I've been practising the first movement of this sonata for a couple of weeks having played the cantilena for grade 7 but I'm really not getting into it. Normally after I've played through a piece a few times I can sort of get an idea of it's shape and whether or not I like it but this one is really causing me problems because it's all over the place.

Has anyone else played this piece for grade 8 flute? Did they have the same problems? I know it's going to take some time to play any grade 8 piece well, but I should be able to make the opening sound musical by now shouldn't I? Or should I give up and try one of the other pieces from list B?

any advice anyone? Thanks.

Well, first the usual question, what does your teacher think? He or she knows you and your capabilities, and can advise more knowledgably than a stranger.

Next question, who chose the Poulenc, you or your teacher? If your teacher usually chooses pieces for you, it might be worth asking why this particluar one.

Have you had a chance to listen to the other Grade 8 List B pieces yet? If not, then it might be an idea to listen to as many of the options as possible, as there may be a piece you would really love on the list. It would also be a good idea to listen to a recording of the Poulenc if you haven't already done so, as it will help to get an idea of the overall shape of the movement.

The opening few notes are very tricky to play well, because the intervals between them require a lot of precision in the embouchure. There are some other challenging technical aspects to the movement (like the infamous double-tonguing) which need patience and persistance to perfect. It may be that another piece would suit you better, but two weeks is not very long to have worked on a piece of this complexity.

If you do change to another piece, then you might enjoy the Mouquet Flute de Pan, where you have two movements to choose from, or the York Bowen Andante piacevole.

Finally, I (a long time ago) was in the same position as you, and switched from the Poulenc (which I deperately wanted to play) to a different piece for my Grade 8. I ended up with a distinction, so it was the right decision for me. Best of luck with your choice.

If you don't like it, just don't do it.

i would stick at it and try really hard with it for another few weeks then if you really aren't enjoying it or you are struggling to play it then change!

Hi Tamsin - be patient with the Poulenc! The whole sonata is an absolute must for any flautist. As a teacher, however, I am well aware of which students it would suit although eventually I like them all to have a good crack at it, even if it isn't the final choice for examination. Try digging out Patrick Gallois' recording which is super - you can't beat the French playing French! If your teacher plays piano then ask him/her to play along with you - the harmonies are just to die for and soloist and accompanist have to really click. My preferred alternative would be the York Bowen which I find technically less demanding but consequently perhaps not quite as rewarding to play. Either way, let us know how you get on and GOOD LUCK!

well, I've tried to work quite hard on this piece this week (fitting it round GCSE revision) and I think I'm making progress at last! At least I'm starting to quite like the piece, it is going to need a fair bit of work though though once my exams are over I'll have that lovely long summer break before college- plenty of time for practise. Unfortunetly my flute teacher doesn't play piano (make aurals a bit nightmarish!!0 so I'll just have to wail before I can hear what the accompaniment goes like- I'm not sure I can wait!

thanks for the advice and encouragement.

Tamsin - the Poulenc is a lovely piece and is staple diet for a flautist as people have said, but it doesn't mean you have to do it for grade eight. There are plenty of pieces that "everyone" seems to do for grade eight flute. I didn't do any of them (some weren't on that year, e.g. the Mozart G concerto, and for list B I did the Prokofiev not the Poulenc) and it hasn't done me any harm since I learnt them all post grade eight anyway.

I changed one of my pieces realtively late in the day for both grades six and seven and still scored well (the one I changed at the last minute was my best scoring piece for grade seven, can't remember for grade six but I got distinction so it must have been OK). The pieces I changed from were things I just didn't feel I was getting anywhere with, and once I changed to something else, I was fine and made rapid progress. You should definitely try playing the Poulenc to the accompaniment though, if nobody can play the piano for you buy the CD and play along, because I think it will make a lot more sense then, when you see how it fits together. Of all the pieces I know, the Poulenc ranks up there with those that make the least musical sense when played unaccompanied!! I really think it would help.

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Unfortunetly my flute teacher doesn't play piano (make aurals a bit nightmarish!!

Buy the book and the CD and do them by yourself at home. I found this very helpful, and it was good for my confidence as well as my skills.

Helena

I took my grade 8 in March, and now my teacher is making me play the Poulenc Sonata- so you may as well learn it as it is an important piece for the flute.

I did the York Bowen for my B piece- it is a really nice piece- and not too hard.
The Kennan 'Night Soliloquy' is also a beautiful piece- if I had done my grade 8 using the new list- i would have chosen that one.

As long as you like the Poulenc, then you should stick with it- but try playing some of the other pieces as well to give you a choice- for my grade 8 exam, i learned 3/4 pieces from each list and chose the ones i was going to do 2 weeks before the exam (I did the Danzi Concerto, the Bowen Sonata and Syrinx in the end).

In my opinion, the Widor Suite Op. 34 Romance (#8) is quite nice doesn't require that much practice.

Hi,
I am taking my grade 8 flute this term, and my teacher and I chose to do the Poulenc sonata.
I didn't like it at first, and I'm not brilliant at it (figure 4 to the bottom of the page is not fun ) but it is a great piece, and when it goes well, it sounds amazing.
I would stick at it, if I were you!

I recall when my daughter was at school, she had several flautist friends , and they ALL did the Poulenc for Grade 8. ! (14 yrs ago) . I accompanied one once, though not for the exam, its a great piece , as are his Clarinet and Oboe Sonatas.

Goodness, this is a OLD thread! I took and failed that G8 exam... oooh... about 4 years ago now! I did play the Polenc in the end, but I only came to like it just before the exam when I started working with a really inspiring pianist to put the piano and flute parts together.

I really ought to get around to learning the third movement some day, though there has never seemed much point without a decent/brave pianist to play it with!

It took me about 5 months to sort out the double tonguing, but I loved it. However, if it's not for you, try something else because there are some really beautiful pieces and there are some particularly awkard bits in the Poulenc. And in addition to this, virtually everyone does it, and so the examiner might give you bonus marks for giving them a change of tune!

anyone else think that they're basically the same material re-jigged for the different instruments? they're good - but perhaps he should only have written one.