Okay I'm doing G5 normal piano exam but have just read about those jazz ones...
I really like playing jazz though my improvisation needs more work would it be worth getting the G1 book and entering the exam?
Has anyone done the exam? What is it like?

For sure!!! Get the books from grade 1-3 and then go to your favourite CD store and get a bunch of CDs. There is a lot of stuff to choose from, and it's hard to find the really good stuff, so when you are learning a piece, look at the suggested listening at the bottom of the piece. Usually the board has chosen recordings of the person who made the piece really really famous - which is great if you have no idea how you are supposed to play the piece!!

I also suggest that if you see any recordings going for cheap by the following pianists (as a starting point). Pls note this is in no particular order...

Herbie Hancock
Oscar Peterson
Red Garland
Bill Evans
Ray Bryant
Phineas Newborn (one of me faves!!)
Hank Jones (the piano player, not the drummer, tho the drummer rocks too!)
Vince Guaraldi
Wynton Kelly
Tommy Flanagan (this guy rocks too)
Bobby Timmons
Keith Jarrett (get his trio stuff or quartet stuff to start with, before moving on to his solo works!)

There are a LOT of awesome people to listen to and get inspiration and confidence from - especially for soloing and interesting ideas with melodies and arrangements, but this list is good when you havent really got any idea where to start yet. There are a lot of modern guys out there too, who are just incredible players, but they might be better to check out later down the track, once you have a real understanding and passion for the music. Otherwise its like trying to dive off a 20metre board before you can even tread water.

Anyway, hope this helps!! Let me know if you need more help or ideas on how to manipulate melodies, or get rhythms right, or even soloing ideas.

Sally

I have just started to take the jazz exams, I have become very addicted. They are a great alternative to classical exams... although both are great fun! The best thing is to just try it out, I mean some of the pieces, as already said, and just give it go. LCM are now doing grades 6-8 too, so that's something for the future ...