Session B exams Options

[sbhoa]

I got the comment sheet back this morning. and there's quite a bit about tonal production.

These are the comments i got back:

A2 Somewhat tentatative at the outset, & there was often a need for greater projection. Many problems with tone production & there was a lack of shaping, & of tonal growth. All very inhibited &often precarious. (16/30)

B2 This attempt was mostly introverted & suffered from technical insecurities. Fluency was lacking and the tone & intonation was unfocused. Not passable, I am sorry to say. (15/30)

C2 This was alert at first but it became rhythmically slack, & lack any tonal contrasts. Often uncertain, the tone was reticient & the playing was without a sense of direction. Too fragmented on this occasion. (17/30)

Scales and Arpeggios A little slow to respond, & many items had slips and stumbles. Far greater rhythmic drive needed. None were without blemish. (13/21)

Sightreading This was the most confident section. Tone production was not strong, but you had good continuity & shape here (17/21)

Aural tests There was a weak or incorrect response in all tests except D1. All aspects need attention here. (9/18)

Additional comments I am sorry that you could not pass today. Continuity & musical shape are vital, & you need to consider aspects of tone production.

Anyone got any thoughts about these comments?

The underlying problem appears to be basic tonal quality and musical shaping and awareness.
Though these things can be affected by nerves and not feeling to good I'd expect that they wouldn't go to that extent if they were secure generally.
Without being familiar with your playing it suggests to me that ideally you needed a bit more time developing these areas before going for the grade 7 but this is something to discuss with your teacher as soon as you are able as he knows how you play from week to week.
I think that it gives very clear areas to work on.

[Rach123]

My teacher actually felt like i was ready to do the exam. Essentially, i thought (and my teacher thought) that i had evrything secure and everything. I also needed to do it so that i could have it for uni entry (supposed to be starting uni in september/october) I just don't knw what happened on the day. Also i think i would have concetrated better had i done the exam later on this session and it hadnt been my birthday. I think it might have just been nerves, my headache (i think it might have been bigger but i can't really remember) and a loss of concentration in the aural after the disaster that was my b piece.

[Czerny]

Also i think i would have concetrated better had i done the exam later on this session and it hadnt been my birthday.

If this really is the case, some concerted work with your teacher on focus while performing would be very beneficial.

[Rach123]

I'm actually fine on focussing whilst performing as performing had been a big part of the extended diploma i've just finished

I just think it might have just been the day i did the exam. (i didn't think doing an exam on my birthday would end in failing my grade 7.)

[sbhoa]

I'm actually fine on focussing whilst performing as performing had been a big part of the extended diploma i've just finished

I just think it might have just been the day i did the exam. (i didn't think doing an exam on my birthday would end in failing my grade 7.)

One plan now might be to make sure that you are much more securely prepared if you do another exam then anything like nerves and reduced concentration won't have such a big impact.
That's my plan after a bad attack of nerves last time.

[Rach123]

I'm actually fine on focussing whilst performing as performing had been a big part of the extended diploma i've just finished

I just think it might have just been the day i did the exam. (i didn't think doing an exam on my birthday would end in failing my grade 7.)

One plan now might be to make sure that you are much more securely prepared if you do another exam then anything like nerves and reduced concentration won't have such a big impact.
That's my plan after a bad attack of nerves last time.

yeah. I think practising more would definitely help. i just need to get into my head that i'll do better if i find the time to practise insteaad of playing on my laptop and getting bored.

i'm just a bit weird and think that not practising every day is going to help me improve. Its helped for some people though. (like my friend who plays violin, viola, bassoon and piano. doesn't help her dads an abrsm examiner.) my friend is extremely talented but doesn't do much practise.

[nicki_flute]

I got the comment sheet back this morning. and there's quite a bit about tonal production.

These are the comments i got back:

A2 Somewhat tentatative at the outset, & there was often a need for greater projection. Many problems with tone production & there was a lack of shaping, & of tonal growth. All very inhibited &often precarious. (16/30)

B2 This attempt was mostly introverted & suffered from technical insecurities. Fluency was lacking and the tone & intonation was unfocused. Not passable, I am sorry to say. (15/30)

C2 This was alert at first but it became rhythmically slack, & lack any tonal contrasts. Often uncertain, the tone was reticient & the playing was without a sense of direction. Too fragmented on this occasion. (17/30)

Scales and Arpeggios A little slow to respond, & many items had slips and stumbles. Far greater rhythmic drive needed. None were without blemish. (13/21)

Sightreading This was the most confident section. Tone production was not strong, but you had good continuity & shape here (17/21)

Aural tests There was a weak or incorrect response in all tests except D1. All aspects need attention here. (9/18)

Additional comments I am sorry that you could not pass today. Continuity & musical shape are vital, & you need to consider aspects of tone production.

Anyone got any thoughts about these comments?

Hi Rach.

Sorry to hear about your exam and thanks for posting the comments.

I don't know when you did your grade five, but the first thing I'd say is that there is a big jump in what is expected between grade five and grade seven. If you look at These Music Exams (http://www.abrsm.org/resources/theseMusicExams0607.pdf), on pages 38-39, it says how they are graded, which might help.

They especially emphasise that musical phrasing is needed to do well at grades 6-8. This can be hard to decipher, but I try and practise so that every note means something. For example, a long note, isn't just a long note, it does something e.g. getting louder or softer; repeated notes have some direction. I have found that often when I play, what I hear isn't necessarily what the audience hears e.g. I think I am doing excellent louds/softs but then I record myself and you can hardly hear the difference. Have you ever recorded yourself, just for personal reference?

With regards to practising, if you find it hard to concentrate, break your practice down into chunks. After a long day, it can be hard to motivate yourself, but what I find helps is if I think 'just do ten minutes'. You can get a lot done in ten minutes if you practise efficiently, and once you have got over the mental hurdle of having to practise, you often want to play for a lot more. Work out when you practise at your best, and which methods work for you.

You don't necessarily have to practise every day (although it helps). Also, bear in mind that practice doesn't necessarily involve your instrument - it could be listening to your pieces, doing some aural work, working out breathing etc. Also, at school, I found that a lot of people said they didn't practise/revise etc, but they actually did. Focus on your own playing, to achieve what you want to achieve.

Your teacher should be able to suggest some exercises to improve tone.

Hope this helps.

[AWebb]

Just back from my first ever music exam - grade 2 harp. It went by ridiculously fast!

I think my scales and arpeggios were really good...hopefully nothing to worry about there.
First piece I made one small mistake but they may not even notice as it didn't stand out or interrupt the flow...hopefully still a good mark here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Second piece, a couple of mistakes, but I was expecting that. I didn't let it interrupt the flow so hopefully still an ok mark for this.

Third piece I can't even remember how it went now...Probably similar to second piece.

Sight-reading...well I am very bad at this as I entered myself for my exam and did most of my work without a teacher as my teacher was away having just had a baby. I think it was better than some attempts I've had, but probably not a very good mark here.

For the aural tests, I think they were all ok except for the singing one but that was what I was expecting.

All in all, hoping I will pass but not expecting much more than about the 100 mark. That's all I need really then can work more effectively for grade 3 now my teacher is back.

[nicki_flute]

Just back from my first ever music exam - grade 2 harp. It went by ridiculously fast!

I think my scales and arpeggios were really good...hopefully nothing to worry about there.
First piece I made one small mistake but they may not even notice as it didn't stand out or interrupt the flow...hopefully still a good mark here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Second piece, a couple of mistakes, but I was expecting that. I didn't let it interrupt the flow so hopefully still an ok mark for this.

Third piece I can't even remember how it went now...Probably similar to second piece.

Sight-reading...well I am very bad at this as I entered myself for my exam and did most of my work without a teacher as my teacher was away having just had a baby. I think it was better than some attempts I've had, but probably not a very good mark here.

For the aural tests, I think they were all ok except for the singing one but that was what I was expecting.

All in all, hoping I will pass but not expecting much more than about the 100 mark. That's all I need really then can work more effectively for grade 3 now my teacher is back.

Your report sounds very positive to me. Congratulations!

[schraeubchen]

Wuhoo! Distinction Grade 6 piano! Phew! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

Congratulations ExpressYourself!! Well done!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

[Splog]

yeah. I think practising more would definitely help. i just need to get into my head that i'll do better if i find the time to practise insteaad of playing on my laptop and getting bored.

i'm just a bit weird and think that not practising every day is going to help me improve. Its helped for some people though. (like my friend who plays violin, viola, bassoon and piano. doesn't help her dads an abrsm examiner.) my friend is extremely talented but doesn't do much practise.

How well do you know your friend's dad? Would he be willing to listen to you play and offer advice? Either you had a really bad day, or you are just not ready for grade 7. He would be able to tell you. Either way, I still think your sightreading result is amazing, although the examiner's comments sound a bit grudging.

Do you ever play with other people? In a band or just get together with friends? That's a good way to get extra practice in.

[Rach123]

yeah. I think practising more would definitely help. i just need to get into my head that i'll do better if i find the time to practise insteaad of playing on my laptop and getting bored.

i'm just a bit weird and think that not practising every day is going to help me improve. Its helped for some people though. (like my friend who plays violin, viola, bassoon and piano. doesn't help her dads an abrsm examiner.) my friend is extremely talented but doesn't do much practise.

How well do you know your friend's dad? Would he be willing to listen to you play and offer advice? Either you had a really bad day, or you are just not ready for grade 7. He would be able to tell you. Either way, I still think your sightreading result is amazing, although the examiner's comments sound a bit grudging.

Do you ever play with other people? In a band or just get together with friends? That's a good way to get extra practice in.

i've never met her dad so i don't know. The only reason i know he's an abrsm eaminer is because my friend told me.

i do tend to get asked to play at my church quite a bit. It doesn't help that ii just happen to be the youngest out of 2 clarinettists at my church so i always end up being asked.

[flobiano]

yeah. I think practising more would definitely help. i just need to get into my head that i'll do better if i find the time to practise insteaad of playing on my laptop and getting bored.

i'm just a bit weird and think that not practising every day is going to help me improve. Its helped for some people though. (like my friend who plays violin, viola, bassoon and piano. doesn't help her dads an abrsm examiner.) my friend is extremely talented but doesn't do much practise.

How well do you know your friend's dad? Would he be willing to listen to you play and offer advice? Either you had a really bad day, or you are just not ready for grade 7. He would be able to tell you. Either way, I still think your sightreading result is amazing, although the examiner's comments sound a bit grudging.

Do you ever play with other people? In a band or just get together with friends? That's a good way to get extra practice in.

There is some good advice here and from other people. I would certainly suggest getting someone else to listen to your pieces who can give you some feedback.

I noticed that you wrote earlier..

..... Even my teacher (who was accompanying me) said that i played the accompanied pieces really well...

If that is right then, to be honest, it looks like either your teacher was wrong or the examiner was wrong (or you misunderstood what your teacher was saying to you - which happens especially in stressful situations). In your position I think I would want to know which it was. I would have thought, even if it was just an off day, that your teacher should have picked that up in the exam and gently tried to tell you, so that the results weren't such a shock. He certainly shouldn't have let you think you played really well! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I've been sometimes slightly disappointed by results in the past but I don't think I've ever been really surprised by them, and I don't think the comments ever picked up on anything that I wasn't aware was a problem or which hadn't been pointed out previously by my teacher. If they did I would be slightly concerned I think.

[Rach123]

yeah. I think practising more would definitely help. i just need to get into my head that i'll do better if i find the time to practise insteaad of playing on my laptop and getting bored.

i'm just a bit weird and think that not practising every day is going to help me improve. Its helped for some people though. (like my friend who plays violin, viola, bassoon and piano. doesn't help her dads an abrsm examiner.) my friend is extremely talented but doesn't do much practise.

How well do you know your friend's dad? Would he be willing to listen to you play and offer advice? Either you had a really bad day, or you are just not ready for grade 7. He would be able to tell you. Either way, I still think your sightreading result is amazing, although the examiner's comments sound a bit grudging.

Do you ever play with other people? In a band or just get together with friends? That's a good way to get extra practice in.

There is some good advice here and from other people. I would certainly suggest getting someone else to listen to your pieces who can give you some feedback.

I noticed that you wrote earlier..

..... Even my teacher (who was accompanying me) said that i played the accompanied pieces really well...

If that is right then, to be honest, it looks like either your teacher was wrong or the examiner was wrong (or you misunderstood what your teacher was saying to you - which happens especially in stressful situations). In your position I think I would want to know which it was. I would have thought, even if it was just an off day, that your teacher should have picked that up in the exam and gently tried to tell you, so that the results weren't such a shock. He certainly shouldn't have let you think you played really well! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I've been sometimes slightly disappointed by results in the past but I don't think I've ever been really surprised by them, and I don't think the comments ever picked up on anything that I wasn't aware was a problem or which hadn't been pointed out previously by my teacher. If they did I would be slightly concerned I think.

I don't think i meant exactly that. I think he just said that i played the pieces well but he did say that i should have tried to blow more. i don't eactly remember what he said though


Also, i can play the music fine as i performed 2 of my exam pieces (A and C pieces0 for my final recital at college. I think i just had a bit of a bad day.

[Martin.Walters]

Wow, Rach, thats extremely great that you get asked at your church to play!!

Use those opportunities everytime, consider them a blessing!

The church pushed me into playing piano, at the time, I had issues with nerves, not knowing which hymns they would choose for me to play, not being able to sight read.. not even knowing keys with more than 1 flat or
3 sharps.. ~~ but I look back.. I wouldnt have it any other way!

over the last year, ive been given opportunities to play classical pieces in 3 churches! Which brought the nerves
back, but none other than Horowitz helped me out from beyond his grave.

I`d like you to listen to watch this video several times. What he says, starts to sink in after a watching it a few times. Although hes a pianist, what he says is true for all performers, whether musical or drama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4OJoAI5d5Y...ture=plpp_video