Anyone working on Grade 6 Piano Syllabus 2009-2010? I am, but I haven't seen anyone other than teachers write about it.

Is there any adult learner working on it? It would be good to know and give mutual support, just like the Grade 6 Theory thread. I have just registered for Grade 6 Piano, Feb/March 2009. (My other exam in the same period is Grade 3 Singing.)

I am not sure how everyone feels about Grade 6 piano, but I do feel a substantial increase in difficulty from Grade 5. Aural tests aren't that easy either.

I am a teacher and an adult learner, and working towards Grade 6 Piano. I've decided on Clementi for list A, Beethoven for list B and Satie for list C. I was supposed to take the exam a couple of years ago, but opted out due to being signed off work with stress and depression but even with all that preparation, it doesn't seem to be any easier this time! It's heartening to see that the scales are less numerous though. Even given that, there is a substantial increase in difficulty, and the aural tests are similarly harder.

We don't have an early (Feb/Mar) exam session here in the wilds, so I won't be taking it then. Which pieces have you chosen?

I am doing Gr 6 piano, but this term.... on the old syllabus....... and I got told to work harder by my piano teacher today!!!!

I'm still officially on Grade 5 but have just started learning the Beethoven from the B list. I must say I love all the pieces in the Grade 6 book especially the Scarlatti and Peterson. Can't wait to move on (crossed fingers!)

I passed G5 last term - and that makes me a G6 student but I don't feel an exam is something to consider just yet.

I've been a very strong sightreader in exams so far and I want to keep on top of this before I consider the next exam. Sightreading is easy marks if you can do it. To this end I'm working through a big pile of old exam books at G4,5 & 6.

Oh, I am glad there are adult learners working on Grade 6 too!



Like you, Misterioso, I have chosen Clementi (A5) and Beethoven (B1). For List C, I have taken The Buccaneer by M. Arnold (C1).

C3 Satie was one of the pieces that I told myself "I want to play it for the exam", because I love the style of Satie! Then I tried it at home. Pretty much sight-readable, but I was not so good with the dynamics, and hence found myself getting a little lost while playing it Didn't feel so good, so I thought I should choose another piece that I could feel the direction with. I was asked to try C1 out, and within a week, the boisterious piece grew on me.

My current progress:
B1 - Notes pretty much there, with some dynamics in place. Still need to handle the balance between two hands. Control is paramount here!
C1 - Notes can go wrong sometimes, timing is not so good at places, have to emphasize more on dynamics. Attitude is paramount here!
A5 - The third piece I have learnt in the syllabus, and hence notes are not accurate yet. Lack of speed is my enemy... Clarity and fluency is paramount in my case!

Scales are still numerous to me I used to only practice major and harmonic minor. Now there is the melodic set as well! Wow! And staccatos! And contrary-motion chromatic starting on A# and C#, which is more difficult than that of the older syllabus!



I love the Scarlatti too!!!! It was like the first piece that I was SO SURE I wanted to play... Then I tried it for 2 weeks. The numerous ornaments really tired me out so badly that my wrist aches returned. And I simply could not get the fast passages right without fingers getting stuck between the black keys... Heart-broken, I had to give it up. My teacher said I played it with conviction (though technical aspects were inadequate), but should not go ahead with it if I lacked confidence. Sigh, now I know not every piece suits every student. I am lucky to be able to make my own decisions now, unlike when I was a young child.





I wish I could improve my sight-reading and sight-singing, and be as good as you are, Alicia Ocean. I agree it is such little marks here and there that could bring one to a merit or a distinction. Lately my sight-singing did turn out better due to singing classes, but sight-reading is still a "oh-dear-I-better-not-play-too-loudly-in-case-the-note-is-wrong". I am trying to work on my confidence by sight-reading more lower grade pieces. If you have any tips, let me know.



Clari Nicki1, what are you playing for exams? What is your exam date?
I heard from my teacher that some pieces in the old syllabus are very challenging.

Yes, I know what you mean about direction in the Satie; it's too easy for it to become a string of notes. I think I might try C1 instead as you say that it grew on you.

I find learning scales is not so bad, but sight-reading I always struggle with. When I took my Grade 5 piano, I worked my way through the sight-reading books for Grades 4, 5 and 6 at the rate of two per day, two attempts at each, and will do the same for Grade 6, using boooks 5, 6 and 7.

Yes! - I always count the beat out loud. Even in the exam. You don't lose marks for this (I didn't) and correct rhythm is more important than correct notes.