So having a proud mummy moment here. Well who else could I boast too?!

We just got DS exam paper back, as you know it was a 113 pass.

A 25
B 26
C 25

Scales 13 and 12 so both failed by 1 mark.

Aural 12 - a surprise given he is a chorister.

Comment (the proud mummy bit): This result doesn't reflect your playing potential. Do get more security on the supporting tests as you really have an unusually good sound for such a young player.

Congratulations! You deserve your proud mummy bit (especially reading your description of DS2) . At least you have some ammunition for encouraging greater efforts in the scale department.

What a lovely comment! That should encourage him to persevere with bassoon.

I wouldn't worry too much about the aural - I think it's a complete lottery what mark is achieved in that. As long as his teacher is covering the aural with your son, and he is OK on it most of the time, just keep your fingers crossed that he'll do better next time. Scales need a bit of improvement, though, if he's going for the best mark in grade 4.

That's lovely - onwards and upwards!

Thanks for your nice comments.

As for grade 4...we'll see. But I am doing every grade 4 scale with him once each practice session so that the problem remembering them won't happen again. I am also going to get him to do them with his eyes closed as suggested by a member on another thread - brilliant idea!

I am not sure Aural was being done with him so I will keep an eye on that. Now to work out what is meant by a lovely sound because I ain't heard it yet!

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I reckon my husband would say the same of my clarinet playing but my teacher says she's never heard me not make a good sound.

Great comments from the examiner.

Very good comments from the examiner, yes. And well done once again to your son

I need to buy that CD tonedeafmum and I really need to work out the names of note lengths because DS at me everytime I say you played a ta-ti instead of a ta!

See! Your son can play Bassoon after all Congratulations to him and I hope the marks inspire him.

Improve Your Aural, Paul Harris are also very good and come with a CD. There is one for each grade.

I bang my head on the brick wall over scales and we've had worse Aural marks so don't worry they can be improved.