Hi,


Generally how long should it take someone of grade 1 standard, like myself, to reach grade 2? I know everyone works at at a different pace, but how big is the transition from grade 1 to 2, what sort of things do you need to know (scales ect.)?

Cheers,

Lisa

the scales are:
1 octave : C major, F major, A major, G major, D major, D minor, G minor, A minor
2 octaves : G major, A major, Bb major
(and the arpeggios)

It depends on so much... how much you practice, how old you are etc... My daughter is just 8. She did her grade 1 violin in June last year and we have just got her grade 2 music. She'll probably do the exam this summer. She had to do loads of bowing work... her teacher tells me the bowing has to be better for Gr 2 but no new hand positions or anything!!!

My daughter who is going for a full set of Orchestral Instuments, that's what it feels like anyway, started Violin in March last year. She found playing the pieces for Grade 1 so easy but her tone was awful. Her teacher is a Suzuki specialist and made her learn using a combination of Suzuki and written music. It really helped her improve her tone. She took Grade 1 in December and the plan is to do Grade 2 in Spring.

It depends then on the method you learn by, if you are having solo/group lessons, your ability to read music already to a higher standard than the grade you're working on, age and time you've got to practise. Practise is important but it's something my girl doesn't get much time to do on Violin.

My son (age 7) did grade1 in June and has just been entered for grade 2 this term. I think the main difference is getting used to playing in a wider range of keys and cope with more accidentals and the fact that your left hand has to move around a bit more as a result and still stay in tune. At grade 1 you can pretty much get away with one position for each finger (two positions for the 2nd finger). At grade 2 although there is no shifting as such you need to play pretty much all of the notes in 1st position. They perhaps expect better bow technique and tone as well I wouldn't know.

I think for young children 2 terms is not uncommon, 1 year probably average and a bit longer if no practise is being done. If you're older and read music already then it would be quicker.

I agree, some of the new pieces my teacher has given me use far more sharps in the key signature and accidentals. If that is the only really difference between that grades then I guess, with practise, it shouldn't take me too long to reach grade 2.

Thanks everyone!

Lisa