I've just started on some Grade 3 Piano pieces, and I must say. I'm distressed. I know it's practice practice practice that makes perfect. But I get incredibly disheartened when the difficulty rises sharply. The frustration is overwhelming, slowly slowly edging forward on a piece and the thought of future grade difficulty terrifies me.

I'm not an exam or grade obsessive, but when my teacher played through the new higher grade pieces I was in awe. Much more complexity and beauty than what I had been learning. I desperatly want to be able to play at this new standard..

I'm scared that I will hit a wall, and my progress will stop. I have so much enthusiasm and desire to play that I pray that will never happen.

Have all you guys progressed consistantly, or did you ever hit a hump that took you a long time to cross - that you thought you never could, but when you did you were a better musician?

I have to laugh, I'm very much a beginner! But by golly do I want to be able to play!

It's just a constant series of humps I'm afraid!! Just keep practising!!

Good to have targets, come to Adult Learner concerts!!

I think the jump from Grade 2 to Grade 3 is bigger than that of Grade 1 to Grade 2 so I would expect some difficulty making that transition. Playing two parts in one hand becomes much more common - taking the concentration required to a different level. Don't be despondent!

Don't be despondent! You will get there in the end. You obviously really want to, so your motivation is there. Just enjoy the learning process. Good luck with your Grade 3 pieces - which ones have you chosen?

It's certainly normal to hit difficulties on the way. I notice from your signature that you're doing grade 1 in March and have started the grade 3 pieces (unless I'm misreading it). If this is the case then no wonder you've found that you hit a big hump: it might be better to look at quite a bit of repertoire that gradually builds from grade 1 to grade 3. The big jump would certainly explain why you feel you've hit a brick wall. The bigger jumps in progress one tries to make the bigger brick walls one has to overcome: the ride is much smoother if one takes things more gradually and one doesn't actually get there any slower (maybe longer to get to the grade but not longer to get to the actual standard one is wanted). Everyone needs challenging and stretching now and again, and this is a good thing, but if you are feeling you've hit a brick wall working gradually up to that standard can mean you get there in just the same length of time (having said that working gradually does not confer immunity to brick walls ).

Also with studying for grade 3 whilst doing grade 1 don't neglect other repertoire as well as the exams, it's not possible to properly learn to play the piano just doing the 3 grade exam pieces for each grade: there's simply not enough breadth and experience there to give you the foundation and technique you need to move on.

How do you find the sightreading by the way? Grade 3 sightreading is quite a big jump from grade 1 I found.

Thanks guys, this is my first major freak out with the increased difficulty. I've been consistantly improving since I started the grade system with my regular lessons last year. If I get over this hump, then I'll be more confident that any future ones can be overcome with practice.

I'm just doing Sonatina In B Flat, haven't chosen any other pieces yet. I'm not in any hurry to just play 3 pieces perfectly so I've got some personal choices too. My teacher insists I learn some Guns and Roses so I'm working through the Use Your Illusion book His choice!


edit: AnotherPianist posted while I was typing.

I believe I've been Grade 1/2 standard for a long time, but I can only do exams when the term time allows.
I booked Grade 1 when I started with my teacher 5 months ago, and have been working on all Grade 2 material, personal stuff and sight reading etc. since then. My teacher is happy with my progress (he insists I learn much more than just 3 pieces for the exam - and I totally agree) and suggested the next grade. So I haven't just jumped from 1 to 3. Though it feels like I have

I noticed on the cello the leap between the grade 1 and 2 pieces was almost non-existent, but there are far more technical demands in the grade 3 pieces I'm playing now. I think grade 1 and 2 is a bit like learning how to fasten the laces on a pair of skates. Grade 3 is learning how to move on the ice without falling over. It's a big difference.

Oh and sightreading, I'm confident with Grade 1 (all the exercises in the ABRSM example exam book), grade 2 is a lot harder for me so I'm concentrating mostly on that in practice time. Grade 3 I haven't even looked at! I can only imagine the pain!

Hi Tomosiano,

I remembered that even after learning and practising my exam pieces for a few weeks, I was still far away from my teacher's expected standard. Even today (after practising for more than 7 months and waiting for my grade 4 exam this Apr/May), I still sometimes make slips or can't get the expected results. However, I think the most important thing is that I know I have made little progresses slowly after making constant practices.

Don't feel worried or disappointed when you find that you seem to be far away from your teacher's expectation. If we can make it in only a few days or a few weeks, we should be at a higher level instead (this is also what my teacher told me).

Actually, whenever I start practising a new piece of music, I find myself seem to progress very slowly as I need to find out all the notes and keep the expression (such as loud or soft) in mind. But when I become familiar with the piece after practising for many times, I'll find it easier to handle and can pick up quickly even when slips happen. Remember that learning to play music should be enjoyable

Some things I keep in mind when I'm trying to make sure I continue to progress:

At the start of a practice session decide what aspect I'm going to work on, and what I'm going to do to improve that part of the playing.

At the end of a practice session think about where I've made progress, what worked and what I still need to do in that area.

Remember that to practise effectively you have to work on the things you can't do. I've just realised that I've got set in a routine of practising that 6 months ago was addressing the areas I found difficult, now they're a lot easier but it means this routine isn't helping me to move on anymore. I got some very good advice about things to work on at a lesson the other evening, and started with them last night. Boy were they difficult, but I guess that's the point. Fingers crossed that in 6 months time I'll have made some progress.

I am also studying Grade 3 piano, I will hopefully be doing the exam in May.

I found the jump from Grade 2 to Grade 3 quite big. But over the last 6 months it's slowly starting to come together.

Don't expect it all to happen overnight!
Just keep at it.
I get frustrated at how long it takes to play things well. But then I remember that if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.

Good luck