Hi!
Haha, for charity I am doing a university grade 1 challenge type thing next term (I think) ! I have a few questions:
1. Where can I get the latest piano grade 1 book and what year will it be? (I know there are new woodwind syllabi but not sure whether this is the case for piano)
2. Which pieces can you recommend?
3. What are they really looking for at grade 1?
4. Any tips?

I will have a friend teaching me piano, I do know the basics - I had 3 years of keyboard lessons, about a month of piano lessons and can read the bass clef.

Thankyou

LCM have the whole exam in one book - scales, the study alternative to scales, the pieces, notes on the pieces, viva voce, aural, sightreading, - it's the LCM Grade One Piano Handbook

You can then use it to arrange a piece for G2 Composition

I think I have to do it with the AB.

Not sure when I'm doing it because the closing date for Easter exams is really soon. So, I've emailed the person in charge

2007-2008 book, is that ok for all 3 sessions?

the 2007-2008 book can be used for the A,B, and C periods of 2008, and the A period only of 2009.

Good luck!
Jacob.

Yes, and (though you won't need it !! ok for March 09 too. (sorry - just noticed Jacob already told you that).

Mini Rag is nice as Noodle mentioned. Cuckoo Clock is good too. And the Mozart piece from list A.

Closing date for spring term is Jan 11th (postal) and Jan 18th (online).

Good luck ! : )

Best of luck, Nicki!

I know! I looked up the dates this morning was shocked that they were so soon! I've emailed the person in charge about which session, also I have no idea where the nearest exam centre to Durham is.

I'm just about to order the book

The Mozart is nice on list A, and I really loved the Andante from list B - there was so much room for expression!

I played the Old Cuckoo Clock from list C, purely because it's fun

I got the book today!

The Andante from list B (composer begins with E?) is so lush! I can't play very well (not sure how much expression I'll be able to put in )

The Industrious Student is AWFUL!

I didn't realise until a minute ago that I hadn't looked at the first 2 A pieces.

I am so bad at piano playing haha...

What you need is a couple of lessons form a really good teacher, works wonders.

Good luck Nicki

A friend of mine is going to give me some pointers...

Update!!

I've been bashing through the book for a few days now, and I've now decided what I am going to concentrate on.

List A: A:1 - Sarabanda: Out of the 3 A pieces this is the one I like most, apart from being unsure on how to trill. I liked the Mozart, but it didn't grip me that much, and hopefully I could play the Corelli better. The Hassler just confused me.

List B: B:3 - Banges Herzelein: When I first played this I thought "I'm definitely not picking that" but then decided that the second half was really pretty and in fact I really liked it. It conveys such emotion to me, in the second harp, there seems to be a feeling of hope which then gets dashed by the end. I did really like the Andante also, but I really love the Banges at the moment

List C: Mini Rag - hopefully! I like this one the best. Not sure I'll be able to play it at the c. 144 it says as 'suitable' at the bottom. The Old Cuckoo Clock, I knew that I'd get lost with the quavers in the right hand, I'd end up miscounting or something. Moebius was a bit wishy washy for me..

Better do some proper practice soon, including scales! Luckily I have the scale book and sight reading book from when my brother did grade 1.

Very best of luck Nicki and good for you to go for it.

Is Herbie Funky still on the C list, I love that!!!!



Ambs
xxx

Thanks Ambs! Unfortunately, it's not in my book!

My term ends on March 14th I think, and I emailed the person in charge and he says there is going to be a special visit at the end of term. (I presume they mean this term and not next). Argh!

If it is a special visit...then how do we enter!?

Whoever is organising the special visit will enter you - make sure that they have! Good luck, Nicki.

For the record, Herbie Funkie was set for grade 2 in 2003 -4. I liked it too!

Nicki that sounds like a good set - your Mini Rag will be a nice contrast to the others. Hope it goes well !

That's if I can play the Mini Rag.

Just spent 10 minutes trying to do LH C major broken chordy thing.

Well done nicki!! Are you looking for sponsors? Send me details via PM if you are. I would like to sponsor you. Which charity are you doing it for?

Good luck

Try it as block chords up and down first. It can help to get used to the hand shapes.

It took my son ages to play the Mini Rag - he just didn't get it - then suddenly it clicked and it ended up as his best piece. He loves it, and plays it all the time, even though he's started on his Grade 2 pieces now. He did the Corelli, which he also liked, and the horrendous Industrious Student, which he didn't!

Good luck with your pieces, I'm sure the Mini Rag will click soon. (Having said that, I can't play it!)

Mini Rag is really fun to play. When I teach it we use drinks to represent the different rhythms In the first half the left hand is "fruit juice", while the right hand is "coff-ee, co-la, fruit juice". Where the rhythm changes in the second half you say "coffee and cola and choc-lat." Bars 12 and 16 are "tea pot." Doing it this way keeps you from speeding up in the second half.

I did my first piano practice at uni today and it went really well. I think it is clicking. It doesn't help, as seeing things from post grade 8 eyes, I'm thinking "if this was on the flute it would be really easy".

How am I supposed to do the trills in the Corelli?


Hehe, I like that Thanks!

You could of course change the names of the drinks ..... "red wine .... whi-sky, so-da, red wine ..... whisky and soda and brandy .... dead drunk" or whatever you fancy

In the Corelli the trill patterns are indicated above the notes, but if you send me a pm with your email address on it I'll send you an MP3 file to listen to.

Well - Good luck, and I hope it is for a worthy cause.

With Grade 8 flute behind you, and earlier keyboard experience you have a massive head start, and I expect you'll be playing at a good standard by the time of the exam. You've certainly got more chance than this grade 8+ pianist would have of getting to grade 1 on the flute

Thanks! I don't really get the indications bit...so an mp3 would be great, I'll PM you.


Thankyou I'll update when I can on the causes.

Ahh, you never know, I bet you could be great on the flute!

I'm sure you will be great Nicki.

Don't forget to practise your sight reading too...