Having never played a wind instrument before last summer I started lessons Sept '07. Took grade 5 yesterday ( a special visit). Felt like it went well. Accompanist and teacher (listening outside) thought it went well. Fingers crossed.

Pleased it went well, Robodoc. Another string to your bow (or should it be another mouthpiece to your collection? ).

Hope you get a great result.

Well done - grade 5 is no mean achievement, especially in such a short time. Glad it went well

Well done!

Hope your result is what you want it to be

You don't waste time do you Robo? I hope that you get a great result.

Wow grade 5 in a year? Awesome

Congratulations!

Wouldn't be able to make that jump meself,

He is far too talented, disciplined, and hard-working! Not simply flute to grade 5 in a year, but flute to grade 5 in a year while also going from a lapsed Grade 5 pianist to a good Grade 8, doing a demanding job, doing a lot of chess organizing (including running a children's chess club), regularly visiting his mother during her recent illness (not easy as she has retired to the South of France), and ferrying his sons around and supporting them in their lives and ambitions.

Last weekend he played the Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 123 from memory for me and even on my battered old upright it was a pleasure to listen to. Astonishing after only 18 months work at the piano.

And he sings well, strums a guitar effectively, writes amusing verse, and on the rare occasion that I don't know the answer to a quiz question he usually does.

The man is a marvel!

. . . and yet I am still awed by Mad Tom's piano virtuosity (and chess).

Well done. Hope the results come soon