I've doing 3 grade 5 exams this year (piano, violin, theory). never done any before, so I don't really know what to expect. can any1 help me with these Qs:

* what sort of things do they ask u in the aural part? what things should I learn to prepare for it?

* how many scales are u asked to play? (not all of them, surely )

* in the theory, would u recommend composing for voice or instrument? which is easier?

* some people seem quite nervous about upcoming exams . is it really that big a deal?

Ok, heres what you need:

*Aural at grade 5:
A To sing or play from memory a short melody played twice by the examiner. The key-chord and starting note will first be sounded and named, and the pulse indicated. A second attempt will be allowed if necessary.

B To sing six notes from score in free time within the range of a fifth above and a fourth below the tonic in any major key up to two sharps or flats. The test will begin and end on the tonic and will not contain any intervals greater than a third, except for the rising fourth from dominant to tonic. The examiner will play and name the key-chord and tonic, and, if necessary, play each note after it has been attempted. Candidates may choose to sing the test from the treble or bass clef.

C1 To identify certain features of a piece played by the examiner. The features will be confined to dynamics (p/f), gradation of tone (crescendo/diminuendo), articulation (staccato/legato), tempo changes (rallentando/accelerando etc.), recognition of major and minor tonality, and general perception of texture, rhythm, form, style and period, of which the examiner will select one or two and advise the candidate accordingly before playing the piece. Questions on the selected features will then follow. Candidates are encouraged to use Italian terms in their answers where appropriate.

2 To clap the rhythm of a short extract played twice by the examiner from the above piece and state whether it is in 2, 3 or 4 time.

* Scales:
- Piano grade 5: SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS: from memory:

Scales:

in similar motion with hands together one octave apart, and with each hand separately, in all keys, major and minor (melodic or harmonic at candidate's choice) (three octaves)
in contrary motion with both hands beginning and ending on the key-note (unison), in the keys specified in one of the following groups chosen by the candidate (two octaves):
Group 1: A, F, D flat majors and harmonic minors

Group 2: D, F sharp, B flat majors and harmonic minors

Chromatic Scales:

in similar motion with hands together one octave apart, and with each hand separately, beginning on any note named by the examiner (three octaves)
in contrary motion with hands beginning and ending on the same note (unison), beginning on D and A flat (two octaves)
Arpeggios: the major and minor common chords of all keys, in root position only, in similar motion with hands together one octave apart, and with each hand separately (two octaves)

- Violin grade 5: SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS: from memory, in the following keys:

A flat, B, C, E flat, E majors; G sharp, B, C, E minors (two octaves)

G major; G minor (three octaves)

Scales: in the above keys (minors in melodic or harmonic form at candidate's choice):

* Whichever you feel more confident at!

* You don't ned to be nervous if you prepare well and remember that you can only do your best!
PS: Dont you have a syllabus for piano and violin??? You can download them from the exams tab on this website!

QUOTE (musical_me @ Jul 12 2004, 08:48 AM)

* some people seem quite nervous about upcoming exams . is it really that big a deal?

I find the butterflies start when I arrive at the venue - I just can't help it! It's natural reaction for most people I think.

QUOTE (carys @ Jul 12 2004, 04:38 PM)

QUOTE (musical_me @ Jul 12 2004, 08:48 AM) * some people seem quite nervous about upcoming exams . is it really that big a deal?  :wacko: I find the butterflies start when I arrive at the venue - I just can't help it! It's natural reaction for most people I think.

Definately. But, ironically, I think the most confident people usually dont do as well as others... Maybe its something to do woth adrenaline??

wow thanx Subatomic_Star, that helps heaps!!! *goes to look at syllabus*

Glad I could help!

QUOTE (Subatomic_Star @ Jul 12 2004, 06:58 PM)

But, ironically, I think the most confident people usually dont do as well as others... Maybe its something to do woth adrenaline??

I think you right you need some adrenalin to give a good performance so some nerves are a good thing. Too little adrenalin is not good for a performance whereas too much can be a disaster. How do you get the balance right . I agree with Subatomic_star that being well prepared helps.

omg, that post really scared me....

i have to take grade 5 exam as a first exam next year and thats really scaring me "

im going to fail! :cry:

QUOTE (Lucia @ Jul 13 2004, 10:55 PM)

QUOTE (Subatomic_Star @ Jul 12 2004, 06:58 PM) But, ironically, I think the most confident people usually dont do as well as others... Maybe its something to do woth adrenaline??  :) I think you right you need some adrenalin to give a good performance so some nerves are a good thing. Too little adrenalin is not good for a performance whereas too much can be a disaster. How do you get the balance right . I agree with Subatomic_star that being well prepared helps.

well unfortunately i can't control the exact amount of adrenaline i have so i'll jst stick to crossing my fingers on the day!

So we have to be able to play all the scales 3 octaves, hands separately, AND with both hands an octave apart?

Do we have to be able to play them backwards, too?

"A, F, D flat" -- does this mean, "A flat, F flat, and D flat," or only D is flat?

Somebody please answer... I seriously have no idea... I've never taken an ABRSM exam before and I know nobody else who has...

And I can't seem to find the syllabus...

A, F, Dflat..... exactly what it says... not A flat F flat.

You have to go up and back down again (don't repeat the keynote at the top just turn right round)
Same with arpeggios.
If you get the scale book for the grade you will see it clearly there.

QUOTE (missfabflute @ Jul 14 2004, 08:30 AM)

omg, that post really scared me.... i have to take grade 5 exam as a first exam next year and thats really scaring me " im going to fail! :cry:

that's ok, we can fail together!

thanks sbhoa.

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I've been practicing Colors of the Wind for 2 months. I can play it fine when I'm alone, but when my parents are around, I hesitate at some parts, and when we have visitors, I just freeze at other parts, and forget what comes next. Then when I'm alone I can play the whole thing fine again, either with or without music.

I notice that my rate of messing up is directly (or perhaps exponentially) proportional to how nervous I feel. That's not good, because I hate playing in front of others; I get distracted by their very presence--I wonder about what they are hearing and what they are thinking. I just can't stop thinking about them.

I don't think I have ever played a piece perfectly during a recital. I'm trying to get over this by distracting myself on purpose while I am playing alone (like looking at other things, thinking about school instead of the notes, etc), but I don't know how well this will work. I have also tried to block out the audience, but that only makes me even more susceptible to being distracted by them, if my focus wavers.

Has anyone else had to overcome performance anxiety? er, stage fright?

If you want to know whether to composing a melody for an instrument or voice. May advice is to see if the instruments you are given to choose from, are in your knowledge ( you play them) then write it for that instrument. Then you know what to compose : i.e. which notes are in its range what clef its in etc.
If not write it for a voice!
Dizzy

If you're doing grade 5, and worried about your aural, I suggest you buy Aural Training in Practice Book II and the CD, it'll help you soooo much, its got me through grades 1-3, and hopefully it'll get me through grade 5 viola!

Hi I am currently self learning Piano Gd 5 ...
exams round the corner.

I have some queries on the aural C1 portion.
Understand tht when ask abt period ....
the ans shld be either baroque, classical, romnatic or 20th century.

But when ask abt style how shld I go abt answering?

does anyone know what is the meaning fr fugal, imitative & lyrical?

Pls help

Hmm, let's think... These are my half remembered ideas:

Imitative (in piano) = when one hand repeats what the other has just played

Fugal = like imitative, but the second hand comes in a 4th or 5th higher

I'm not entirely sure about "lyrical" but I use the word to describe a slow haunting melancholy sort of melody, and I've never been told off about it yet

Good luck with the exams!

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singingsiren
xx