Hi all,

I'm working through Grade 8 scales at the moment and was wondering if anyone can clarify something for me:

1- grade 8 requires scales to be played "in similar motion, hands together a third apart, and a sixth apart, in the major and harmonic minor keys...". My question is: instead of playing a third apart, would it be possible to play this a 10th apart? (my teacher says it should be ok, but I'd like to make sure as she teaches the Russian system). I'm using the Manual of Scales, Broken Chords and Arpeggios for Piano (ABRSM Publishing) as a guide, and it states," a third or a tenth apart". So would it be possible to play third as a 10th?

2- Grade 8 also requires scales to be played 'legato only, in thirds, each hand separately, in the keys of C nand B flat majors (2 octaves)". Does this mean a third apart?? This would not make sense as the key of C has already been covered (see scales requirement point (ii)? Am I missing the plot?

Any help clarifying these issues would be of immense help!

Thanks

Not sure about the 10ths - probably not, otherwise it would say so in the syllabus. 3rd is hands together (one note in each hand) and also with one hand at a time (two notes in one hand). That's the mix-up.

Any syllabus is meant to be taken entirely literally.

With regard to scales played hands together, it says notes a third apart, and that is exactly what it means. Tenths are not only different, they are easier!

Thirds, hands separately, means playing two notes (a third apart) with one hand.

<- Atempts legato thirds in RH, staccato sixths in LH, contrary motion.

Thanks for the replies! I'll definately be practicing thirds instead of 10ths then.......I think the syllabus means Double Thirds with regard to thirds...as in for e.g., in the key of C, thirds starts off as C-E (2 notes )then D-F then E-G etc...

Incidentally, anyone know how fast one should play scales etc for Grade 8?

Thanks!!

See p32 of this article

Thanks!

I'm also studying for my grade 8 piano. My teacher is getting me to practice the 3rds apart in 10ths initially so can clearly hear the separate notes. However, my understanding is that for the exam you have to play them a 3rd apart. As someone has already said this is much harder than playing them a 10th apart !

Re your second point, yes you do have to play these a third apart in C as this is quite different from the scales referred to in your first point. Here the third apart is played with just one hand ie your left or your right, so quite a different technique.

When are you planning on doing Grade 8 piano ?

I am planning to do mine on 31st March I am feeling nervous since i've done grade 7 practical in 2002 but i hope to calm myself down till then

Good luck for your exam. I hope to do it in the June sitting but depends if my teacher thinks I'm ready for it by the final entry date.

Not planning to do the Grade 8 this year (waiting for the new syllabus to come out so most prob plan to do G8 next year)...I've still got my hands full with the Russian syllabus music exams which I'm going to be sitting for in April next year....I've got to learn the following pieces off by heart

Chopin Etude op.25 No.1
Rachmaninoff prelude in C sharp minor op.,3 no. 2
Bach- prelude and Fugue in D minor BWV 851
Beethoven- Sonata Op. 10 no. 1 (first movement)

Thought I would do Grade 8 at some point so that i could attempt the dip (ABRSM) etc later on (glutton for punishment!)

Sorry, off topic...good luck to everyone sitting their G8 exam!

Good luck! I'm taking my ATCL performance in May, and I'm playing that Bach Prelude & Fugue. It's really nice. The Beethoven sonata is a bit too jumpy in rhythm for my liking. Still was recommended by my teacher. Picked up the Mozart Sonata in C K309 in place of it.

you could also try the chopin etude op. 25 no. 11 or op. 10 no. 4. Fantastic stuff.

You're right, the Beethoven sonata is quite jumpy, it's totally focused on the rythym....I actually find the Rachmaninoff piece ok to play once I''ve actually memorised the piece! The Bach Fugue is driving me nuts but i'll get there eventually! the Chopin etude is beautiful! the pieces are the minimum in order to sit the exam...if I've got time I'll have a look at other pieces, thanks!

Good luck for the ATCL!

Thanks! I got my exam date a few days ago... it's on the 20th of May, 9:30am. Meaning I'm the 1st candidate on the 1st day of examinations.