'A little boy came home and told his mother, "When I grow up, I want to be a musician!" his mother replied, "Well, son, you know I've always said I'll encourage and support you in anything you want to do, but I'm afraid in this case, it's one or the other!" '


Sorry, had to be done

Thanks - you may also be encouraged that I took the fugue really quite slowly and got the comment "appropriate tempo" and got 28/30. So no need to rush it. Best wishes with getting into Cardiff Uni - I too was there many years ago and loved it. Great music dept - I did physics though, as I wanted a job when I finished

Now that sounds very encouraging...roughly what bpm did you play it?

about quaver = 110

Slightly off topic, but my youngest son is at Cardiff taking physics and music. Best of both worlds! Most of his social life revolves around the music society and it seems a great department.

That's utterly fantastic, Enharmonic Change, well done! Just wondering, how many hours were you practising? I like your ideal of scales in a bowl, might give that a try.

Yes well done from me too. Absolutely brilliant result.


fsharpminor's comment reminds me that the time has now come to finally make a decision that I cannot put off any longer. I need to obtain at least a Licentiate level diploma for more than personal satisfaction.

Should I enter for the LLCM diploma? Or, as I have not taken a piano exam for 20-odd years, should I enter for another Associate level diploma, the DipABRSM, and only after success (after as many retakes as necessary - hopefully none!) to move on to the LRSM?

Advantages of the ABRSM route: gentler step-wise approach after such a long exam-free gap so eventual success at Licentiate more likely; more widely recognized accreditation; pass mark is a lower percentage of the marks available.

Drawbacks: It a slower route to a higher level qualification; The LLCM performance syllabus requires only a performance and program notes - so you can have everyhting prepared to the tiniest detail beforehand - whereas the AB exams also require a Viva and sight-reading (quick study)

The extra cost of two (more expensive) exams rather than one is not a significant factor because the AB has examination centres in the Netherlands. For London College exams I would have to travel to the UK. The travel costs would cancel out any saving in fees.

Having to prepare more pieces to a high standard is not a consideration either. I have to do that anyway.


Advice?

Opinions?

Votes?

I think around about 7 hours per week (mostly at the weekend due to working away).

Tom, I was looking at the LRSM the other day, and I think you would have to do Dip ABRSM first - as would I, as I doubt they would accept ALCM in 1963 as a prerequisite.
But I already play the Bach F# minor (Book 2) - 8 mins ,and also the Shost E minor Prelude & Fugue (9mins). So I would just need a 23 minute Sonata to cover it, or two shorter pieces.
I havent looked at LLCM , but maybe its the better option for me as I have ALCM.
Having said that if I do decided to have another go, I am leaning towards just doing Dip A for starters as my last exam was in 1965 (ATCL organ failed).
I also have the option to do an organ DIploma as I have a piano one.

Correct. They don't accept anyone else's Associate level diplomas as pre-req for the LRSM.

I play enough stuff already for 3 or 4 different LRSM or LLCM programs!

Looks like you have exactly the same dilemma as me

Or perhaps even a trilemma

I think you're the only one who can decide this, Mad Tom.

Does any little part of you feel disappointed at the thought of not having LRSM, or would you be perfectly happy with the LLCM?

Are you confident enough to "know" that you would pass Licentiate now? If not, it's worth doing DipABRSM and finding out just how high a standard the examiners feel you are at.

Is any part of the "more than personal satisfaction" time dependent? If so, it might be better to go straight for LLCM.

I'm not going to "vote", as I don't know the answers to the above, but I hope you can make a decision and stick to it ! Best of luck!

OMG Is that all? I thought you must be practising for hours and hours a day. You must be a genius. Congratulations again. that really is amazing.

Dear EschewObfuscation,

My pass at Grade 7 is also coming up for its silver anniversary Spring 1986.

Have you been practising? Are you around the same level as we were back then?

My pass at Grade 7 is also coming up for its silver anniversary Spring 1986.

Have you been practising? Are you around the same level as we were back then?
[/quote]

Hi, I hadnt realised it was the silver anniversary how time flies. I've been trying to practise, but it's haphazard. It's 11 months since I restarted, and I think I'm close to where I was. My stamina needs improvement [I got tendonitis when I restarted] and I need to find a teacher instead of stuffing around.

Were you planning to continue to Grade 8?

I am so much in awe of your results! So brilliant. Can't believe you did it in 6 weeks too. Many, many congratulations. I have just got my Grade 8 violin, and have started to think maybe I sould brush up on my piano too, and I think you've really inspired me to get going. I too just got a pass in 1976, so maybe I will use you as my motivation to do G8 again!!!! Well done, again.

Many congratulations Enharmonic Change - an inspiration. What a great achievement in such a short space of time.

[quote name='EschewObfuscation' date='Apr 15 2010, 12:39 PM' post='941444']
My pass at Grade 7 is also coming up for its silver anniversary Spring 1986.

Have you been practising? Are you around the same level as we were back then?
[/quote]

Hi, I hadnt realised it was the silver anniversary how time flies. I've been trying to practise, but it's haphazard. It's 11 months since I restarted, and I think I'm close to where I was. My stamina needs improvement [I got tendonitis when I restarted] and I need to find a teacher instead of stuffing around.

Were you planning to continue to Grade 8?
[/quote]


No, my technical ability has been allowed to dwindle. I aspire someday to reach my Grade 8 goal to complete the grade system but know a grand effort would be involved!

I think a teacher would be a good idea. Good luck!

That's interesting, I guess I've been under the impression that I need to whizz through it so this is useful advice. Interesting about Cardiff too! Well done again!



Glad to hear that it's a little nerve wracking the thought of going even though it is exciting! I've heard lots of great things so fingers crossed!

Just caught up with this.

WELL DONE!

You scared me when you told us what you had done. Just goes to show what can be achieved with enough determination.


* scuttles off to do some practice*

Many thanks Marianne - and many congratulations on the G8 violin - and thinking about G8 piano too - WOW! One instrument is plenty for me (at the moment!)