my flute teacher entered me for a grade 5 flute exam, to be taken in about a 1 - 2 weeks time. I have obviously practiced loads to get every piece to the right standard and all my scales up to scratch (thanks to everyone who posted about harmonic and melodic scales!) but after a lot of thinking I really don't think this exam is going to go well for me and I am thinking about pulling out.



I haven't spoken to my teacher yet, but I will do in my next lesson, on Tuesday, and would like some advice on what happens if you do pull out of an exam.

I have heard that you don't get your money back, is this true? and also will the syllabus have changed by the time I get round to doing the grade again, at Easter 2005?

Thanks to everyone (or anyone!) who might reply!

xx
T

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my flute teacher entered me for a grade 5 flute exam, to be taken in about a 1 - 2 weeks time.

Did you only find out recently? *horrified*

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I have obviously practiced loads to get every piece to the right standard and all my scales up to scratch (thanks to everyone who posted about harmonic and melodic scales!) but after a lot of thinking I really don't think this exam is going to go well for me and I am thinking about pulling out

Don't you want all your hard work to be rewarded? After all, if you have been working hard for it, I think you should go for it, especially if you and your teacher think you will pass, (after all she must do to have put you in for the exam).

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I have heard that you don't get your money back, is this true?

I think it is true, unless you have a plausible explanation, for example hospitalisation or something!

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will the syllabus have changed by the time I get round to doing the grade again, at Easter 2005?

I don't think so, no.

Helen

Why pull out? I'm sure you'll pass, your teaher wouldn't have entered you otherwise, and if (though its highly unlikely) you do fail, at least you'll have gained the performance experience from the exam, and not wasted the momey like you would have if you pulled out.

Why are you considering pulling out? Is it that you don't feel ready, or feel overly nervous?

I think you should do the exam seeing as you've been entered for it. Just go in radiating confidence (even if you don't feel it) and it'll go fine. Good luck.

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Is it that you don't feel ready, or feel overly nervous?

I don't feel ready, I haven't been playing the pieces for as long as usual and still get feedback from my teacher such as 'it needs to go faster' or 'not up to standard'...not really reasurring!

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Just go in radiating confidence

:S easier said than done!:)...

although i agree with Helen that the work i have put in will be wasted...

hmm

I'll let you know!

xxx
T

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'it needs to go faster' or 'not up to standard'

So, for bits you can't play as well, take out that phrase, play through slowly but bang in time and correct fingerings, then gradually work up the speed (a metronome would be useful for this if you don't already use one), then stick 'em back in and see how much better it sounds!!!

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although i agree with Helen that the work i have put in will be wasted...

Heeheeeee

Go over pieces that you don't know so well everyday, use the ones you are most positive with as a good warm up then spend as long a possible sorting out the parts you can't play!

xxxgood luck if you do take the examxxx

Lea

If you have already paid then you might as well go in but treat it more like a practice exam or an extra lesson - you are going to get feedback from the examiner which will be more about the style and overall impression you gave, whereas if you are like me your teacher will still be pestering you about the notes. It's always nice to have a second opinion on something, and you have nothing to lose. Besides you might be being harsh on yourself, you are probably more ready than you think you are. You might be sick of the pieces by Easter as well, so on those grounds may play them better now!

I agree with everyone else: Go for it!!! After all, if you don't get your money back you might as well take the exam. Either you pass, which would be great and all you worries will have been for nothing, or you fail, and then you've learned from the experience. It can only have a positive outcome!!!

don't know what to do...i'm definately gonna have a long talk with my flute teacher...but i can tell that i'm gonna end up going in for it seeing as though she'll probably have the same point of view as you lot!



xxx
T

QUOTE (tay774a @ Nov 29 2004, 07:39 PM)

:huh: don't know what to do...i'm definately gonna have a long talk with my flute teacher...but i can tell that i'm gonna end up going in for it seeing as though she'll probably have the same point of view as you lot!

Try to forget about the result and think of the exam as presenting the composers' thoughts to an audience, even though that is only one (head-down and scribbling) person. For most people, performing makes them nervous, but the more you do, the less nervous you feel, so even if you fail (which, people have pointed out, your teacher does not expect) you get some benefit from the experience.

I understand perfectly about not feeling ready for the exam (with one hour till my grade8!!) but I'm still going for it. I'm just going to give it my best shot and pray! This morning, I seriously considered staying in bed and skipping it, but then I thought, that would be simply not giving myself a chance.

How long have you been preparing for grade 5, cause I've only had 6 months since I took my grade 7 (where I scraped a pass) and everyone who knows me, is astonished that my teacher entered me so soon.

well...i'm gonna take it! still not that sure about it though, but i'll follow your advice of being confident and thinking of it as a practice performance etc.

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How long have you been preparing for grade 5

I took my grade 4 exam in easter but didn't start the G5 pieces until this term (september) and didn't start my 1st piece until the beginning of November!

hopefully it will go ok, I thought i hadn't passed my grade 4 after taking it as i really mucked up on my scales and played Majors instead of minors... *grimaces* i did pass though..so hopefully i'll be lucky again!

xxx
T

thanks for all your advice everyone...I'll let you know how i get on!:P

QUOTE (tay774a @ Nov 30 2004, 06:46 PM)

well...i'm gonna take it!

Glad you've decided to go for it. Best of luck!

Go with your heart. Simple.

Although, my heart told me not too eat a huge great bar of chocolate just now and I did. Bad idea.


Anway...

GOOD LUCK

tay774a,
how did your exam go - if it has gone yet?
*fingers crossed*
Cat

hey guys...sorry i haven't posted for so long...my computer went all weird and wouldn't start up...anyway!



before i start remember that it's christmas....season of good will and present giving etc... ok, got the lovely picture in your mind?

*takes deep breath* i didn't do the exam.... *hides behind hands*

BUT! i am gonna take it next time round for sure

xxx
T

p.s i know what you sed but..well its done so...pls don't hurt me, i have a cold! you can't injure the ill!

p.p.s thanks to everyone who posted comments and wished me luck etc...i'll keep hold of it (the luck) till easter time!

If you really didn't feel ready it was probably for the best. Certainly better than putting yourself under a lot of stress and worry like I did, only to fail.

Good luck next time round though, and let us know how you get on.

QUOTE (tay774a @ Dec 20 2004, 08:03 PM)

*takes deep breath* i didn't do the exam.... *hides behind hands* BUT! i am gonna take it next time round for sure xxx T

Are you entered again? I hope you feel you will be more ready this time! What pieces are you playing?