Hi all!

Anyone have recent experience with a Gr1 exam (in cello or other stings)? I am planning to do the exam in April of 2008, but am eagerly wondering what to expect of the next few months in terms of how preparing for this exam will impact my lessons as well as practice time.


(I have recently started learning cello at the age of 37. I have absolutely no music background except for a lifelong love of all types of music. I asked my teacher if she thought I could do the Prep Test or the Performance Assessment in April. She suggested I consider the Gr1 exam instead.)

I'm very excited about learning cello and also very excited to move toward a very tangible goal. Anyhow, I am eager to hear about other adult learners' experiences with exams, especiallly their first ever.
Looking forward to your replies.

celloseoul

Well done for taking up the cello as an adult ... and welcome to the world of strings!

I took up the violin at the age of 38 and I'm doing Grade 3 next March... and I love it.

I didn't do Grade 1 but went straight to Grade 2 but I LOVED my exam. I was thoroughly prepared, had a friendly examiner and a great accompanist and, miracle of all miracles, didn't feel nervous

I had taken exams when I was younger but tended to ruin them with nerves so I was delighted to go back after 20 years and enjoy my exam.

Wishing you lots of luck and enjoyment with your new enterprise - come and join the Viva Strings forum too and let us know how you get on....

Lottie,
Thanks so much for those encouraging words and for sharing your story. I also hope that the exam will be very positive. May I ask, how many months did it take you to prepare for your Gr 2 violin exam?
Thanks again!

I started playing in September and took Grade 2 the following June (this year). But I was a diploma level clarinettist 20 years ago so reading music/sightreading is not a problem for me.

I still get very frustrated with violin 'technique' because it's quite difficult to get all my fingers and bow in the right place all the time... if I think about my fingers my bow slides etc. My fingers are quite short too so it's hard work to stretch all the time. BUT I'm having great fun learning a whole new repertoire and a lovely new instrument! I just can't get enough of violins

In my exam I apologised for being two feet taller than most of his Grade 2 candidates but he laughed and said it was becoming quite a 'fad' for adults to take up musical instruments (the word 'fad' I thought was a little patronising because for me it's a 'passion'!). He marked me very hard but I think that was because he realised I knew a lot more than Grade 2; my bow shook a little and he wrote about that.. but on the whole it was okay and I did get a distinction.