Trinity Guildhall Lack Of Grade 8 Chopin/brahms/schubert, im not happy Options

[1993allende]

for my grade 8 i decided to go with the trinity guildhall sylabus (cba with scales in 3rds, 5ths, 6ths and singing!). The only drawback is the fairly horrendous choice of exam pieces. There is an abscence of chopin, brahms, schubert which completely eliminates my strength which is the standard romantic repertoire. Instead it looks like im playing rachmaninov melodie op3 no3, beethoven scherzo and trio (sonata op2 no3). I have little quarrel with these (isnt the rachmaninov nice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) ) but then i am left with the prospect of elgar (very unpianistic), mendellsohn song without words op67 no2 (very impossible). The possibility of mozrt, bach and hyden is ruled out by my lack of finger flexability an joint strength (ive only been playing approx 3.5 years lol). Thus the lack of chopin, brahms etc is not welcome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) and i am stuck with a dilemma. Do i grit my teeth and bluff through abrsm scales, aural etc and get the luxury of some nice chopin, or do i go trinity and bear the elgar or butcher the mendellsohn. Anyone who has seen the trinityguildhall lists will know what i mean so i am open to any other suggestions. Before you ask, no i cant compose well enough to play my own composition (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).

[muffinmonster]

in slower romantic pieces there is less focus on rapid scales, arpeggio passages and alberti bass, all of which my pianistically young and immature hands struggle ot cope with (annoying pinkie reflexes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) etc).

I don't want to sound harsh but it really sounds as if you're not ready for Grade 8. Rapid scales and arpeggio passages and Alberti bass are all part of the pianistic language, and if you are to be an accomplished pianist then you need to develop the technique to be able to cope with them.

You say in your original post that you have been playing for just 3 and a half years, and you've obviously achieved a lot in that time. However, for adult learners it's quite common for musical understanding to be more advanced than technical ability and this seems to be the case with you. There's nothing for it but to do the technical work if you want to do justice to the music you play.

Good luck.

[1993allende]

in slower romantic pieces there is less focus on rapid scales, arpeggio passages and alberti bass, all of which my pianistically young and immature hands struggle ot cope with (annoying pinkie reflexes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) etc).

I don't want to sound harsh but it really sounds as if you're not ready for Grade 8. Rapid scales and arpeggio passages and Alberti bass are all part of the pianistic language, and if you are to be an accomplished pianist then you need to develop the technique to be able to cope with them.

You say in your original post that you have been playing for just 3 and a half years, and you've obviously achieved a lot in that time. However, for adult learners it's quite common for musical understanding to be more advanced than technical ability and this seems to be the case with you. There's nothing for it but to do the technical work if you want to do justice to the music you play.

Good luck.

Thanks for the input, i am looking for ways to increase my finger strength and flexibility - i already have 'the vutuoso pianist' by hanon but could anyone suggest any classical repertoire slightly less difficult than grade 8 (i recently did beethoven sonata op2 no1 mov 1 if that helps) or any different excercises

Thanks, allende.

[Mad Tom]

Thanks for the input, i am looking for ways to increase my finger strength and flexibility - i already have 'the vutuoso pianist' by hanon

It does not take much strength to play the piano. Unless you are exceedingly weedy you probably have all the strength you need. What you need are co-ordination, and to some extent endurance. Flexibility develops naturally as you learns more and more VARIED pieces (which is why you ought to be trying some of the stuff you say you are not very good at) and stamina/endurance develops naturally over the years as you practice for longer and longer each day (until you reach your own personal optimum)

but could anyone suggest any classical repertoire slightly less difficult than grade 8

Just take a look at the grade 5/6/7 repertoire lists of the various examining board. You can easily find the ABs on this very website.

(i recently did beethoven sonata op2 no1 mov 1 if that helps) or any different exercises

A wonderful example of the "Mannheim Rocket" motif that Beethoven seemed to like, and a great piece of music, with challenges for any pianist, at any level. Congratulations. Learning the remaining movements could only do you good.