has anyone taken the jazz saxophone exams? I wanted to know if it is worth trying them or stick to the normal grades?!!

Do you like jazz?

He makes an excellent point - do you? You've never actually told me - but I'd stick to classical if you just want a high grade within the next year.

yes i like jazz

As David says if your just looking at attaining a high grade certificate stick with the classical, if your looking at making money as a semi/full time pro musician you must look at the jazz grades as they will help you develop more rounded skills. Personally i feel it is easier to make money in the popular music genre than in the classical as their is so much more of a demand in popular music's ecclectic style.

But if you want to teach, then you need knowledge of both anyway.

You must remember though, grades aren't hugely important once you get onto the degree course you're going for.

Bear in mind the jazz grades only go up to grade 5 at the moment, to get into any decent University they will want grade 8 practical and quite possibly grade 8 theory as well as the standard entrance qualifications.

As odd as it may sound their are people who complete Music Degrees before they even complete their grades, i guess their are a number of music related courses now where performance ability is not as important as other areas in music. I know infact several students who completed music courses who's ability at playing is no more than grade 5.

What courses would acept music students whose playing isn't more advanced than Grade 5? You mean composition courses, or music technology degrees?

QUOTE (Violinia @ May 15 2004, 11:29 AM)

What courses would acept music students whose playing isn't more advanced than Grade 5?

ye which courses are they?! i want to know more!!

ive decided to stick with the classical grades

Yes your right i'm referring to courses such as Music Tech/Performing Arts ect.....This also includes HND's as well as Degree related courses. Its all very bizarre IMHO

I know that for the jazz courses at various music colleges (such as the Royal acedemy, Birmingham conservatoire, Leeds etc) your expected to perform to grade 8 standard in the audition but don't have to have taken the practical exam. I know 2 pianists doing the jazz course at the conservatoire and neither have got grade 8 (though they are amazing players).

Yes the point I was getting at is that surely if you were going to do a music degree, you should be able to play to a pretty high standard (with or without grade passes - they can always audition you).

If not, then you could have a music graduate going on to do a PGCE and then ending up teaching music in schools when they can only play/sing/whatever to a mediocre standard themselves. Not really on in my view.

you mean like the head of music I was told about (true story) who couldn't find middle C on the school piano because there was no keyhole?

Doesn't sound like a real story to me

QUOTE

you mean like the head of music I was told about (true story) who couldn't find middle C on the school piano because there was no keyhole?

Yikes!!!