A Grade 1 candidate . Advice please Options

[iona]

I have a 10 year old child entered for Grade 1 this session. She is hugely musical; has a great ear, composes her own music, picks out melodies and adds harmonies, transposes without knowing what it means, improvises, without knowing what it is. Fab! I know that she'll be one of those who actually performs her music to the examiner. HOWEVER -she does all this at the expense of Classical constraint. Trying to get her to keep everything steady is a constant battle. It isn't that she doesn't know what she's supposed to do but she naturally pulls the rhythm around and gives everything a bit of a swing. I'm just wondering how the examiner is likely to view this child. A wonderfully natural musical performance at the expense of Classical discipline. It is only grade 1..but I think this is going to be an ongoing battle no matter the grade. We've talked about Classical v Jazz ..a lot. She's improving (?), but it's anyone's guess what will happen on the day. I think she'll get caught up in the thrill of it and play her little heart out. Just not as it's written down !


Any thoughts?

(She incorporates all articulation & dynamics beautifully. Her rhythm isn't atrocious; she's working on curbing her jazz instincts, but it's really just not good enough)

[baiba]

Have you considered the ABRSM Jazz syllabus? We had an examiner give a talk and demonstration one evening, and there is much more scope for self expression rhythm-wise and putting in swung notes, and improvisation.

It may be worth investigating - only it may take some research first as its quite different to the classical syllabus.

[iona]

Have you considered the ABRSM Jazz syllabus? We had an examiner give a talk and demonstration one evening, and there is much more scope for self expression rhythm-wise and putting in swung notes, and improvisation.

It may be worth investigating - only it may take some research first as its quite different to the classical syllabus.

Yes - We're aware of the Jazz syllabus. I suspect she'd be a fabulous Jazz pianist, but she really does want to learn Classical piano and I happen to think she has some real potential. It's just that at the moment, I need to get a feel for how the examiner might view her little 'foibles'

[SueHM]

As long as she turns in a musical performance I think she will do fine. You may well get some comments about the ‘interesting' interpretation, but this child’s musical ability will shine through and score her the marks - dynamics, articulation etc are all there, so technical ability is not in question. I’m sure most examiners would much prefer to hear a really individual musical performance than a completely 'by the book' but uninteresting version. You have discussed all this with her, so if she doesn’t do so well on the day, it won’t be a big surprise and you can use this to reinforce your suggestion about trying jazz piano - you could alternate jazz and classical grades perhaps?
She sounds like a really interesting student.

[dolce@piano]

Unless she (or you or her parents) are really hung up about the actual mark, I think she'll go in and do fine (although perhaps not as absolutely 'fine' as she could possibly do but then, who's to know ?).

I've always noticed that, as SueHm says, musical performances are rewarded and enjoyed by examiners.

Of course she will get marked down a little for playing her Hook or Nannerl minuet in swing time (does she ?) but as long as she enjoys herself and gives a performance it will be a positive experience (assuming that mummy isn't sitting in the corner demanding a distinction).

It may well be a good learning experience - after all, at 10 years old she's not a baby and she's capable of understanding that if it's top marks she's after, then Hook in swing time won't work. But if it's personal satisfaction and that's what she likes then fine.

[iona]

She sounds like a really interesting student.

She is. Also... wilful, emotional, unpredictable and a bit of a challenge. I'm enjoying her immensely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Unless she (or you or her parents) are really hung up about the actual mark, I think she'll go in and do fine

The mark is an issue. She's a high achiever in all other areas and nothing but top marks will do. She knows I don't play that game, but I feel she is more than capable of excelling. - if only we could address this issue. I've entered her for Grade 1 partly because but I think the experience will be highly useful. She'll realise that the points I've been labouring aren't just my personal little pecadilloes but are expected in the Classical world. Technically I'd consider her more advanced than Grade 1. Her musical maturity is also higher than I would expect in someone her age with the little instruction she's had .

Of course she will get marked down a little for playing her Hook or Nannerl minuet in swing time (does she ?)

Not that funny actually (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) We've just about got that one sorted ..I think.

[AnnC]

Well, maybe if she does lose some marks because ot it, she will take more notice of you! But if her musicality is higher than grade 1 - it's Murphy's Law she'll get a distinction - then you'll have H***'s own job getting her to take you seriously!!

[Aquarelle]

Tell her once more what is expected in the exam. Tell her she is old enough and intelligent enough to get it right and that you don't intend to tell her any more. Then if she continues to be musically disobedient say nothing. Let her get it wrong on the day and lose marks.

This is the line I have taken with a slightly younger girl who doesn't actually swing things because she is musically able and inventive but who plays about with the rhythm to amuse herself. We have talked this through but she will only play correctly if she feels like it and, of course, as the bad habits get ingrained it becomes more and more difficult to get the right ones back. I don't know what she will decide to do on the day of the exam but she has been warned about the consequences.

There is a distinct difference between develping musical imagination in a free and perfectly acceptable manner and preparing for an exam in which certain criteria are required. It isn't too soon for a ten year old to understand this. She can take another line with other music but for exam purposes she has to respect the conventions.

I know you can say that many professional musicians break the rules. But they had to understand them first. Beethoven pushed the classical forms to their limits - but he knew what they were. I expect some people will think I am being a bit hard, but that's what I think.

[Organistin]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
There is a distinct difference between develping musical imagination in a free and perfectly acceptable manner and preparing for an exam in which certain criteria are required. It isn't too soon for a ten year old to understand this. She can take another line with other music but for exam purposes she has to respect the conventions.

I know you can say that many professional musicians break the rules. But they had to understand them first. Beethoven pushed the classical forms to their limits - but he knew what they were. I expect some people will think I am being a bit hard, but that's what I think.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) and I don't think you are being too hard either.
When you are preparing for an exam you have to prepare to the criteria set. This is an important lesson to learn.
I remember one of my 8 year olds at school taking the "voluntary" SATS at the end of year 3. The children were asked to write a letter complaining about the facilities in a school playground. Everyone wrote a letter except this one girl who wrote a poem. It was an amazing poem - incredibly creative and full of rich language. She was a very talented writer. Unfortunately she lost absolutely loads of marks because she hadn't done what was asked. After the papers came back from the markers I sat her and her Mum down and talked to them about it. She was a bit upset that she hadn't done well but she acknowledged straight away that she had ignored the instruction about writing a letter because she wanted to write a poem.

It is exactly the same with this girl. If she is going to sit classical piano exams then she needs to play the music classically and not with a swing. I would just do what Aquarelle suggests and lay it on the line. Explain to the parents too and once the result comes back then have a discussion about the way forward from there. However, I have a feeling she might do well because she'll show some special musicality that is unusual at grade 1.