Hii,
I have been teaching myself piano on a keyboard for ageeess!
But finally after begging for ages I finally have my own proper piano.
I have played violin for nine years and flute for five and took grade five theory a couple of years ago so I'm not at all new to music.
I have had the grade two syllabus for a while now and intend to take it in november to see how I'm doing.
Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to get a good technique ettc?
Any general tips on playing piano or has anyone taken/is taking gr2 anytime soon?
Thank yoou
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I think its important to listen to recordings, but not to try and imitate them. It's helpful to look through the music while you're also listening. When you think about it, what would music students have given, up to and during the nineteenth century, to have the technology available that we all take for granted.

Try to make sure that you are sitting in a correct positon and that you are the right height and distance from the piano.
You should try to see that you have a good hand position and that you use good, consitant fingering.

I will be taking grade 2 in november slot. I have learnt the pieces: Allegro, Balletto, Bourree, Der Kuckuck und die Nachtigall, The Bee, Close to Danger and Garage Sale. I am also learning grade 3 pieces but as my teacher believes that one should enter an exam ideally only if you are ready to get a distinction I have to wait til september to see if she thinks I would get that for grade 3 in november, if she is confident then she will enter me for grade 3 (I know all my scales up to grade 4).
Although my teacher doesn't particularly 'like' the recordings I have bought them and I find it useful to listen to them, but like someone rightly said :'Don't try and imitate them too much', they are played by very experienced pianists giving them their personal touch/interpretation, and even if you are at distinction level for grade 2 you will probably not play them exactly like them (also because of the personal factor).
I also found useful the teaching notes booklet which I bought a couple of months ago. Another very useful publication is 'These music exams' which is free from ABRSM.
I'd be happy to keep in touch with you to exchange tales of success and hardship and also tips on fingering etc
Have you taken exams in violin or other instruments in the past? that will help a lot of course.

Hello, Thank you for all your comments!
I have learn Balletto, The Bee and Garage Sale as I think I will probably do those in my exam, though I might have a go at some of the others.
I'm going to buy the CD as well, as I did that with my violin pieces and it improved them a lot as I could have the music in front of me and be able to hear it as well.
"I'd be happy to keep in touch with you to exchange tales of success and hardship and also tips on fingering etc " I would love to do that, I like to have a good moan with someone in the same position.
What I am finding particularily difficult is the fingering on the major/minor scales. I can do the chromatics and appegios fine. But trying to follow the fingering in the book for the other scales in a nightmare! I know what should be in the scales and they are not particularily hard, its just getting that fingering right!
I have taken gr1 2 3 4 in violin and in october i am taking gr7 (out of the normal times on a special visit thing!) and I have taken gr2 3 4 on flute. So i'm not a newbie to exams thankfully!
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This is my strong point (scales) so I 'might' be able to help you with that, in fact I hardly look at the book for the fingering anymore when I learn new ones, it just comes natural to me, I just look at the book to double check I got it right!
you are taking grade 7 on violin soon, that's great! and doing so well in flute as well!
Let me know if and how I can help with the scales problem.

Well I know all the scales like what should be in them, its just getting the fingering as it is in the book. I can do them okay if i just make the fingering up but i was told you get marked down if you don't do the fingering in the book. I get really frustrated with it, if i do them at a ridiculously slow speed i can do the fingering in the book but when i try and quicken them up it all goes to pot Do you think its best to learn each hand first get that right and quite quick and then try and put them together?
I tried the bourree yesterday as well and am thinking of doing that
Do you know which pieces you might be doing?
Im glad my violin exam will be at least a month before this one though so that its not a pressurized.
Do you play any other instruments?

I don't think I've ever seen that you'd get marked down for using the wrong fingering, however, in general you'll find that alternative fingering will slow you down later. I have a pupil who has a tendency to invent fingering as she goes along, and while she got away with it for a long time, she's heading for grade 6 now, and starting to realise why I've been moaning at her all this time! She knows all the notes, but she can't get the speed up. So it's probably worth your while to persevere with the marked fingering.

And yes, definitely learn them seperately until you know what you're doing. Because the patterns are mirror images of each other, you can end up turning in the wrong place if you're not certain of each hand first.

Thanks! I am going to really really try with this fingering even though it is sending me potty. I really doubt I will ever get up to grade six though!
Im going to perserve with one hand at a time for the moment.
Thanks for the advice
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It's truly worth it.
Apart from anything else, we sometimes forget the practical value of scales. You'll find as you progress that apparently complicated runs are often just quick versions of scales you already know!

I think Alder has given you some good advice there, like mentioned you won't get marked down for different fingering but in the long run the fingering advised in the book will help you when speed is required and at higher grades, so yes, go back a step and learn each hand separately slowly slowly at first with the fingering in book. Be patient, you have another 4 months to do it!
I have not decided 'in stone' which pieces to do for my exam, if I go for grade 2 I think I might do: Allegro, Der Kuckuck und die Nachtingall and Close to Danger.
If I go for grade 3 I'll do Allegretto (seems like I go for the happy pieces as you may already know allegro in italian means happy), Die Wandhur and the Ice Cream Van.
I also play the violin, I started that this january gone, have done my grade one end of June and aiming for grade 3 next March I think I am loving every minute of it though.
This week I had a very hard week at work, long 13 hours shifts, 3 in a row finishing late because we were too busy so have not had time but to crash on bed once I was home! Today I practiced after a 3 day gap and I could really tell the different, I was in my opinion a little 'rusty' already! (or maybe was just having a bad day?).

Heheee
I ordered the CD today as I think some of the pieces should be faster than I expected and its nice to see someone elses approach to things.
I sat at the piano today and just did G major scale for like two hours! Haa, i am getting better now can do it with the proper fingering at a moderate speed, but its still frustrating! I followed Alders advice as well
Four months seems ages away
The violin is awesome Ive been playing nearly nine years and really do love it. I started really young so didn't get very far =P It's difficult but rewarding.
Oooooff, I'm on summer holidays so not really doing much at the moment! Im redecorating my room so im giong through the process of throwing everything away etc. I have too much stuff!!
I always feel bad after not practising. Though sometimes I think its nice to have a break and play something old or something new!
I bet you were just having a bad day! Hehee.
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You don't have to use the 'conventional' fingering but you should use a consistant fingering that allows you to play with and even tone, good legato and steady speed. You need to use the same fingering every time you play them.

And yes, it is a really good idea to learn hands separately then put them together.

Thanks for the advice !
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Do you know anyone who could take a look at you scale fingering and comment on whether it looks ok or give suggestions as to why what you are doing may not be a practical solution?

Yes I know lots of pianists and I have a very talented friend who has also been giving me advice.
I have been perserving with the suggested fingering and i am getting there with it, if slowly!
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