Hi All,

My exam is in 3 weeks time. I was listening to the recording of this piece and noticed that some passages are played staccato, though not very obvious. There is nowhere marked staccato on the piece (left to player's discretion). So now I'm having doubts as to what I should do. I know that the recorded music is only a guidance but should I try those passages out as staccato?

I also have a problem with page turning on this piece... I either turn the 2nd page and stop playing momentarily or else I have to turn 2 pages stuck together... very awkward

Would really appreciate your help!!!

Many thanks

With only 3 weeks to go it's probably not a good idea to start making much change in the way you articulate a piece.
Did you prefer the sound of the version with staccato?
At this level you have to make more of your own decisions about interpretation and as long as what you play is done with conviction I wouldn't get to worried about it (too late to now anyway).

If you can't manage the page turn will it work with a copy of one page?

Experiment a little with the staccato - make it your own. Perhaps try what they play on the CD, and then move the section that you staccato. Is there a section that is repeated? Could you perhaps use the staccato here to create a contrast, a different version of the same melody?

As for the page turns, you won't be marked down for having a little pause while you turn the page. It would be nice though, to be able to turn it smoothly. Perhaps memorise the first few bars of the next page up to a point where you can turn it comfortably?

Hi Tyler, here's my two cents on the piece...haven't played it much since my exam last spring.

Well, because Scarlatti was born in the baroque period, his pieces seem to have the intention of being written for harpsichord, which is why I think the running passages (the ones where you have to cross hands) are a little staccato. It's more detached than staccato, because Scarlatti's music is not that...bouncy in nature. That was my teacher's interpretation of it.

However, with all exams, I highly doubt they would take off marks because your interpretation is not exactly like the composer's intention (which no one could really know for sure) or the ABRSM recording. Granted, the examiner might give a couple extra marks if s/he liked your interpretation (also, in my opinion, playing the running passages detached is a bit more challenging), but s/he wouldn't take off marks just because of the way you interpreted that passage.

Again, I agree it's only three weeks before your exam, so I don't know if I would advise a change. Also, talk to your teacher about how s/he feels about the recording vs. the way you are playing it.

Finally, can you photocopy the music for the page turn?

I just had my practical exams in August. I think I've tried my best to play as best i could! And i'm glad to say that i got a merit in Grade 8 piano. But my teacher hasn't gave me the result slips that maybe i can just let you know marks allocated for my pieces!

Talking about during my exam, regarding the page turning problem, both my 3 pieces, i.e. A3, B2, C1, I just turn to the 1st page of the pieces then i played from my memory.. maybe i've practised much before exam. Just try to play without stopping and memorize as much as you can, especially the Scarlatti piece, i'm playing changing hands(a bit detached in the last 3 notes of the bar) in the arpeggios part. there isn't enough rests to turn the page. but as what a little happy said, no marks will be deducted. in my opinion, at that time, most of the candidates will be very nervous and this will kill their pieces too. So don't let this problem kill your grade 8 too!

3 weeks time is still long, i suggest you memorize the pieces well, play the scales well, in good tone, with some phrasing. The 1st piece is not difficult.. Do you mind to tell what pieces you are going to play? Mine is A3, B2 and C1, all i memorized well before i have my exam!

But anyway, good luck to you Tyler!

Dennis~~

Thanks to all for your replies, I really appreciate.
I agree with you Sbhoa, I can’t afford to make many big changes otherwise I panic. I do have some parts which I play staccato, well just detached mainly and some parts of the music are automatically detached kind of. I agree with you re interpretation too, I’m sure that at this level the examiner is after my own interpretation and style.

I will experiment a bit with the contrast and see if I’m comfortable with it thanks Oddball
I have memorized a good chunk of the page turn bit so I guess I will not find it difficult to turn the page at a later point. Will work on it too.

My pieces are Scarlatti, CPE Bach Allegro Assai – Sonata in F minor and Debussy – First Arabesque.
I didn’t really get the chance to memorize them all. I know pieces here and there by heart but definitely not all of it. I started studying the pieces last December and in the meantime changed the C list from Arensky to Debussy. I really need to do well in this exam as I will not be able to resit in the March session (I’ll be on my honeymoon then hehe)

Dennis well done!!!! Merit is very good for grade 8 in my opinion
And well done to A Little Happy too! Distinction!! Wow

Again thanks to all

Good luck with your exam.

I did the opposite to you with my C piece...... I wasn't getting on much with the Debussy so after about 6 weeks my teacher suggested we changed it and I played the Arensky which I found much easier to learn.

well it is not that I found it much easier but I finally got the hang of it and am managing to play it ok. I hope the examiner will think so too!

I also played Sonata In D by D. Scarlatti.
Regarding the page turning problem, my teacher advised me to photocopy the last two pages. I then taped them(neatly!) side by side, and taped it on the right hand edge of the first two pages. My teacher says that as long as everything is done neatly, the examiner would not fuss. I actually did that with this piece and my C piece, the Arensky. My examiner didn't seem to mind.

Thanks Emily, good to know. I just thought that spreading out 4 pages would have been a bit too much

Tyler , I think I'm too late to post a reply here , so I have nothing else to add except wishing you best of luck.
Do tell us how things go.

Sorry for not being helpfull.

Dina.

Hi Dina,
not late at all, thank you for your wishes. I really hope to do well too!!!
Thanks for your support

Hey Tyler,

don't worry.. just play your best, do well in scales, sight-reading as well as aural tests! then you should be fine!

Waiting for your good news! Hope you can pass with distinction!

Best wishes,

Dennis~~

p/s: Emily92, which country are you from?

Hi Dennis
Distinction is out of my league I'm afraid I already know that. At this point I would be very happy to pass.
And my sight reading is not that good either. Oh my

Me too.. my sight reading was terrible, horrible! hehe.. I think i failed that part but my teacher still hasn't passed me the result slip!

Dennis~~

Yes, I always struggle with that. Hopefully I'll do well in the other sections to compensate for the bad sightreading

haha! Hopefully! Anyway where are you from?

Malta

Nice place! ok! i got to go now! anything just PM me! Good luck in your piano exam!

thanks!