day of exectution.

Any way, I was wondering what other people are chosing. I originally chose A2 (Evening) B9 (Stick Together) and C2 (Study in C - The Turn) until my teacher pointed out the the A piece and the Study were both in C and were in fact really quite similar. I was then first of all instructed (yes instructed!) to start learning A3 (Widmung) and last week was told the Study in C was too easy for me and I should try C1, the Study No 32 by Chris Allen.

My teacher's point is that to improve one must continue to learn harder pieces, whereas I am well aware that I will not be awarded any more marks in the exam simply because I have chosen more difficult repertoire. However I beleive that the grade 5 pieces I shall want to play next summer (Mendelssohn and Lloyd Webber) are in quite a different league to any of those in the grade 4 book, so perhaps I really should take my teacher's advice. In actual fact I really like the Schumann piece (Widmung) although the speed indication of minum = 69 is patently too fast for this style of romantic music. I also like the Chris Allen study were it not for all those over-the break passages!

A piano pupil of mine is also taking grade 4 clarinet at the same centre this December and is determined to do better than her old piano teacher. She has chosen A2, B1 and the C2 Study.

[clarijo]

I would be inclined to choose the pieces which you are able to play to the very best of your ability for the exam - as you rightly say, you won't get extra marks for playing more difficult pieces and if you already have pieces which you have prepared and are happy with, then I would be inclined to aim for perfection and go for a distinction, rather than change now! My personal opinion is that you can almost try too many - make a decision and go for it!

However, this does not stop you from playing other pieces at the same level for your own pleasure and development as a player after the exam, so I do understand your teacher's point. I realise that you are a teacher yourself and therefore have a fairly unique perspective - have you considered what advice you would give to one of your piano pupils?

Incidentally, I bought the ABRSM Grade 3 and 4 books a couple of years ago when I first started playing again after a break, just out of curiosity really to see whether I could still play at this level. I liked A1 or A2 and C3 - all in C! I don't particularly like any of the three list B pieces which appear in the book, though of the three I would probably choose Peacherine Rag (though I much prefer to hear it played on piano!)

I've just started lessons again but I'm not in a hurry to take exams (busy learning to play the piano and have Grade 2 coming up!) However, I do like the sound of some of the pieces from the Grade 5 book (I was working towards Grade 5 when I moved away from home and gave up). If you have any recommendations for pieces which are just nice to play for sheer enjoyment at the Grade 4 or 5 level, I would love to hear them!

Best of luck with the exam, whatever you decide to play! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[barry-clari]

I would be inclined to choose the pieces which you are able to play to the very best of your ability for the exam - as you rightly say, you won't get extra marks for playing more difficult pieces and if you already have pieces which you have prepared and are happy with, then I would be inclined to aim for perfection and go for a distinction, rather than change now! My personal opinion is that you can almost try too many - make a decision and go for it!

Although the ABRSM do say in their syllabus that they like a 'balanced' programme, I have yet to see any exam form where this is picked up : I agree with clarijo, pick what you'll play best (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sbhoa]

I would be inclined to choose the pieces which you are able to play to the very best of your ability for the exam - as you rightly say, you won't get extra marks for playing more difficult pieces and if you already have pieces which you have prepared and are happy with, then I would be inclined to aim for perfection and go for a distinction, rather than change now! My personal opinion is that you can almost try too many - make a decision and go for it!

Although the ABRSM do say in their syllabus that they like a 'balanced' programme, I have yet to see any exam form where this is picked up : I agree with clarijo, pick what you'll play best (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Play what you play and enjoy best.
Nothing to stop you learning other things but for exam purposes you might as well think about what will help you to pick up marks. That was certainly something both I and my teacher considered for my grade 5.