Hi, I'm taking grade 5 theory on Wednesday. I just wondered if anyone else on these forums was as well. Help me, I'm so nervous

Me! I am!

I'm way past nerves and looking for a parking space near terror. If I fail this, my grade 6 flute is going to be put on hold.

But I have been told to look through the paper first, answer the cadences question at the back (thats what im best at) then go through the questions in order of which i can manage best, but leave the composition til last, so I can spend more time on it and dont rush. Then, 15 - 20 mins before the end check many times, inlcuding intervals, and the clef I have written for scales. (I have a habit of writing bass in the treble clef when Im not thinking straight!)

QUOTE

I'm way past nerves and looking for a parking space near terror

Me too. The order in which you're going to do the paper seems sensible. I'm just going to do the easy questions first, then the harder ones, then the composition, then loads of checking.

Me too, mind you I'm getting to the point where I just want it to be over. Are we allowed to take in a drink, and is there rough paper available or do we bring our own? What if I desperately need the loo halfway through?!?!

I got tested on my performance directions vocabulary last night, and let's just say - words I thought I knew, I don't!

My other fear is being the last person left. I've been told to take the whole 2 hours and use any time left over to check and re-check my answers. BUt what if I'm the only one left? I'm going to feel embarrassed that I'm the only person keeping the examiner from going home!

DON'T PANIC EVERYONE!!! honestly im not trying to give you extra pressure, but its really not that difficult.

Amber- when i did mine, they provided some rough manuscript paper. you wont be the only person left coz they one's taking grades 6-8 get longer so most of them will be there after you've gone!

don't feel embarrased bout being the last person. I know it's different but thats what i tell my students and the girl that was in there the longest just got 100% and the one that was in there nearly as long received 98. The ones that didn't take much notice of my advice were in the 80 - 90 mark range.

And yes, you can take a drink in.
Just use a sports bottle for safety

And don't spill the water all over your paper like me

My sister's taking the exam on Wednesday and she's really nervous!

Yes i am and im really nervous now.. ARRGH!!!! sooo scary... my teacher gna kill me if i fail :'(

Well, I'd just like to wish everyone (including myself) good luck for tomorrow. Just think, our tutors wouldn't be letting us sit it if they really had doubts about our ability to pass. So let's borrow some of their confidence

One quick question though...... am I right in thinking that if I choose the option to compose a melody for words, then all the performance directions go above the stave? It's just something I noticed in my lyric books, and I've never spotted it before.

Also there are far fewer phrase markings than in instrumental music. Is it better to include the phrase marks or not?

Thanks, Sbhoa, for your sensible advice about the sports bottle, and Cecilia - it must have been AWFUL for you!!!

Just think, when this is over we can all get back to the business of simply enjoying playing/singing music.......!

QUOTE (BabyBanana @ Nov 1 2004, 10:24 PM)

Yes i am and im really nervous now.. ARRGH!!!! sooo scary... my teacher gna kill me if i fail :'(

how many times do i need to tell you Anna, you will be fine! have i not taught you anything?! lol

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QUOTE (Amber @ Nov 2 2004, 10:54 AM)

am I right in thinking that if I choose the option to compose a melody for words, then all the performance directions go above the stave?  It's just something I noticed in my lyric books, and I've never spotted it before.

Yes, absolutely right. All performance instructions need to go above the stave for vocal and choral music, leaving the text uncluttered. I'm told that Jane Manning, a famous soprano who has premiered lots of contemporary works, has a mischievous habit of singing any dynamic marking etc. below the stave as if they were part of the text...

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QUOTE (Rhapsodin @ Nov 2 2004, 11:53 AM)

Don't phrase over if you make the notes staccato.

Is that really true?
Here's one counter-example from Chopin at least:
http://www.mutopiaproject.org/ftp/ChopinFF...wfi-preview.png

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Nov 2 2004, 04:43 PM)

QUOTE (BabyBanana @ Nov 1 2004, 10:24 PM) Yes i am and im really nervous now.. ARRGH!!!! sooo scary... my teacher gna kill me if i fail :'( how many times do i need to tell you Anna, you will be fine! have i not taught you anything?! lol

I'm scared please help me this is going to be my last lesson tonight and im really scared that if i mess up my transpoition that she gave me then i know that im seriously going to fail..! :'(

Please don't panic BabyB,

The transposition question is worth 10 marks out of the 100 total. You only need to get 66 marks or thereabouts to pass. So even if you totally fluffed the transposition there's still plenty of scope for you to pass and pass well without it. So calm down, breathe, smile, and have a nice early night tonight so you're well rested for tomorrow.

Cheers

Amber
x

And, another thing, BabyB,

Music Teachers aren't known for killing their students! It would be most unlikely, take my word for it!

QUOTE (Amber @ Nov 2 2004, 06:49 PM)

And, another thing, BabyB, Music Teachers aren't known for killing their students! It would be most unlikely, take my word for it!

well nat (Clairnetlover) said that she wud come and hunt for me and kill me .. so that like scary!! im like arrgh as you can guess..

my piano teacher will be very dissapointed in me as she has high hopes for me because i attended to every lesson and i always got over 66 so shes really confident in me which is not what i can say for myself.

I'll guess i'll just have to read the AB guild to thoery thnig alllllll day tomorrow have drink lots because if i get worried i get dehydrated :S

babybanana

p.s. amber- BabyB is really cool too..

QUOTE (BabyBanana @ Nov 2 2004, 07:31 PM)

I'll guess i'll just have to read the AB guild to thoery thnig alllllll day tomorrow

But then you'll be knackered and exhausted. How about you just trust in your teacher's confidence in you, and relax as much as possible......

QUOTE (BabyBanana @ Nov 2 2004, 07:31 PM)

well nat (Clairnetlover) said that she wud come and hunt for me and kill me .. so that like scary!! im like arrgh as you can guess.. I'll guess i'll just have to read the AB guild to thoery thnig alllllll day tomorrow have drink lots because if i get worried i get dehydrated :S

well i bought you that guide, so make good use of it!

i wont come and hunt for you...well maybe!!!

QUOTE

Music Teachers aren't known for killing their students!

But they can make you feel like that would be the easy option.......

QUOTE (Amber @ Nov 2 2004, 07:47 PM)

QUOTE (BabyBanana @ Nov 2 2004, 07:31 PM) I'll guess i'll just have to read the AB guild to thoery thnig alllllll day tomorrow But then you'll be knackered and exhausted. How about you just trust in your teacher's confidence in you, and relax as much as possible......

i hardly get exhausted by reading but cramming all in my brain its quite hard...

Also i will have a nap before i end up going to the exam anyways so hopefully i should be fine... hah..