I have a friend with an 18 year old daughter, who needed some advice: I told her what I thought after being told the below, but she wants a second opinion, and I intend to show her this thread in about a week - I haven't posted in the parents thread, because I want to be sure that everyone on the forum reads this

Her daughter is about to start her second year of A-levels, and is planning 1 oboe exam, 2 flute exams and 3 piano exams to all take place by next june, alone with 3 subjects worth of a-levels, and a grade 6 theory. All the exams are grade 5+, and the second flute exam will be grade 8.

I think the daughter is overdoing this, and I've suggested to my friend that she lays down the law, but she's averse to coming down too hard on her daughter for trying too hard, but one might suspect that she'll fail trying to do all that at once.

What do the rest of you think? (N.B. Please mention whether you're a student or a teacher in your answer, it'll help my friend get some perspective and hopefully some of both groups will agree with me)

I'm a student also in second year of A-levels, and I must say I'm finding it difficult enough without the extra stress. I got most of my ABRSM exams delibterately out of the way before Year 12, and am thankful for it.

I took Grade 8 piano in the first term of A-levels, when no modules were taking place, and I think that this is the best time to do exams when you are in the sixth form. I came out with 132, yet my teacher had predicted me 140+! (I was still overjoyed though!) It is far too much work to try and sit practical exams in the spring or summer term... A-levels ARE difficult, and this girl needs to decide whether she wants her grades to suffer. She can always take music exams quite easily after she leaves school, whereas it's very difficult to take your A-levels again.

I have always believed it's too much work trying to do multiple grades on multiple instruments in the same term. No offence to her, but who is she trying to impress? She already sounds like a really really good player; if she bungs down all that she plays in her personal statement, the universities will pick up on it anyway and realise this. Besides, the results won't have come out before the UCAS forms go off... even if you've said you plan to take Grade Umpteen, it doesn't mean you actually have to DO it! I've said in my statement that I plan to take Grade 8 viola... I actually have no intention of doing it until I have some free time on my hands!

Having said all this, it's her decision. Don't try to pressurise her too much, it's great that she's got this enthusiasm.

Perhaps you could suggest that she skips the middle grades and just goes for the top grades on each instrument?

All the best,
cheeble

I'm a teacher with an 18 year old daughter, and I reckon this sounds like a worrying overdose of work.

Three piano exams alone in one year must mean one each term, quite apart from the other grades. This is not something I'd be content for a student of mine to attempt even in an ordinary school year without A levels.

People vary of course with what they are able to take on - mevertheless this seems way over the top. How would it affect her plans if she failed one or more A levels I wonder?

Maggie

I agree with Maggie that this sounds all too much. I think part of the problem can be that some students see everything in terms of the more exams the better-regardless of how good the mark is. I find sometimes students also underestimate the amount of work that is needed for each grade, and left to their own devices are so fixated with moving through the grades that they don't gain a knowledge of repetoire outside the exam syllabus. This shows up far more in the higher grades-it is a real giveaway in the aural question where they have to comment on a piece, if they haven't gained enough experience of listening or playing. Also, where university or music college entry is concerned, I think these students should bear in mind that the college will be looking for a much broader range of musical experience than exam passes. Playing in orchestras, choirs, chamber music all show committment and a deeper musical knowledge-even though it doesn't in itself lead to an official piece of paper. I feel really strongly about this, having taught students who treat their own playing like an activity in a vacuum.

I'm in my last year of A-levels aswell, and I think it's too much. I thought doing grade 7 clarinet and Christmas and grade 6 piano at Easter would be too much! A-levels aren't easy, and I know I don't want to mess them up! As cheeble said, she won't have the results when she has to apply to UCAS anyway, if that's what she's worried about.
And, to put it bluntly, she'd have to give up most of her life for the next year, to be able to achieve good marks in all the exams!
But then if she's naturally clever and musical, and prepared to do it, she could try it. She can always change her mind

As a parent of a child doing A levels and a high grade instrument exam (one only!) this year and a piano student myself, I would also say far too much. In fact impossible and certainly, if I may say so, an extremely misguided and unrealiastic idea. What's the point? And who is she trying to kid?

Far better she spends the time doing adequate preparation for her A levels and gets the grades she wants in them. If the 2 flute exams are grade 7 and grade 8 (not clear from your post) , then go for the grade 7 in March or June 2005 and forget the grade 8. Better to get a distinction in grade 7 than a pass in grade 8 for the UCAS points alone to say nothing of her own personal satisfaction (Elmo, it does not matter that she will not have the results when she applies to University: the point is she will have the result before she gets her A level results so the UCAs points will kick in then, if indeed they need to, in order to help bring her UCAS points score up to the score she needs). A distinction in grade 7 gets you 60 points and a pass at grade 8 gets you only 55 points!

I agree with everyone that this is too much to take on. There is a danger that she could make herself ill with stress by taking on too much. I think it would be better to concentrate on her A levels and take just one or maybe two music exams at the most. In particular why does she need to do Grade 6 theory?
If she does take on too much she won't be able to enjoy her final year at school.

QUOTE

Perhaps you could suggest that she skips the middle grades and just goes for the top grades on each instrument

Not sure I really agree that skipping would be a good idea as she would still have to try and catch up on all the technical requirements that she will need for the highers grades.

QUOTE (Lucia @ Sep 21 2004, 11:24 AM)

Not sure I really agree that skipping would be a good idea as she would still have to try and catch up on all the technical requirements that she will need for the highers grades.

You don't have to take an exam to learn something.

I did Grade 8 Flute during my second year of A-Levels and failed - I just didn't have enough time to put into it with 2 A2 Levels and 2 AS Levels.
David

QUOTE (kenm @ Sep 21 2004, 02:12 PM)

QUOTE (Lucia @ Sep 21 2004, 11:24 AM) Not sure I really agree that skipping would be a good idea as she would still have to try and catch up on all the technical requirements that she will need for the highers grades. You don't have to take an exam to learn something.

Yes I agree with you, you don't have to take an exam to learn something, but at the same time by skipping an exam in the rush to get to a higher grade means you miss out on alot of playing. In my opinion I don't think you should go from one grade straight on to another grade,(although I know some people need to do this for college entry) I think you should spend time learning other repertoire in order to gain greater experience. After all playing an instrument isn't all about just passing exams.

Even without the A-level issue the suggestion of doing the exams so quickly seems like a waste of time. Perhaps she can be referred to the ABRSM's own advice on using exams wisely; they advise against doing them back to back and they're the ones that make lots of money if you do it!

In taking grades one after the other so quickly this girl will not be improving her playing. Taking grades in quick succession will just result in her learning three pieces for each grade that are too difficult for her in order to fool herself that she is a better standard than she actually is. One can pass grade 8 without really being of a standard to deserve it just by only ever learning three pieces of that standard. So unless she needs to fool someone else (e.g. a university admissions tutor) into thinking that she's better (in which case she should study only for the exam(s) she needs, to give the best chance of passing) she would be better doing them when she's ready and actually improving her playing at an appropriate speed. Unless, of course, she's already up to the standard to easily do the higher grade in which case she should just do that.

Perhaps what she needs is reassurance that she doesn't have to give up playing when she goes to university. There are plenty of orchestral opportunities for playing in university and the long holidays allow plenty of time to practise and meet with her existing teacher if she wants to; or it is possible to get a new teacher wherever she is at university. There's also plenty of free time when you're actually at university to practise (trust me, I've just been!).

If it's all about the UCAS points and she wants to go to a good university (to study anything but music, in which case it's clearly relevant) it's a waste of time: good universities almost never give points offers without restriction (if at all) and would not accept the UCAS points from the grade exams: they'd say AAB from three A-levels excluding general studies with at least an A in maths, or something like that...

If she is a good enough player to sit 3 piano exams in one year has anyone considered the idea of just working towards whatever the 3rd of those is?

Sorry to repeat what most people have already said but I think that she will be taking far too many exams. After all, she can still carry on playing at university. I also think that it is better to take one exam and get the best mark that you are capable of than to take several and get poor marks.
I'm in Yr 10 at school and I barely have time to do all my homework and practise my piano, viola and singing. AND the only exam I'm taking in November is Grade 5 theory.

That is certainly a heavy load, though 18 is possibly old enough that one has to make ones own mistakes- I certainly would have reacted very badly to my parents 'laying down the law' at that age. I guess it depends on how much preparation the exams entail not the actually time in the exam room- and for some people that is much more/less work than others.

Back when I was that age I did 4 A levels, 2 STEP papers and grade 8 harp within a few weeks of each other- I would probably have got more than the 118 for harp had I taken it later, but I blame that on rushing to get it done with, not because A levels took too much work, and I had time for other activities. I would advise that she works out what will be dropped if the going gets too tough, but why not start by aiming high? She can always change her mind about the exams nearer the time.

QUOTE (Rainbow @ Sep 21 2004, 05:34 PM)

I'm in Yr 10 at school and I barely have time to do all my homework and practise my piano, viola and singing.  AND the only exam I'm taking in November is Grade 5 theory.

[QUOTE]
Have to agree it's going to be hard for her - I'm also in upper secondary (yr 11) and I find it hard enough to fit in reasonable amounts of practice time and all of my coursework! I took 2 exams in July and I'm taking another one in November - I find it hard enough doing 1 instrument for two exam sessions in a row, let alone how many she must be doing! Mine are only lower grades anyway - I want to teach music though (secondary school age) so I need all the grades and good marks I can get! If she enjoys doing exam work, then maybe do a few, but if she doesn't and she doesn't need the grades then what's the point? learn a new repertoire and try to get higher marks rather than just taking billions of exams - music isn't just about how many pieces of paper you have!
I've got two friends who both play piano and are both similar grades - but one has taken her time more and learnt a lot more than the other, who has just struggled trying to learn pieces that are far too hard for her standard of playing, as she has never tried any other pieces that are at her standard, so she hasn't improved that much! Collages should accept you for how well you play - if you are a lower grade on paper, it doesn't mean that you can't play above that standard!
If this girl does decide to go for it, then GOOD LUCK!!!!! (tell us how it goes!)

thanks for everybody's comments, you obviously have not realised that 'the girl' David is wittering on about is me, but he has changed the instruments-incredibly clever of you David i must say.

yes i will probably doing 3 piano exams, but the oboe exam he said, is my sax one, which is not definite yet, and the flute exams are my clarinet but im not doing 2 only 1.

so just for everyone's knowledge, i am not trying to impress anyone, i am not trying to fool myself that im better than i am and i am not trying to kid anyone or myself

ill leave it at that now i know what everyone thinks

QUOTE

thanks for everybody's comments, you obviously have not realised that 'the girl' David is wittering on about is me, but he has changed the instruments-incredibly clever of you David i must say.

Well that's a surprise!!! Good luck Nat on whatever you decide to do!

i might carry on my rant as im very annoyed. intersting some of the replies here are saying that im stupid to go for 3 piano exams, yet my topic in viva piano was about the same thing and i was mainly told to have a try at it. David purposely(sp?)didnt say that it was me to see everyones reaction. now i know what people really think.

someone said they got their exams out of the way in year 12. anyone realise i am not good enough to have already done them thats why im doin them now.

ive really had enough now so ill stop coz its getting me very stressed. its this that gets me stressed not music exams

Yes, but it really is up to you. You are the only person who can decide whether you can cope with the workload! If you can, fine, go for it. If not, see where you can skim the fat with the extra curriculars! Good luck!

Sorry... good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I did a viola diploma in the same session as my degree finals. I failed the diploma and got a third class degree.

I don't recommend it. Why not go straight for the third piano exam?

Liz

QUOTE (DavidMusic @ Sep 17 2004, 06:34 PM)

- I haven't posted in the parents thread, because I want to be sure that everyone on the forum reads this

of course you did, that was the whole idea.

no-one really understands my situation not even David although he likes to think he does. at the end of the day its my choice and whether my plans are broadcast to the whole world or not its not going to influence what my final decisions will be.

the end

QUOTE

thanks for everybody's comments, you obviously have not realised that 'the girl' David is wittering on about is me,.

well - yes and no, I kind of put two and two together earlier today.

Nat, it is an awful lot of work, but your particular determination, dedication and enthusiasm will make a difference.

If you've really thought it through, talked to your teachers etc then the decision is yours.

Good luck and hope you're still speaking to us ........

Maggie

Im a student, just starting 2nd year of A levels

but im only doing grade 5 theory and practical for flute and piano next year...

but why are you taking 3 piano exams at once? you can do that?

Personally, A level is...okay at the moment because i dropped one subject and am doing 3 now...but its still alot of work from me from my perspective and story...

But i think that if you are motviated and very dedicated, you can do it
|I personally believe that motivation is very important!!!

good luck with all your music exams then!!!

I didn't realise that the thread was actually about Natalie, although at the outset I did think - oh, that's a bit like Natalie's situation!

Although it is a big workload, it does partly depend on how much work she has done towards the various exams already. From reading other forums, I know that she started work on the clarinet Grade 8 requirements quite a while ago - so those should be well under way and shouldn't cause undue demands as the time gets nearer. It also seems that it's her piano teacher recommending all these piano exams, rather than Natalie herself eagerly pushing to do them, which also makes a difference - the teacher presumably knows her capabilities better than we can do.

Another thing - some A levels have a significantly lighter workload than others. I can't remember which ones she's doing, but I do know that it can be quite surprising from what my own children did - my son did maths and science subjects (as well as music, of course! ) and had MUCH more free time throughout the A level course than did my daughter who studied mainly languages.

But I would say to Natalie, just do make sure, however much you love music, that this year you give your school subjects priority - they can affect the rest of your life! I have a friend with a daughter who was offered a place at Oxford needing only 2 Es at A level - so, confident of a place, she didn't do much work in her final year at school and just scraped through her A levels. Now, at the age of 26, with a Master's degree, PhD and whatnot under her belt, she is having difficulty finding a job because prospective employers are querying why her A level marks were so low!

You know Natalie, everyone does have a point, as I pointed out when you were slightly disappointed over your last clarinet result, you can't expect to do your very best when you're attention is spread over more things than I would dream of taking on in one go.

At the same time, we all know your determination, and how you want to progress quickly to give yourself the best chance of taking your music as far as possible.

If you feel you can do all the exams, then its worth going for it, as long as except that you are going to have to prioritise very carefully. What A-Levels are you actually doing this year? And how well do you want to do in them? Will you be happy to except a more average mark in all your exams overall?

And dare I suggest, that the reason this particular thread has stressed you out, is because you do actually know how tough its going to be, you understand what the implications are, but you are trying to bury them.

I won't say that I do understand, but I can certainly empathise with you to some extent, we all want to do as much as possible, and you could do with out us stirring up your (existing?) doubts even more.

At least here you've got an honest thread of what people think, and remember, while many people think you may be taking on a bit too much, when you go ahead with it anyway, we'll all suport you, and give you all the encouragement you'll need!

Well, I very nearly suggested that this person talks to Natalie! Fortunately I said the same here that I did in the identical viva piano thread since the questions in the post are now answered, i.e. she does need it for university; and she's not ready to do it already. Then she should do the highest grades and miss out the ones inbetween to lighten the workload just to convince the admissions tutor that she is good enough, and then do the backwards work to catch up to herself. As I said (and I always say!) I still don't think that there's much to be learnt by going so quickly; but if you need to convince an admissions tutor that you are that standard do it and then you can do the work to be actually that standard later. I know in your case you're not trying to fool yourself (which is why I said or convince an admissions tutor, which is what I believe you need to do) and that you're dedicated enough to do the work afterwards to catch up if necessary. Work out what you really need and only do that, it's the best and easiest way. Not because of your A-levels: even without them it'd be a lot to do.

What do you actually need for university?

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Sep 21 2004, 07:52 PM)

thanks for everybody's comments, you obviously have not realised that 'the girl' David is wittering on about is me, but he has changed the instruments-incredibly clever of you David i must say.

Funnily enough I was thinking this might be the case this morning as I was thinking that what I wrote in the Viva Piano thread contradicted what I had said here. At the end of the day only you can decide whether you are capable of doing all these exams. However, I do think you should be careful not to get too stressed out by taking on too much. I myself have done exactly that in the past, so I am speaking from bitter experience. Obviously you are not me and you may be able to cope with stressful situations better than I can. If you do want to take all these exams my suggestion would be that you review the situation after you have taken each exam. So for example set you next goal as your grade 5 in November and then see how you feel after that about taking your grade 6 in March. By having shorter term goals you are not putting so much pressure on yourself. I suppose what I am trying to say is don't set yourself up for failure, for example if your teacher wants you to take grade 7 in July and say because of the pressure of your A levels you are unable to do that you may feel you have "failed". Of course you wouldn't have failed anything but sometimes one can see it as a personal failure if one doesn't achieve a goal one sets for themselves. Just try and take it one step at a time and focus on your next goal not two or three steps ahead, be kind to yourself.

Hi Guys,

First and foremost, I think music should always be about enjoyment and having fun. If you enjoy playing your instrument(s) then you are almost there. If you are playing an instrument just to get grades then I feel you are not being true to the instrument (and I am not aiming this at one individual.)

If you feel you will be able to cope with all these instruments and School work then good luck to you. Please remember to have some fun though!

Best of luck,
Craig

I did a piano diploma, a flute grade 8 and took 4 a-levels and 2 s-levels (I don't think these exist anymore but they were higher than a-level) in my final year at school as well as traipse round countless universities. My school tried to pressure me into dropping an a-level to ensure good grades on the others, but I resisted. I would say it is a completely personal choice - Natalie knows what she can cope with - some people thrive on pressure.

All I would say is the A-level results stay with you for the rest of your life - every time you apply for a job, they will appear, good or bad. So make sure they are good!

my Alevels are music, sociology and english

im only stressed out by this topic coz im.....no forget it, i just want certian peolpe DAVID to leave me alone. if it all goes wrong then itll be my fault and ill have to deal with it, one thing that might actually help at the moment is if im left alone to make my own decisions

The decision in the end should, and will, be yours and yours only. You have to ask yourself some important questions:

What exams do you need to take?
What exams do you want to take?
and what do you hope to achieve by preparing for and passing these exams?

Once you've sorted out the answer to those questions you will be able to make your own informed decision.

I sincerely offer you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

another thing...sorry i keep thinking of more stuff.

grade 7 is NOT definite yet, my teacher said that if grade 6 is going well then i can do it in march and give gde 7 a go in june.

the sax one might not go ahead

clarinet will be EITHER 7 or 8.

for university i need about BBC/BCC. which SHOULD be ok. i just need to get sociology up a bit. i would be happy to get just that, i will not get A's as im not bright enough but im keeping my fingers crossed that ill get the grades needed. if i do im happy.

i do understand that all this sounds too much for my final school year but as i said before, if i was good enough to have already taken them i would of

at the moment grade 5 clarinet, grade 5 theory and grade 4 piano doesnt look particularly brilliant on my ucas form does it? compared with most others applying with grade 8 this, grade 8 that.
then again maybe its just not meant to be, maybe i shouldnt even try to do music at uni. i really dont have a clue anymore.

Aww Nat, you sound so upset... I think I would follow your teacher's advice and your own instinct about the piano exams because she is probably the one who knows what you can realistically achieve- perhaps don't push too hard to reach the grade 7 if you don't think you can manage it.

I wouldn't take the sax one if I were you unless you have a burning desire to- it'll just be something else on top of all the other things you're trying to cope with.

I know you've been working on the clarinet grade 8 requirements for a while so why don't you just try that and see the piano and sax as a bonus if you manage and no great loss if you can't. There's only so much you can do and you sound so stressed already that I think you need to take the pressure off a bit.

QUOTE (cecilia @ Sep 22 2004, 04:12 PM)

There's only so much you can do and you sound so stressed already that I think you need to take the pressure off a bit.

i don't think im ever going to be unstressed, de-stressed, whatever the word is..........

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Sep 22 2004, 04:04 PM)

at the moment grade 5 clarinet, grade 5 theory and grade 4 piano doesnt look particularly brilliant on my ucas form does it? compared with most others applying with grade 8 this, grade 8 that. then again maybe its just not meant to be, maybe i shouldnt even try to do music at uni. i really dont have a clue anymore.

But as other people have said surely you won't be able to put the others on your UCAS form anyway; and you can always write in your personal statement that you're working towards the other grades: even if you won't do an exam for the next two or three years you're still technically working towards it if you're doing practice.

Don't give up on what you want to do; if music is your life and that's what you want to do then go for it. Apply to university this year and see how it goes; if you can't get a place doing music now, and you're absolutely sure that there's nothing else you'd want to do take, a year out to improve your playing and re-apply next year: universities always let people in more easily on actual results than on predicted results: if you already have the results and they're above the offer they let you in easily. Don't worry too much about what's on the rest of the form, university admissions tutors are busy people and mostly just go off A-level grades above anything else. Your AS level music grade A will help you a lot more in terms of getting in than most people's grade eights will. Which university do you want to go to?

Nat, you already know how I feel about this from off forum discussions, so I won't re-iterate. But whatever you decide, then the very best of luck and if you want to unload and moan and let off stress ramblings, you are very welcome.

I did say before though, and Cecilia had just mentioned that as well, the main thing I would say this year for you is Grade 7 or 8 clarinet and the A levels. *Everything else* and I do mean absolutely everything else is a bonus. Wonderful if you can do it, no big deal at all if you can't. I know people who do music at university who have one Grade 8 and nothing else, and doing very well indeed.

It is going to be a hard enough year without any more pressure from "extras". I will speak from experience that I went through ###### in my last year at school and during part of my PhD with the stress I put upon myself (without anything extra on the side). It is not an experience I would wish on even my worst enemy, and definitely not you. Hopefully you are different, but just to let you know that you might actually not realise how much pressure you are putting on yourself until it is too late. Stress is a funny, and cruel thing. You may feel like you are coping with it, and then it breaks out, and very cruelly, it can reallly get a grip on you come June. I know someone who got 90-100% on every single test and exam in all his years at school in Business Studies. Come the real A-level, he wrote about two lines, broke down and walked out on the exam. He couldn't retake for another year. I *really really* do not want that to happen to you.

Since you mentioned before you worry about exams and from reading the forums, G5 piano and G8 clarinet, then I just thought the thought of additional exams to those isn't going to make you feel better.

BTW, you mentioned in the Viva Piano forum that everyone at the moment thinks you are stupid and insane anyway. You probably took it the wrong way. I for one said you were nuts (affectionately!) to take on so many exams. That "nuts" comment has absolutely no relation to your ability to play G5 piano whatsoever. Whatever got you thinking about that? I know plenty of insane people who do G5 beautifully.

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Sep 22 2004, 04:04 PM)

i do understand that all this sounds too much for my final school year but as i said before, if i was good enough to have already taken them i would of at the moment grade 5 clarinet, grade 5 theory and grade 4 piano doesnt look particularly brilliant on my ucas form does it? compared with most others applying with grade 8 this, grade 8 that.

Other people might have grade 8 this and grade 8 that but they may have been playing longer. Some of those people at 17 who are applying to college may have started playing the piano at 6. I don't think you should necessarily be comparing yourself to other people. It seems to me to be a bit unfair if in order to do music at college you need to be a certain standard which may only be obtainable if you start at an early age. The age at which you start an instrument is usually down to parents anyway. What about people who don't start playing until their teens but have actually progressed quicker, because of talent/maturity than some of the people who started earlier but have taken longer to get to the level they are at.

You sound really fed up about this topic Natalie and I don't blame you. When David started this topic he didn't make it clear that this "person" wanted to do these exams in order to gain entry to college. I think he should have mentioned that as it puts a whole different aspect on question.

the reason David started this topic was to prove to me how stupid and mad im being to take these exams. and he knew that if he said it was me, people would answer differently, he wanted everyobne's PROPER thoughts to prove to me that what he has been telling me for ages is correct

sorry for my comment earlier nat! it wasn't anything personal, just my general opinion... and i agree that david should have said you were applying to do music... where do you plan to study?#

don't let the forum stress you out. it's just a forum, you don't have to look at it if you don't want to.

sorry again!

cheeble

im really unsure of where to study, i have a list of about 6/7 that ill apply to, but im not telling anyone.

i just neeeeeeeeed a grade 8 coz most universites/all, want a grade 8 in something and i have nowhere near that. all i want to do is study music, why why do i need to be grade 8 this and that

awww!

i think a lot of universities don't require the actual exam as such, just the standard... but i dont want to stop you taking the exam! it really is entirely up to you, you don't need to listen to anyone trying to discourage you. just make sure (and I'm sure you've already done this) you weigh up the possible consequences beforehand.

i'm also really unsure of where to go to study as well. now i understand why all the previous year 13s used to snap at me roundabout this time of year.

good luck!

Well, if its any cosolation,Natalie, I was going to add that David was being rather unfair in posting this topic in the first place, because to be honest, none of us really know what you are capable of. Unfortunetly, I suddenly relised that I had a mere 10 minutes to walk the half mile up the top of the road to catch my college bus and had to fly off.

And you aren't mad. I'm starting to figure out just how much work the International Baccalaureat entails (6 subjects, plus 150 hours Creativity/Action/Service). And I'm suposed to be doing my grade 8 flute. And I'm taking A-Level maths as an extra.

I think I'm the crazy one.

QUOTE (tamsin @ Sep 22 2004, 06:18 PM)

none of us really know what you are capable of

But to be fair, only nat knows this. David can't tell how she is coping with the workload.

Helen

nobody is crazy for working hard. but everyone should take care of themselves!

QUOTE

the reason David started this topic was to prove to me how stupid and mad im being to take these exams. and he knew that if he said it was me, people would answer differently, he wanted everyobne's PROPER thoughts to prove to me that what he has been telling me for ages is correct

I should have known he just wanted to prove himself right.

But Nat, like I said, if you really really need the grade 8, just work for the clarinet and have everything else on the side until then! Don't stress toooooo much!

QUOTE (cecilia @ Sep 22 2004, 06:24 PM)

But Nat, like I said, if you really really need the grade 8, just work for the clarinet and have everything else on the side until then!  Don't stress toooooo much!

I think that's the best advice you'll get: I still think that if you do all those piano exams back to back you'll actually be a worse pianist than you would be if you just slowed down and played pieces at the right level. I do stand by what I said: if you're doing them and you don't need them you really will just be kidding yourself that you are grade 7 standard, even if you pass it: to be good you really need the repertoire and experience to back it up (although having said there are quite a few people who've passed grade 7 and have done exactly that).

Since (as you say) you need your clarinet exam to convince the universities to even look at your application then you'll have to do that and pass it. To give yourself the best chance of getting in to the university you want to then do the clarinet and put everything else on hold after you've done the grade 5 piano exam that you've entered for. It's a wise decision in the long run and you can still learn piano working gradually towards a good mark at grade 6 and you don't have to give up when you get to university!

But as I said before it's your decision and only you can make it.

well i suppose David has succeeded in a way coz this topic has put a lot of doubt in my mind as to whether i can do anything. i am completely confuddled (my new word ) as to what to do, im really doubting myself now

Nat,

Ask yourself what you really want to do, don't be confused. I agree with Cecilia, don't stress yourself too much. Whatever decision that you've decided. I'll always support you. Don't lose hope of let discouragement words to affect you, ok?

Czaire