Hello,

I've started to panic because the board messed up my exam date and had to move it to next Thursday, they only informed us yesterday...so it was a bit of a shock.

Anyway, I'm playing Schumann's Traumerei for my list B choice and I was wondering how anyone else would play the large chord towards the end. In the teachers guide it says to arpegiate it, but on the cd the pianist just plays them all together which actually, I find easier!!!

Also, when playing scales I always find myself adding an extra octave purely by accident. I never do less than four, will they mark me down very much in the exam if I do this by mistake?


Thanks

Id have thought as its not marked as an arpeggio, and you can get the tenth OK, then theres no need to spread it.
I also wouldnt have thought you'd be penalised for doing an octave too many, but if youre fitting in 5 octaves you'd be starting right at the bottom of the keyboard , otherwise you'd run out of keyboard !

I don't arpeggiate this chord. It's probably a suggestion for people with smaller hands.

You may be docked points for over-running on the octaves, especially if you do it on every one! The occassional slip might not warrant any more than a comment on your report sheet. I count in my head how many octaves I've done, but as F#m says, to play 5 octaves you would have to start low on the keyboard. Start with right hand an octave below middle C (or thereabouts, depending on the tonic note) and you'll be fine.

Good luck

I do arpeggiate this chord because I can't reach a tenth - but I think either way would be quite acceptable.
Good luck!

I arpeggiate it, despite being able to reach it, purely because i don't like the sound of it when it's played together.
as for scales, i dont think they'd mark you down for doing 5 octaves by accident, and you will probably just get a comment on the exam sheet.

I have my Grade 7 piano in 4 weeks time, and im doing:
A4: clementi sonata in G major
B6: schumman traumerei
C2: Brian Bonsor Willie Wagglestick’s Walkabout

What pieces are you doing apart from the schumann?

Jacob.

I am doing:

A1: Giga - Loeillet
B6: Traumerei - Schumann
C5: The Little Shepherd - Debussy

Group 1 scales etc

I would have thought that playing five octaves by mistake would matter because it would be evident from your rhythm and pulse that you had lost your way and maybe lacking in a sense of direction in your scales. I find it helps to put an 'invisible clock' in your head before you start that counts in 'fours' without any obvious accents of course. The 'fours' should help you get the right feel and then it is easier to get round the corner at the top to get back down again

Hope this helps and good luck with your exam - Grade 7 is a lot of work.