I'm preparing for Grade 6 Piano, and have two pieces that are gradually going somewhere, and one that definitely isn't going anywhere - the List C Satie. I don't think I could live with either of the other two List C pieces in the book, and wondered if anyone knew what the alternative pieces were like?

I tend to veer away from music that is too dissonant, especially modern music, and can't do huge stretches due to having arthritis. Can anyone recommend any of the alternatives, please?

Just wanted to tell you (in case you don't know) you can listen to very brief snatches of them here:

http://www.abrsmpublishing.dloadshop.com/

I'm just back from the AB seminar on the new syllabus. My notes from grade 6 say:
Poulenc : sounds like a fairground organ (I'm not a big Poulenc fan)
Turnage : very simple (I don't remember this one being particularly inspiring)
Villa-Lobos : Very straightforward - I liked this one as I recall so would probably go for this one

What a shame you haven't managed to get on with the Satie - its is such a lovely piece - what is the problem? Have you listened to a recording?

I take it you're preparing the 2009-2010 syllabus. There is a lovely piece by Glière (List B) which sounds like a tall job though, as it is full or arpeggiated notes with alternate hands - as far as I can judge from the recording as I haven't got the book ... yet!)
Any feedback?
I'd love to start preparing this grade now (to be taken in 2010) as I believe it takes lots of time at my level.

Our presenter on the syllabus seminar painted a lovely picture with this piece, summoning up the eponymous Rosa Amarela as a slightly affected "luvvie" character tripping about giving air kisses to all she meets - there are several audible "mwah!" moments in the music if you are in mind to listen to it that way. So yes an attractice piece, not hard, with grace and humour in it!

(The Oscar Peterson incidentally he played easily twice as fast as the recommended metronome mark - at which pace it really sounds like Peterson! - but a big ask at this grade)

That's the one! I started the day writing copious notes, but by the time we got to grade 6 I was flagging a bit..

Son has just started preparing for this exam and has chosen C:1 "The Buccaneer".

The teaching notes state "not one for the faint hearted!"

I can't decide if I think it is brilliant or will simply drive us mad for a few months!

It is really really fun! I am playing it for next march too... and it is very challenging not to miss notes while playing so loud and so fast

Dear Teoani,

I'm guessing that you also played "Ice-Cream Van" for your Grade 3 ?? !!

Thanks so much for this - I didn't know this facility existed! It's excellent for deciding at least which pieces might be a possibility and which are definitely off the agenda. And after a not-very-good lesson the other day (which left me feeling totally depressed ) I might even change my B list piece too.

Haha Nope, I took my Grade 3 almost 20 years ago. They didn't have such unconventional pieces back then. But I played Mister Trumpet Man for Grade 5, which is another loud piece.

I think you will start to like C1 once your son gets it all together. I started off on it thinking, "What the h*ll is this noisy thing?!!?", and now I love it. Trust me. It's a really fun piece. I played a poor version of it on YouTube, and yet lots of fellow learners grew to like it too.

Dear Teoani,

Of course, "Mister Trumpet Man" for Grade 5!

I'll let you know if I like C1 come March!