Has anyone changed to a different exam piece not long before the exam? If so, why, and what was the outcome?

(I know it's not advisable, but I've made a sudden decision to switch to another piece because I'm struggling with taking enough breaths on my existing piece. The new one appears much easier to play. My exam is next Tuesday).

Pieces tend to be the same level with different difficulties are you sure that although the breathing is easier in the new piece there isn't something more difficult hidden in there?

I have had a student learn two alternative pieces, and decide on the day which one to play !!

as long as you (and your teacher ?) are content with your choice, late decisions / changes can be ok.

Good luck.

Maggie

oh - you asked what the outcome was - she got 117 overall, and 25 for the piece in question. It was grade 3 piano.

QUOTE (chelsea @ Feb 25 2004, 11:40 AM)

Pieces tend to be the same level with different difficulties are you sure that although the breathing is easier in the new piece there isn't something more difficult hidden in there?

Hi chelsea,

It has some higher (more difficult to play) notes in it than the other piece, but I find them okay to play.

QUOTE (maggiemay @ Feb 25 2004, 01:56 PM)

I have had a student learn two alternative pieces, and decide on the day which one to play !!

LOL! That sounds like a good idea actually!

Thanks for your input. (I don't have a teacher).

I made a late change on my gr 5 piano.
I had learnt more than one piece in each section and on the day I changed my mind about one of them because of an awkward jump in the one I was planning to play.
It worked out ok.

when i was doing my grade 8, i changed pieces with very little time to go (also got myself another teacher on top of my original one as i was having so much trouble with the prelude and fugue i was doing)

i cant remember what mark i got in grade 8 i dont think it was anything special as i had never really been taught the musicality or understanding of any of the pieces (hence the teacher change) but i do remember feeling alot mroe comfortable with the change of piece and enjoyed it alot more

as to final outcome, although i cant remember what mark i got for grade 8, i went on to do a music degree, DipABRSM and the CT course, but also now working towards a postgraduate degree in porformance and LRSM so it can have been that bad!


good luck !!! and enjoy your new piece

Well, i remember changing my piece just 1 or two months ago before my Grade7 piano fews years back but then about 3 weeks b4 the exam, my teacher ask me to changed back again......what i personally feel is, have confidence over the one you intend to choose and don't panic in the exam just because you just learned the piece.

I dropped the new piece because i have no confidence over myself since it is too short notice. i did quite ok for the piece i prepared earlier though.

Had a rehearsal with my accompanist tonight. After trying out both pieces, I've decided to go back to my original choice, as it sounded better than I thought it would.

I may have to miss out a quaver during a particularly long passage, but overall I am happier with it.

I feel relieved that I've made a decision and am looking forward to doing some last-minute practicing this weekend! (My exam's on Tuesday).

QUOTE (happygirl @ Feb 27 2004, 08:32 AM)

I dropped the new piece because i have no confidence over myself since it is too short notice. i did quite ok for the piece i prepared earlier though.

I think you're right - having tried out both pieces with my accompanist today I've decided to stick with the piece I've prepared earlier.