Hello there,

I'm a piano teacher wanting to branch into jazz. To this end I'm following the ABRSM syllabus and will be taking my Grade 1 exam on 2 March.

I'd really appreciate some advice in choosing a balanced programme from anyone out there who is familiar with the pieces available for Grade 1 jazz piano.

So, for the List C piece I've chosen He is slowly melting (because I really love this piece). But for List A I can't decide between Slinky thing and Prove you groove. Similarly for the List b pieces I can't choose between Jean Pierre and Is you is, or is you ain't my baby.

Do I need to have a balance between straight/swung pieces, or slow/bright pieces - and will a failure to provide a balanced programme affect the overall mark?

Many thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

Karen

For the Grade exams, whether classical or jazz, each piece is marked on its own merits, so you don't need to think about the programming. I chose 'He is Sadly Melting' from List C when I did it too - it's a lovely piece!

Good luck with your exam !

[But for List A I can't decide between Slinky thing and Prove you groove. [/quote]

Definitely Slinky Thing every time - for me anyway!

I did start off doing Prove Your Groove, but found it too difficult, so I did Bedford Square Blues instead.

From List B, I chose Jean Pierre, which is a good piece IMO.

I agree with Jo in regards to He Is Sadly Melting... I heard someone perform that piece at a local festival last week and it is a lovely piece. But I did Blue Autumn, which again, is a good piece to do.

Car Expert

Just had a play through - I'm no pianist let alone JAZZ pianist - but "He Is Sadly Melting" is lovely and a great jump off point for a nice improv; what a lovely little piece! Some of the others, I don't know if it's my playing (entirely possible) but I didn't like many of the arrangements, I did quite like Inchworm (though I find getting my brain into Jazz Waltz mode is always tricky) and I like "Oh Lord, don't let them drop that atomic bomb on me"! which probably says something disturbing about my brain.

The pieces are marked individually as in classical exams, BUT personally I think if you CAN give a balanced programme then it won't do you any harm/will come across well. A case of you won't get marked down for a programme of all laid back pieces, but if you come in and play 3 different pieces all equally when the examiner will sit up and take notice, which can only be a good thing

"Melting" is a lovely piece...

Thanks for all the feedback.

I managed to hear the Grade 1 Jazz CD at the weekend - terrifyingly complex improvisations. It struck me that there was a huge gap between the improv they say is required at Grade 1 and the improv they demonstrate on the CD. Am I alone in thinking they could have had two examples - one at Grade 1 standard and one at professional jazz musician standard for us to aim for when we're more advanced?

Anyway, listening to the recordings helped me narrow down my choices to Prove you / Is you is / Melting.

It may sound daft but I find it really hard to play the others slowly enough, and the speed keeps creeping up.

Off for some last minute practice, and then the big day tomorrow. I'll post again when the result is in.

Cheers,

Karen

Very best of luck in your exam Mrs KW Do let us know how it goes. Fingers crossed for you.