After quite a bit of thought, I've decided to put myself in for grade 4 piano.

I was trying pieces from last years syllabus, but have bought the new syllabus, and I love the pieces on it!
I've pretty much decided on;

A1 Allegro assai,
B1 Lied der Grossmutter (I LOVE this, it's soooooooooo beautiful!)
C3 Honky Tonk piano.

I don't have piano lessons, but every now and again I have an odd lesson with my Saxophone teacher, who studied Saxophone and Piano at RCM, so that really helps!

I did grade 2 last Summer, and may try for this on 30th April (special visit) or failing that, hopefully Summer.

I've also bought the complete 'Hanon' book and have started doing the exercises as I am a little un-co-ordinated at times, my bass clef reading is a bit slower than my treble, as it's obviously a clef I haven't needed to use before.

Is anyone else doing grade 4 this year?

I have a student working for grade 4 in April. So far we have learnt the Handel, Vaughan Williams and the Heather Hammond piece. I think there is a really great selection of pieces for this grade and we are having a look at a few others before making a final choice.

I am doing Grade 4 this term, did an online entry last Saturday and requested week 4.

I will be playing from the old syllabus

A Piece = Air
B Piece = Little Boats
C Piece = Baroque and Roll

ET

I am doing Grade 4 this term, did an online entry last Saturday and requested week 4.

I will be playing from the old syllabus

A Piece = Air
B Piece = Little Boats
C Piece = Baroque and Roll

ET
[/quote]

I think I was thinking of doing the first 2 you mention, but having bought the new syllabus book, prefer the new ones.

I'm hoping I don't get too nervous, as it's a real problem having shaking hands isn't it?!

Best of luck Eldatom!

[quote name='saxgirl' date='Jan 15 2009, 11:01 PM' post='779984']
I am doing Grade 4 this term, did an online entry last Saturday and requested week 4.

I will be playing from the old syllabus

A Piece = Air
B Piece = Little Boats
C Piece = Baroque and Roll

ET
[/quote]

I think I was thinking of doing the first 2 you mention, but having bought the new syllabus book, prefer the new ones.

I'm hoping I don't get too nervous, as it's a real problem having shaking hands isn't it?!

Best of luck Eldatom!
[/quote]


Best of luck to you too Saxgirl.

As for this years syllabus I loved all the A pieces, but wasn't too keen on the B's and hated all the C's. Therefore I have to pass March as this will be the last time that the old syllabus pieces may be used.

How you going with your aural?

ET

I think i'll be fine with the aural, but it's the scales that are posing a problem at present!!

I know my scales well, but cannot fathom that some should start on finger 4 or 5 (bass) and similar!

Perhaps there is a logical pattern or something?! At present I can't for the life of me see how I will remember which finger to start on!! I've bought the complete Hanon book and like playing the patterns, but i'm sticking with the first 3 pages for now until I can do them really well!

Will I get penalised if I don't use the given fingers in the scale book?

Hi, Saxgirl,

The logical patterns tend to emerge as you move up. I would persevere with the given fingering as - although you might get by with unorthodox fingering at g4 - it will get progressively more difficult as you move upward and you will probably have to 'unlearn' it at some stage.

I often doubt the marked fingering in pieces, but I have yet to be proved right in nearly 40 years!

Good luck with the exam