Just curious as there has been lots of interest on here. I really want to do them sometime but also have so many things that I want to do.

Need to prioritise.....


jazz sax exams?
performance diploma?
teaching dipoma?
jazz flute?

hillyb

I'm umming and arrrrhhing between doing a grade in jazz flute or jazz clarinet. I like both, but can't do both at the same time, as I have other things I'd like to do too.

Perhaps a jazz flute exam would be a refreshing change whilst preparing for your diploma?

Joy

i've read a lot about the new syllabus and such...but not really looked into what you really have to do for them...I'd be quite interested though, sounds like a huge chllenge, but a lot of fun to learn, and something different!!

athough it sounds oober hard!

xoxox

Well I got the book and the information pack...

I tried a few out and even chose which pieces to do .. and I'm fluent in chords, which I imagine would make improvising a lot easier... but, to be honest, I really don't like Jazz music.

So while it remains a possibility as a learning experience it's looking unlikely at the moment.

Hi Joy,

you may be right. The thing is I might keep doing 'refreshing things' rather than a dipl!!

hillyb

I need to get my backside in gear, but definitely hoping to take a jazz flute exam at some point.

Hi Sarah,

nice to see you back. Glad you're interested in doing a jazz exam sometime....me too. I think they look great.

hillyb

hi hillyb!

thanks

yes, they do look good - it's just a acse of working out which centres near me will offer them and how I'm going to get there! I guess one of the advantages of the jazz exams is that I can use the cd for accompaniment if I need to

nice to see you back Sarah been wondering whre you were. Hope all's well with you!

Anyone going to enter this time round, then?

Thinking about it but depends if we can get an assessment of madam's playing!

Well we've thought about it and we are going to wait until the summer, it's just too soon this session.

Just thinking about reviving this thread....anyone doing a jazz flute grade this time? In the summer? Think I will attempt one in the summer - not sure which grade yet.

hilly

Hopefully in the summer, as long as one of the reasonable local centres offers them... I need to check it out.

My daughter is looking at Summer too, it was just too much for this time, hopefully Grade 3.

I've heard they only go to grade 5 standard, which is a shame. Is the level alot higher for gr5 in these jazz exams?

They still sound interesting though.

Trinity do them up to Grade 8, we are going to try the AB ones though.

Yes it could be a bit much all at once.

I plan to do all 5 grades just because I enjoy the music and hopefully the feedback I get will give me confidence as I go up the grades... here's hopin'


G5 jazz is supposed to be approx. equivalent to G5 classical, they test different aspects though so grade 5 classical doesn't necessarily mean someone will be G5 jazz or vice versa.

we've talked about it some more and dsecided more or less to go for Grade 3 in the summer, she's at least getting some help now. We feel that giving it a go is really the only way we'll find out what level she is. The worst that can happen is a fail but we're not expecting that.

True.

I plan to do an exam in the summer, provided I can find out a nearby centre that takes jazz exams anyway (ours usually does later weeks in the session so I don't know if I'd get in there as a jazz candidate...) - it will be interesting to see how I get on.

Which grade are you going for Sarah? I'm not expecting a problem with centres in our area, I just need to remember to enter her

I'm going to try grade 1 - I can play pieces in all 3 of the grade books I have, but I plan to do them all anyway because they look fun

It's a second option for moving on from Grade 5 Flute, if theory gets side tracked , if that weren't the case I'm sure she would have done Grade 1, cost is a factor also. We tend to be paying out for exams too much

*nods*

I've only ever done one flute exam in my life despite having played it for 15 years (!) - so I guess I'm due some spending on exams that I want to do and think will be fun *grin*

It's not 2 years since she took her first exam....I won't tell you how many she's done! Only going for 3 this time

I did my A Level recital on the flute too, so I guess that counts as an exam, but despite it being my main instrument I have hardly any exam experience on it.

People's circumstances are different as are their personalities. My girls both danced from being tiny including comps and festivals and they bring experience of being on stage doing solos and individual exams as well as groups with them to their music. To my daughter (12 today) it's not a big deal to work towards music exams and face an examiner, after 7 dance solos and 8 duets, another child would find it difficult. I don't think either is easier or harder it's very different but relies on some basic skills. I think it's worse for adults anyway.

When you're ready to take an exam I'm sure you will do well, just believe in yourself!

Are there CDs with these jazz flute exam pieces on?
Just curious.

There is now a sampler CD of jazz pieces, also each exam book comes with a CD that has a performance track & a music-minus-one accompaniment track for each piece, and some aural tests etc.

Do these exams include improvisation?
Just interested to know as I am hopeless at the whole composing thing.

Yes, they include improv.