Hi everyone,

I have a fab 13-year old student who is doing his Grade 6 (oboe) in mid-March. A month ago I would have confidently predicted a distinction - his pieces were just great, he was rattling off his scales... In the last two weeks, though, he's gone backwards. I'm still sure he'll pass, but I'm less confident of a distinction, which would be a real shame because he is completely capable of it. I can't put my finger on what's going on in his head, but a lot of the scales have got wrong notes starting to creep in, and he's just not on top of his pieces any more. He often tries to rush things, then gets in a flap because then it's slightly beyond him. But if I make him slow down again, then the mistakes often stay.

If this were myself I'd just put it down to lack of concentration, but I'm not sure this is the case with him. I'm trying to be upbeat and positive because I don't want him to start panicking, and I know he knows the pieces/scales, but on the other hand I want him to see that he needs to get back on top of things again!

Any advice how I can get him back on track?

Totally agree - give him some new music with a bit of a technical challenge (to keep his fingers dexterous) and then hit the revision button once you have a date for his exam. There is a fine line between being ready on time and being ready too early/late for the exam. Sounds like he's "peaked" a bit soon and is now starting to make silly mistakes because of this.

Have some relaxation for a week or two - I'm sure he'll be fine then and probably even stronger for the change.

Good luck to him!

Oboist

Even the scales? It is safe to stop doing those for a few weeks?! I'd have thought they need to keep ticking over.

I would go along with the others on this - why not try scales in different rhythms and concentrate on sight-reading by doing some fun duets for at least part of the lesson. It's very difficult to get students to peak at the right time, especially when you are unsure of the date of the exam - one of the reasons I am using TG more now, I have the week of the exam months in advance.

i agree with the playing-something-different approach, but also don't stop playing his pieces and scales altogther. but perhaps get him to play all his exam pieces/scales through at half or quarter the normal speed, to keep them there and clean.