Does anyone recall a recent discussion on this forum regarding minimum marks that are awarded for scales, in particular Grade 1? Sometime ago I attended a talk given by an examiner who said that no less than 13 marks are given for scales at Grade 1(she was referring to flute specifically). Or maybe I was dreaming! (By the way this talk was at the BFS Flute Teachers Convention Feb 2003.

I have just taken on a child who has just failed Grade 1 Clarinet. He received only 9 marks for scales.

only 9 marks?! that seems quite harsh, there's only like 3 or 4 scales at grade 1. did you get to see the childs comments?

Thanks for your reply. He is not able to tongue very well but I am not sure how well he played the scales. For the pieces he got 19, 23 and 20. To fail him was very harsh!

The marking criteria are in These Music Exams (page 36 for the scales). The lowest possible mark for scales (assuming they are attempted in some form) is 7 for all grades and all instruments, it also gives a description of the scales that would be awarded those marks.

Hope that helps.

obviously no-one but the child and the exmainer knows how the scales were played but in my opinion i do think 9 at grade 1 is really harsh but if they werent played well then i suppose the examiner had to give low marks.

but 9/21 really that seems really harsh. poor child.

but then again! if he cant tongue well, and he was asked to tongue the scales, and he made some mistaked due to nerves or whatever then maybe...

oh ill stop ranting nonsense, im saying i think its harsh!!

Perhaps he was so nervous he couldn't play them or something.

That seems so unfair! I didn't think they ever failed a Gr1! Is the child very bad? Should he not be playing clarinet at all? He failed 1 piece and barely passed the others.

I have only seen the boy once. I don't think he was ready for grade 1 but his previous teacher must have thought otherwise! Still, he is very keen and wants to do Grade 1 again. Has anyone else had a Grade 1 failure?

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I don't think he was ready for grade 1

Sounds as though you may be right! At least, that seems to be the most likely explanation.

Good for him, if he's keen to try again. At least the experience hasn't put him off the whole idea.

Maggie