Well, I gave up recorder lessons for oboe about 4 years ago now, when I was 9 but I've carried on playing. I reckon I'm at least Grade 3 standard on Treble and Descant but I don't know.

I only have a prep test or grade 1 descant recorder or something, and I'd like to carry through the recorder, so I thought it might be a fun idea to teach myself and do a Grade exam. I don't know how good I am though, and have never done anything like this before. So:

1. Is it a good idea?
2. How do I set about doing it?
3. How do I find out which Grade I should take?
4. Do I do descant or treble grades?
5. General Advice?

Pianoboe xxx

There are lots of more experienced players, but just sticking my oar in a bit: treble is "the" recorder in terms of repertoire etc at the higher levels, so if you're picking one or the other to concentrate on, that seems the obvious most useful one... I think...

Okay, so I should do treble...and supposedly you can also play one of your pieces on the descant I think...not sure though.

Only at G6 and above. Basically, at G1-5, you do all descant OR all treble. At G6 and above, you are examined in recorders. For G6 and up, if you're only playing one instrument, then it has to be treble; but one piece can be on another size of recorder, as specified in the lists.
(For TG exams it's slightly different, in that the scales/studies can be on either instrument, although I think there are 'conditions' depending on what you play your pieces on, e.g. you can do all your pieces on the descant, your sightreading can be descant, but then the technical work has to be done on treble - you can't do all descant [but, I think like AB you can do all treble])

If you want to be a 'proper recorderist', then it's usually considred that you should play both F and C instruments. The treble is where you will find most repertoire, though, so if you are only going to play one for now, I'd recommend treble.
A tenor plays exactly the same as a descant (the descant is an octave higher, but its music is written down one octave) so that's an easy way to expand your recorder playing later on

I'm only a parent so these comments are based on our experiences only.

If you're teaching yourself it might be better to go for Grade 3 or 4, Grade 5 definately needs more advanced techniques. you may well be able to teach yourself, trill and alternative fingerings, but Grade 5 has been a bit of a struggle for us. The girls teacher is not a Recorder specialist and she has realised how difficult it is at this level.

Slight correction Maizie: both C and F instruments have to be used for TG 6-8. There is no treble only option as in AB. My Grade 6 who took her exam last week said she kept having to tell the examiner which recorder she was supposed to be using. he kept thumbing through the syllabus trying to find out what he was meant to be asking her.

Thanks that's great advice. (everyone)

Having a look at the lists though the G5 pieces look like they would be a nice challenge, 4 would be comfortable and 3 would be sight reading standard...the question is whether I want a challenge or a relaxed experience.

Do I need a wooden recorder or a high quality one...I only have plastic ones?!

Thanks andante, I get confused. The other thing with TG is that you can do 'mixed' instruments from G1 upwards, you don't have to wait until G6 like with AB (again, I think...)

Pianoboe, plastic instruments will be fine - there are people here who've done G8 on their trusty-old-Aulos or similar

The only thing I'd add to everyone elses excellent advice is to look at the scale requirements. You could then use these to decide whether to take 4 or 5 for instance. Depends how easy you find them to learn, or how much time and inclination you have for them.

Don't forget that the new AB syllabus comes out in a few weeks, don't go buying lots of stuff just yet, it would be unlucky to find that the pieces you've chosen are the ones which have been discontinued.

I went straight in at grade 8 so there's no reason at all why you shouldn't go in at 4 or 5 if you know your stuff. At that level, plastic recorders will be fine.

Liz

It's something I've thought about for a while, doing some recorder exams... And I have to say, the scale list would be the 'decider' as to which grade I did!

All my recorders, apart from my bass are plastic... I'd love wooden though... I know a very nice lady who could help!

Thanks guys!

I proposed the idea to my parents and they seem to think it's a good idea...which helps. I'll wait till the new syllabus comes out and then look at the stuff and go for it...hopefully!

Is there anyone else who's actually tried?

Decent plastic ones are, I am told, better than the cheaper wooden ones.


Me too - I did grade 1 treble for the G1 challenge a while back. Scales were by far my worst section, and the main reason I haven't done any exams since!

ooh, thats good then...I think my plastic ones are reasonable quality!