Hi everyone,

Title says it all really. I'm currently working on repertoire between Grade 7 and Grade 8 and learning the Grade 8 scales.

My main aim is to teach which i've been wanting to do for ages now. I feel like I have to get Grade 8 quickly to enable me to teach but I know these things take time and I think it may be more beneficial if I did Grade 7 first. I'm not rushing through grades, I like to play lots of different repertoire - not just learn 3 pieces for each grade.

So I don't really know what I should do - I feel like i'm stopping myself from sitting back and enjoying the ride in reaching grade 8.

Anyway just needed to let off steam. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, let me know.

Thanks

Hello Violinist,

Firstly don't beat yourself up about it...you plainly have very set goals but to use your own point are you missing out on the fun getting there by just exam bashing...I am glad that you don't just learn the three pieces and do lots of different repetoire thats very important...sometimes its important to remember why we play...we play because we have something to communicate...music is our language, without it we are in a way mute....

I don't know of you play in any ensembles but that can be a great way to take oneself out of the exam loop and have some fun whilst learning at the same time...Music isn't all about exams its about life, beauty and the human spirit, exams are purely markers along that road to self expression to guage how we are doing and to give others an idea of our standard of musical achivement.

Go out and have some fun with your music...play some old repetoire and see how much you have improved, be your own examiner for awhile and enjoy it...be honest about your performance and enjoy Enjoy ENJOY, have a giggle at your mistakes, they too are all part of learning and will help you when you teach someone else..who will no doubt make the very same mistakes as we all did...

Remeber music is an Art not a science...music comes from the mind and soul of both the composer and the artist playing it, I doubt any technology could manage that...it may have the power intelligence wise but it cannot empathise, it does not have the living spark...

So get your violin out and play, play in the garden, play on the heath, in a field astound others with what you can do...my neighbours often comment "oooh that was lovely" (obvviously very discerning music lovers )

All the best...keep your fiddle up...you will achieve what you want to but have some fun getting there...

Andrew

I fully agree with A.U.K. You've achieved so much!! grade 7 & 8 are not easy to reach so congrats. Don't push yourself too hard enjoy playing and then as a treat, do an exam so that you get the certificates as a proof to your ability. You mustn't get stressed by playing an instrument but the contrary, the instrument should relax you. Don't focus too much on exams. Or else, if you feel ready do sit for the exams so that you take them off your mind but don't forget to enjoy yourself, that's the most important.

What does your teacher think about your progress?

I'm hoping to do my grade 6 next year but my progress is very slow because I don't have regular lessons as they are too expensive. I know what you mean about wanting to learn faster just to get up to grade 8. You shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself though. I'm not sure about teaching qualifications, but you can still teach privately with grade 7 can't you? I would be happy for someone with grade 7 to teach me if they're willing to charge me a bit less (i.e I pay £30 for an one hour lesson, I'll be happy to pay around £15 to £20 for someone with grade 7). I probably can't tell the difference between a grade 7 and 8 player! You can still have a go at teaching beginners and adults below grade 5 or 6? For beginners, the main thing is basic technique and rhythm, you can easily teach that and cos you're charging less, people will be more likely to have more frequent lessons. It'll be a good experience for you, so that that when you do get to grade 8 - you would have teaching experience and can charge more for lessons.

How long do you think it'll take you to get up to grade 8? You shouldn't rush and should enjoy the process. There's a lot more to learn after grade 8 and if you feel like you rushed it, you might struggle with more advanced pieces after grade 8.

Have you thought about teaching music theory? You can probably charge the standard price for teaching students to work towards grade 5 music theory.

Good luck!

Can't really say anything without repeating someone else's sound advice - but remember that you need to enjoy playing - that's the main thing.

If you're working on the Grade 8 scales and having a go at Grade 8 stuff already, you'll need leass time to prepare for it once you've done your Grade 7...

Congrats, anyway! and don't worry about it - you sound as though you're determined to get there pretty soon, and I'm sure you'll manage it