Dear All,

Son is due to take his Grade 7 in the middle of March and likes Handel's Allegro in D min (A5) and Turina's Fiesta No. 7 (C6) as they are fast and energetic.

Ah, but now for the Romantic piece Mendlessohn's Andante Expressivo No. 1 (A3), a beautiful piece but needs calming down from a dance into a song. How should it be pedalled to give the correct feeling?

ME!!! hopefully... I might take the exam in the summer if ready.

I got the book in January and am looking at the Scarlatti for List A, Grovlez or Mendelssohn for list B, and the Ravel for List C. I initially tried the Bartok but it was so hard to get my hands balanced and co-ordinated. The Ravel three-stave bit is also impossible in my opinion, but less impossible than the Bartok!

I don't like fast, energetic pieces because they're harder technically to play but I do like the Mendelssohn - and I'm not sure about the pedalling. Do you have the CD to listen to?

Good luck to your son

Dear Madbassonist,

You and my son both sound like you are progressing at about the same rate. I hope you have been enjoying other repertoire since your spectacular Grade 6 result!

Grade 7 really does seem a huge leap forward. Have played the Mendlessohn on the CD, but find the recording difficult to interpret as am only a rusty Grade 7 myself. It seems a quiet recording and as it is played faster than my son's own expression/version it sounds really different and this, in turn, puts him off completely!

I've been playing some Debussy, and some movements of Mozart's sonatas - I did the theme and variations from the A major sonata, and the 1st mvt of an F major one, and the last mvt of a Bb major one - but I couldn't get the semiquavers fast enough!

Just before Christmas I got the book 'Jazz on a Winter's Night' by Nikki Iles, with 11 jazz versions of carols and popular songs. I found it great to have some light relief, and something to play at family parties etc!

I have also been asked to accompany my piano teacher's choir for a concert in a fortnight's time - so I've been learning 3 songs, including a jazz version of Scarborough Fair (in 5/4!! )

Re: the Mendelssohn - when I first listened to the CD I thought it was a bit fast, but I suppose it could be boring if played too slowly. Will think about it more and discuss with my teacher!

I'm also taking part for the Grade 7 this year!!
I've chosen A1,B2 and C3. I've not completed yet the C3 and the other two pieces are Ok for the time being.
For the scales , i think there is a great difference compared to the Grade 6
Good luck to both of you!

Dear C3dric,

Good luck to you when you take yours later in the year! I agree that there is a big step up from Grade 6.

Son also has been playing some Debussy - it's Clair de Lune at the moment. He's also picked out some pieces from Prokofiev's Visions Fugitives Op.22 to have a go at next. I think I'll check out the Jazz music you mentioned - it's good to have a mix of styles for fun and variety!