I read yesterday that someone was still waiting for their result from mid November so I had almost written off receiving this for a while.

Didn't quite make it - in fact only got 56/100 and the pass mark is 60.

Definitely the gloves are off with exams at this level and they jump on things like 'lack of precision in staccato playing' and 'blurred pedalling'. Technical limitations seem to have been the problem.

I can't see any reference to my programme notes (I was particularly pleased with those) but inevitably reports like these make you feel like locking the piano and throwing away the key.

I'll be ok in a day or two but I'm glad I had primed myself for missing it by a few marks.


* goes off in search of gin bottle*

Bad luck mel. To miss out by a handful of marks is very frustrating, but to have done so well at this level is to be commended.

56 is a very near miss : hard luck, mel2. Hope all's better for the next time.

Sorry to hear it wasn't the result you wanted, Mel2.

Hopefully the feedback they've given you will provide enough guidance to enable you to pick up those few extra marks next time.

So close Mel2! Bad luck. You'll do it next time.
morceau x

Sorry to hear the news, mel2. I narrowly missed LRSM at my first attempt and remember how frustrating that felt.

Sorry to hear this. How very frustrating to get so close.

Sorry to hear this and I hope the comments were constructive.

Slightly terrified now seeing as I am taking my LTCL this year.

I thought they were supposed to make reference to the programme notes at the section at the bottom about presentation (?).

Sorry to hear this, and so frustratingly close....

Bad luck Mel, next time though.

Ah, a shame to have come so close. Hope the next one goes better.

Sorry to hear this, mel2 - you were so close. Definitely don't lock the piano up, as there are many of us still out here who would love to be anything like as good a pianist as you are!

I know what you mean about the blow to your confidence, but at least you will know when you pass next time that you have a qualification which is only given to those on top form. Licentiate is a very high standard.

Sorry to hear that mel ! I got 55 or 56 for ATCL organ way back in 1965, Never did retake it ! In fact it was the last exam I ever took .
Do try again.

What lovely people!

I should have known not to trust the post; the whole day has been yuck starting with a phone call at 08.40 (it's Saturday, fgs!) from an old lady asking for a ride to church tomorrow. The scales then told me I had put on a lb and my wii fit score aged me at 2 years older than I am!

I read the damning exam report (I never seem to do well with lady examiners) which pointed out all my errors but had little good to say. Went to bury myself in some Bach at church but all I could think about was how rubbish I was.

I guess everyone has days like this if they put themselves forward for assessment. All your words of encouragement have meant a lot and I will try harder next time, if and when I can face it.

You're not rubbish in the slightest

Bad luck, mel2. I'm sure you'll make it if you decide to re-take it.

Sorry to hear your news Mel - just catching up. Bad luck to have missed it by so few marks.

Better day tomorrow !

I suppose the feeling must be that if it's a professional qualification, it's okay to be disheartening in the remarks made on an exam sheet - not sure if that's true though - commiserations. I know there have been many comments about disparity between exam comments and the score received, but surely it wouldn't hurt to be even a little constructive in criticism? I too had a lady examiner for my last, reasonably friendly, but the comments on my mark sheet were so very lukewarm that she actually spoiled a good deal of the pleasure of passing for me - it's be so nice if they could at least sweeten the pill a bit if it's bad news being delivered, too.

Do sit it again, when you've rallied: it's a close result, and it'll feel that much more valued to you to have the qualification in due course. .

I can completely appreciate how this feels, having received the exact same kind of exam report for DipABRSM last year.

On one hand, and being objective, I suppose it's the examiner's job to point out problems and to focus on helping you improve and pass next time. To an extent, I would feel quite offended if the examiner report said "you failed, but anyway here are all the things you did really well and better luck next time". On the other hand, there's a difference, however subtle, between constructive criticism and outright contempt. To use your first post as an example, there's a difference between "in passage x, the pedalling could have been clearer/cleaner/better thought out" and "THE PEDALLING WAS BLURRED! YOU DESTROYED THE PIECE! QUIT NOW!". There is never any need for the latter attitude, I don't think.

Take some time out to get over the stress of this exam, waiting for and receiving the result. Play for your own enjoyment- get out some pieces you consider easy and play them beautifully to convince yourself that you are a good pianist and that regardless of this exam, you still enjoy playing. When you have your confidence back, then you will be in a position to consider whether or not to retake.

Hope you feel better soon =]

Absolutely. I'd love to be a nearly-LTCL-standard performer!

Commiserations Mel2. I failed ALCM first time by a few marks, but returned with renewed vigour and slightly fewer nerves the second time and was successful.

As you say, you'll feel "not-so-bad" in a few days time, and then you can begin planning your second assault!

Thank you all for your thoughts and experiences; it's good to know that it's not just me on the receiving end of faint praise, although I'm sorry others have had it too.

It is heartening to have so much encouragement to try again and I shall; but there seems little point in going over old ground so will put together a new programme and (hopefully) broaden my repertoire and refine my technique where it is so obviously weak. The thing is, it could easily take another 2 years to be ready and I'm no spring chicken.

Sorry to read of your disappointment and hope you are feeling better. You were so close and it must be so frustrating. I wouldn't worry about the length of time it will take. Enjoy the journey.

So sorry to read about your fail. But congratulations for being this resilient. Hope you are really feeling better today.

Sorry to learn of your disappointment, but no matter what results you get, the experience is certainly worth. Think of it as a platform, as an experience, because it is the preparation of this exam that makes you push yourself to perfect your pieces. And also because it gives you a platform to experience a recital. I hope to see you get back up again and all the best.