Forums > Pass Requirements

BerkshireMum

Sep 10 2007, 01:06 PM

QUOTE(andante_in_c @ Sep 10 2007, 01:38 PM)

This is an interesting thread.

Let me tell you about my Grade 7 piano, which in retrospect, I took a term earlier than I should have done.

I got 106 marks, which were made up as follows: 18, 20 and 21 for the pieces, 13 for the scales, 17 for the sight reading and 17 for the aural.

If I'd taken the exam the following term I would have undoubtably scored higher on the pieces. I knew the scales well, but nerves and shaking hands meant all my staccato scales went to pieces. Another term's practice might have made a bit of difference, but not much. I would have been unlikely to improve the sight reading and aural marks (unless I spotted the dominant 7th that time!).

If I had failed in July (because i had failed one of the pieces), I would have resat the exam in the autumn. I considered doing so in any case, but was talked out of it by my piano teacher.

And, if I had passed with a better mark in the autumn (my previous two piano exams having been merits), I might not be in the position of doubting my abilities so much now.

Alternatively, having failed, I might just have given up. Who knows?

I do hope you wouldn't have given up just because nerves on the day caused you to fail one piece.

Don't doubt your abilities - your teacher wouldn't have entered you for the exam if s/he hadn't felt you were ready. Take every opportunity to play before an audience - friends, family, pupil concert, church function - so that you get used to overcoming that nervous feeling. There are other threads about exam nerves, but you can overcome them in time; it's just a question of getting inured to having an audience.

All the very best with your playing this term. Remember, being able to do something starts with believing that you can do it; never talk yourself down!

andante_in_c

Sep 10 2007, 04:31 PM

QUOTE(BerkshireMum @ Sep 10 2007, 02:06 PM)

I do hope you wouldn't have given up just because nerves on the day caused you to fail one piece.

Don't doubt your abilities - your teacher wouldn't have entered you for the exam if s/he hadn't felt you were ready. Take every opportunity to play before an audience - friends, family, pupil concert, church function - so that you get used to overcoming that nervous feeling. There are other threads about exam nerves, but you can overcome them in time; it's just a question of getting inured to having an audience.

All the very best with your playing this term. Remember, being able to do something starts with believing that you can do it; never talk yourself down!

Ah, but it wasn't nerves that caused me to fail the piece, not really, it was being under-prepared. I have done all the things you suggest: my teacher has regular adult play-throughs that I participate in, I have played piano at Forums Adult Learner concerts, I have played accompaniments for my early grade pupils in exams.

And, although not directly relevant, I have sung solo in public several times since that exam, which has brought a whole new dimension to the performing thing.

It's not performance nerves I suffer from as such. It's having my confidence in my judgement of my own and others' abilities being rocked.

barry-clari

Sep 10 2007, 04:47 PM

Yes, this has been an interesting thread.

Do I think you should pass all three pieces in order to pass a grade? I'd say no - there's a post somewhere above that says it'd be too harsh (or words to that effect) to stipulate that all pieces must be passed to achieve the grade - and I'd tend to agree. It doesn't take into effect something like nerves really kicking in etc, and these are, after all, non-professional qualifications.

Thinking of the AB syllabus, I think there are some aspects that could do with looking at (scale requirements being fairly high up there), but the actual mark scheme, and the pass mark etc., I think is fine just how it is.