Full Version: Piano Exams
As the parent of a 9 year old child who has just taken the Grade 5 piano practical, could anyone please advise me of the approximate average age for students at this level as I have absolutely no knowledge of music myself? His teacher thinks he did quite well to pass but I have no comparison. Any advice would be gratefully received.
9 years old at grade 5 is really good! I don't know about other people on forums but i only started when i was 9 and did grade 5 when i was about 12 i think. Among most of my friends average grade 5 time is from about 11 to 14 for people who started about the same time as i did. Really, it depends on ability and how much you practise. When did your child start learning?
That is pretty impressive.
Don't know about average ages (seem to remember a thread about it some time) but personally I would consider grade 5 at 13 or 14 to be quite reasonable. As far as acreditation goes it is around the level of top grades at GCSE.
Don't know about average ages (seem to remember a thread about it some time) but personally I would consider grade 5 at 13 or 14 to be quite reasonable. As far as acreditation goes it is around the level of top grades at GCSE.
Wow your child must have alot of talent. You must be very proud.I would also agree that 14-ish bobbing on both sides is usually an average for grade 5. But like people have mentioned it is really down to the amount of practise, how quickly it has been picked up and the age the person started.
That seems very advanced for a nine year old but not unheard of. There is no way of really defining at what level different ages should be add. For example, I've just had a 69 year old pass grade 3!
David
David
Hi pianomum
Passing grade 5 piano at 9 is very good although as dcmbarton says it is not unheard of. Children seem to be achieving higher and higher grades at a younger age. At the North London Festival they have started to specify grade levels as there are so many talented youngsters around. For example they have classes for 7, 8 and 9 year olds where they specify grades 1 - 4 only. Many of the younger children will indeed be playing pieces at around grade 4/5 level. There is also a class for 10 years and under, Grade 5 and above.
The important thing really is not to compare him with other children but try and make sure he is reaching his own potential. I have had several pupils reach grade 5 aged around 9 and 10, some with distinctions. I find that their progress often slows down a little as they need to mature and develop musically. The higher grades demand a greater sense of musicality and style which a younger child can sometimes find difficult. I would advise against rushing him through any grades - let him explore lots of different styles of music and perhaps play duets and trios with friends. If he is finding it all very easy it might be worth also looking at another instrument for him as well. Maybe an orchestral instrument - cello? violin? french horn??
Both my boys play the piano and after a few years they began their second instruments - violin and cello. They made great progress on these instruments as after the piano the reading of the music was so easy. Its lovely for them to be able to make music with others as the piano can sometimes be a bit solitary.
Good luck!
Passing grade 5 piano at 9 is very good although as dcmbarton says it is not unheard of. Children seem to be achieving higher and higher grades at a younger age. At the North London Festival they have started to specify grade levels as there are so many talented youngsters around. For example they have classes for 7, 8 and 9 year olds where they specify grades 1 - 4 only. Many of the younger children will indeed be playing pieces at around grade 4/5 level. There is also a class for 10 years and under, Grade 5 and above.
The important thing really is not to compare him with other children but try and make sure he is reaching his own potential. I have had several pupils reach grade 5 aged around 9 and 10, some with distinctions. I find that their progress often slows down a little as they need to mature and develop musically. The higher grades demand a greater sense of musicality and style which a younger child can sometimes find difficult. I would advise against rushing him through any grades - let him explore lots of different styles of music and perhaps play duets and trios with friends. If he is finding it all very easy it might be worth also looking at another instrument for him as well. Maybe an orchestral instrument - cello? violin? french horn??
Both my boys play the piano and after a few years they began their second instruments - violin and cello. They made great progress on these instruments as after the piano the reading of the music was so easy. Its lovely for them to be able to make music with others as the piano can sometimes be a bit solitary.
Good luck!
Well, I'm 15 and I passed my Grade 5 last June. 
But I did only start at 12...
But I did only start at 12...
I would say to reach Grade 5 at age 9 is exceptional. Encourage him all you can. I agree with Margaret though - don't rush him into higher grades. They get a lot more difficult and require far greater musicianship and maturity. Let him explore music of different periods and styles and above all enjoy his playing. Encourage him to play to other people too. 
QUOTE(crazy_purple_piano_freak @ Jan 3 2006, 06:22 PM) 
9 years old at grade 5 is really good! I don't know about other people on forums but i only started when i was 9 and did grade 5 when i was about 12 i think. Among most of my friends average grade 5 time is from about 11 to 14 for people who started about the same time as i did. Really, it depends on ability and how much you practise. When did your child start learning?
He started at the age of 6.
QUOTE(margaret @ Jan 3 2006, 08:20 PM)
Hi pianomum
Passing grade 5 piano at 9 is very good although as dcmbarton says it is not unheard of. Children seem to be achieving higher and higher grades at a younger age. At the North London Festival they have started to specify grade levels as there are so many talented youngsters around. For example they have classes for 7, 8 and 9 year olds where they specify grades 1 - 4 only. Many of the younger children will indeed be playing pieces at around grade 4/5 level. There is also a class for 10 years and under, Grade 5 and above.
The important thing really is not to compare him with other children but try and make sure he is reaching his own potential. I have had several pupils reach grade 5 aged around 9 and 10, some with distinctions. I find that their progress often slows down a little as they need to mature and develop musically. The higher grades demand a greater sense of musicality and style which a younger child can sometimes find difficult. I would advise against rushing him through any grades - let him explore lots of different styles of music and perhaps play duets and trios with friends. If he is finding it all very easy it might be worth also looking at another instrument for him as well. Maybe an orchestral instrument - cello? violin? french horn??
Both my boys play the piano and after a few years they began their second instruments - violin and cello. They made great progress on these instruments as after the piano the reading of the music was so easy. Its lovely for them to be able to make music with others as the piano can sometimes be a bit solitary.
Good luck!
I would totally agree with everything that Margaret says here. Having done Grade 5 he's going to have to catch his theory up before further ABRSM practical exams can be taken and, whatever, he needs to mature as a musician and study a wide range of music now to develop his talent.
A second instrument that gives orchestral/ensemble experience is a really good idea for a musical child who's already going well on the piano. He may well excel at some of the more unusual instruments such as horn, oboe, double bass etc which a lot of children find too hard.
Additionally, I can't remember if you've said where you live but have you thought about trying him for one of the Music College Junior Departments if he's really promising? He'd probably get a lot from one of those if he could get in.
Best of luck to him.
QUOTE(Pianomum @ Jan 4 2006, 11:59 AM)
QUOTE(crazy_purple_piano_freak @ Jan 3 2006, 06:22 PM)
9 years old at grade 5 is really good! I don't know about other people on forums but i only started when i was 9 and did grade 5 when i was about 12 i think. Among most of my friends average grade 5 time is from about 11 to 14 for people who started about the same time as i did. Really, it depends on ability and how much you practise. When did your child start learning?
He started at the age of 6.
Getting to grade 5 in 3 years is fast at any age for a first instrument.
It can take 18 months to reach grade 1 at a reasonable rate of prigress.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.