Any grade 8ers this term? Options

[Violin Hero]

Well done! I hope you don't have to wait ages for the results xxx
What is the next steps for someone who has done grade 8?

LearnerFlute

Learn lots of lovely new pieces and eventually do a diploma. Maybe even join a high end amateur orchestra.

[violin123]

Well done! I hope you don't have to wait ages for the results xxx
What is the next steps for someone who has done grade 8?

LearnerFlute

Learn lots of lovely new pieces and eventually do a diploma. Maybe even join a high end amateur orchestra.

Yeah, and I'm hoping to try some ultra challenging pieces (eg Zigeunerweisen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ), some other things like Bach A minor (a good step up) and some Kreutzer studies, and I'm soloist in Vivaldi Spring in a few months (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Hubicka]

Well done! I hope you don't have to wait ages for the results xxx
What is the next steps for someone who has done grade 8?

LearnerFlute

Learn lots of lovely new pieces and eventually do a diploma. Maybe even join a high end amateur orchestra.

Yeah, and I'm hoping to try some ultra challenging pieces (eg Zigeunerweisen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ), some other things like Bach A minor (a good step up) and some Kreutzer studies, and I'm soloist in Vivaldi Spring in a few months (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Not to put a dampener on things but i'm in a conservatoire and people don't play Zigeunerweisen + similar till 3rd or final year, ie. many years after they did their grade 8. No harm in trying it though! Kreutzer studies always a good idea and lots of Sevcik! 70-80% of my practise routine is scales, exercises and sevcik/kreutzer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Well done on your exam it sounds like youve done very well and good luck for the Vivaldi (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[violin123]

Well done! I hope you don't have to wait ages for the results xxx
What is the next steps for someone who has done grade 8?

LearnerFlute

Learn lots of lovely new pieces and eventually do a diploma. Maybe even join a high end amateur orchestra.

Yeah, and I'm hoping to try some ultra challenging pieces (eg Zigeunerweisen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ), some other things like Bach A minor (a good step up) and some Kreutzer studies, and I'm soloist in Vivaldi Spring in a few months (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Not to put a dampener on things but i'm in a conservatoire and people don't play Zigeunerweisen + similar till 3rd or final year, ie. many years after they did their grade 8. No harm in trying it though! Kreutzer studies always a good idea and lots of Sevcik! 70-80% of my practise routine is scales, exercises and sevcik/kreutzer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Well done on your exam it sounds like youve done very well and good luck for the Vivaldi (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thank you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) About zigeunerweisen, a lot of people say that but it'll be fun to try even if I'm not learning it seriously, I know it's a HUGE step up from grade 8, like hypothetical grade 12. There's no way I'd perform it!!! Any ideas of challenging/but not too crazy post grade 8 repertoire?

[Hubicka]

Yeah no harm in having a go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd DEFINITELY say start working your way through the Bach sonatas and partitas! One of the most useful things you can have as a violinist. And some Beethoven sonatas... get some concertos in! Mozart, Bruch, Barber, anything else you can think of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd just say start getting the key repertoire under your belt (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[maya3]

concertos - bruch, mendelssohn, mozart, kabalevsky, bach double
bach sonatas and partitas
beethoven sonatas and romances
kreisler - zigeuner capriccio

[BerkshireMum]

Thank you! I actually recorded my pieces last night, if anyone would be kind enough to look... They're not perfect yet but hopefully they will be on the 26th (exam day (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQYctl1E6X0...;feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQrbGydiD3A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKZCU8snpek&feature=plcp

I've only just caught up with this thread, violin123, but I loved listening to your pieces! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Your violin has a very nice sound, and the E string is much nicer than on many violins I've heard. Also very impressed with the tone and your vibrato.

Good luck for the results!

[violin123]

Thanks everyone, I've started a Bach sonata (G minor) but it's really hard, can only play the presto... But that's what practice's for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

And thank so so much BerkshireMum. That really made my day (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I just hope my results come out ok, just fed up of waiting... ooh yes, I love my violin. I'm really lucky to have it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[viola-mad]

Any sign of your results yet? I've been away from a computer for a week or so, but I've just come back and watched your videos, and I'm excited to hear what the examiner thought! I have to say your pieces are really well-prepared. You were very fluent and your playing looks confident and mature. Good stuff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[violin123]

No (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) it was the 26th so hopefully tomorrow. I know it could be any time so getting really scared. Thank you so much, I think that in the exam they weren't quite this standard but hopefully I've done well. I'll post the results when they come (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[violin123]

Well.. it's come through... FINALLY...

Good news: I can now say I passed my grade 8 at the age of 14 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)
Bad news: I'm disappointed with the result..

I got 120/150 = low merit

I'll admit it didn't go as well as expected, and pieces weren't as good as the ones I put on youtube.

I'll show my reaction to each mark with a smily...

Vivaldi - 22 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
Dancla - 26 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)
Williams - 23 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Scales - 15 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
SR - 18 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Aural - 16 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (actually can't believe I got 16 for grade 8 aural !!! )

but overall, I'm really diappointed. I got 133 at grade 7 and 131 at grade 6. The examiner was really scathing about my tone... but... atl east I've passed (with merit) and I'm proud. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Good luck yo any still to come.

[incognito]

Well.. it's come through... FINALLY...

Good news: I can now say I passed my grade 8 at the age of 14 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)
Bad news: I'm disappointed with the result..

I got 120/150 = low merit

I'll admit it didn't go as well as expected, and pieces weren't as good as the ones I put on youtube.

I'll show my reaction to each mark with a smily...

Vivaldi - 22 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
Dancla - 26 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)
Williams - 23 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Scales - 15 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
SR - 18 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Aural - 16 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (actually can't believe I got 16 for grade 8 aural !!! )

but overall, I'm really diappointed. I got 133 at grade 7 and 131 at grade 6. The examiner was really scathing about my tone... but... atl east I've passed (with merit) and I'm proud. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Good luck yo any still to come.

Well done!..the difference between a low merit (or even a pass) and a distinction isn't huge. Onwards and upwards. Be proud and work on that which needs work. You don't have to do it again.

[Hubicka]

Well done, that's a mark to be very proud of, onwards and upwards! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[inigo]

Well done! Grade 8 is a tough one, you did really well!!

[violinlove]

I know you're disappointed with the mark but you did really well and at age 14 too! Your playing is only going to keep on improving from where you are now. Remember it is only a snapshot of how it went on the day. I passed my grade 8 violin with 124 when I was 13 and I was disappointed too but in the grand scheme of things it made no difference to my life! The examiners' comments were very harsh! Interestingly a friend of mine took her grade 8 viola at the same centre on the same day with the same examiner and she got a pass (comments were even more scathing). Her parents had entered her at another centre and she took the exam two weeks later in front of a different examiner, performed better on the day, the examiner was less scathing and she came out with a distinction!

As for the comments about your tone - you can now have a discussion with your teacher about this and decide whether it was a case of being nervous on the day and the quality going to pot or whether there is an underlying issue to be addressed. That said, violinists are always working on improving their tone so some focussed work on this won't do any harm in any case!

Once again, well done! A great achievement.