: 1st post on this forum so take it easy!! lol

Been learning violin since late july this year and my teacher asked if I would like to take grade exams, I jumped at the chance.

I have no previous violin experience and am still scratchy and have a few problems with some scales and slurring as I have a tendancy to rush.

Pieces I have chosen are as follows,

A:1 Mattachins
B:3 Daisy Bell
C:1 Pennsylvania 6-5000

Have I chosen wisely?

Hello and welcome to the Forums

Welcome also to the wonderful world of violining


Your exam choices look pretty good to me. I think the main thing that matters is that you enjoy them. If that's in place, then you'll be fine.


Best of luck with the exam

Thanks

I really love the violin and just regret not doing it sooner (im 36 in november)

I do get frustrated as I practice every single day for at least 15 mins, usually double that, but as soon as I have my regular lesson with tutor I go to pieces!!

Just cant seem to concentrate!!! Practice I suppose?

This is soooo common. I used to get nervous before every lesson. It does get better the more you get to know your teacher but never quite goes away!!!

Good luck for the exam from another oldie beginnner violinist

Hi there, I've started violin last year age 39 and also wish I'd done this years ago. I still get nervous in front of my teacher! I think it's normal. Whatever pieces you pick, do make sure you play lots of different pieces as well.
Good luck from yet another old-ish beginner!
Are you doing the exam this term?

Well im practicing song one and pieces of mattachins but it wont stay in my memory!!

Just cant keep it in there at the moment but hopefully if I play a song exclusivly for a month each im hoping they will sink in.

As for the actual exam im in no real rush, hopefully next summer but you never know?

Welcome to the forum!

You've not been playing very long so don't worry - all aspects will improve as you continue with your teacher. And don't worry about the age thing: I started violin about 39-40 and between taking some time off and other stuff I've now switched to VIOLA and play in an orchestra and regularly play duets with friend too. I'm having great fun and thoroughly enjoying it (although I won't be giving up my day-job )

Oh, there will be downs with the ups but it's excellent to have this kind of challenge in life.

Good luck with your exam and come and check out the 'Viva Strings' of this forum too




Don't worry - you don't need to play them from memory! You'll have your music in the exam. Having said that by the time I have taken exams I was able to hum my tunes completely when I was driving/dogwalking/washing-the-dishes etc

Welcome! I'm a late learner too and started learning flute this June at 35. I'm enjoying it and like you, wish I'd done it sooner.

Nerves (I'm coming to realise) are normal. I get nervous before and during my lessons too despite practising fine and nerveless at home! It is annoying but others have said their nerves improved with time, so I'm hoping for the same. I started a thread entitled 'nerves' in the adult learner part of the forum because I thought I was the only one who wobbled like a jelly while playing for my teacher!

Good luck with your exam. I'm aiming to do my first exam next winter when I'll have been playing for just over a year. Not sure what grade it'll be yet.

Phew! sure my teacher said I would have to remember them as sheets not allowed?

Must have misheard but will ask him again, thanks.

Scales need to be played from memory, but your pieces do not.