My son and his teacher have just decided that he should take his grade 7 violin next term, before he goes on to secondary school and inevitably has less time and more pressures than at his cosy state primary.

I've bought the music and the CD and we've started listening but I wondered if anyone had yet formed any views about the new syllabus, eg which pieces would best suit a young player? I know he should pick the pieces he likes best but his teacher wants him to have decided by next Tuesday, when he has his last lesson before the Easter hols, so some pointers would be useful. We have already ruled out the Vivaldi A minor 1st movement in list A because he played that years ago (he is Suzuki-taught) and is bored with it. I also think the Massenet in list B is unsuitable, because of his lack of maturity. Advice and suggestions would be most welcome!

Maybe...

List A: Mozart

List B: Moszkowski Spanish Dance

List C: Bartok (except that means both B and C pieces are dances) or maybe Morley Reverie?

Have fun!

Thank you very much for such a prompt response. You know what, your suggestions are pretty much in line with what we've been thinking to date: we've been wavering between the Moszkowski and the Schubert in list B and the Bartok and the Korngold in C. Is the Bartok a dance?

I do think the Bartok is a dance.

Would your son find the Schubert and the Mozart a little bit similar? If I had to pick one of the two, it would definitely be the Mozart piece!

If your son enjoys the Korngold, that sounds like a good choice too...I think it would be between Morley, Korngold, and Bartok.

If your son has his choices down to two or three, his teacher will probably sort out the final choice. I know that my son's G. 8 choice of Stravinsky really sparked a major Stravinsky exploration...hope your son finds some pieces he really enjoys too.

Thanks very much for this, you've helped clarify my thinking already. It's very hard to choose 3 pieces in a week, especially as the ones that initially appeal might not last the course whereas others might grow on you over time.

Although it very much depends on the indivdual, I'd be tempted to opt for A Soldier's Resolution for list A, given the time scale being talked about. Getting under the skin of a Mozart movement is something I'd prefer not to rush, and would maybe keep that piece for after the exam.

Thanks for your input, owainsutton.

My son has now put the cat amongst the pigeons by insisting he wants to play Massanet's Meditation from List B. He's 10, and just found his stubborn bones (practising for being a teenager!) I had thought this was too mature (and hackneyed?) but I'd be grateful for your views. He's now saying he doesn't like Spanish Dance.

I suppose we hear that piece as suitable for an older player, but to a 10-year-old's ears it's just an attractive violin tune! If he's picked the piece out, then I'd go with it, because you'll need to use that enthusiasm to get him fully prepared in time for the summer.

Trouble is, it's not hackneyed for a 10 year old, who is just discovering it!

Actually I remember now it did take Viohazard a couple of months to work up his first solid piece of Mozart (with his teacher dancing up and down saying "Don't just play along half asleep, convince me why you should play each and every note THAT way and no other!"

I have heard some awful renditions of Meditation and not from 10yr olds. If he likes it, has decent intonation and vibrato let him go for it.

OK, so it's been decided! I wanted to let those of you who have taken the trouble to give your suggestions know what my son has come up with...

List 1: Mozart
List 2: Massenet
List 3: Bartok

His teacher thinks the examiner will be massively surprised when a 10-year-old walks in and presents the first 2! My son has his work cut out over the next 3 months. Nevertheless, she's impressed with his choices and believes he can do the growing-up required through playing the pieces, that he hasn't done already.

Exciting times ahead! (And, yes, we heard today that he has passed his grade 5 theory!) It's going to be another great experience that will develop his playing and musical maturity in leaps and bounds, which is what grade exams are all about, in my opinion.

Thanks for your input. Sara

The examiner will mark what s/he hears and it doesn't make much difference which pieces your son chooses, what matters is how he plays them. Check out Your Music Exams for the mark scheme, that will help.

Is your teacher experienced at the exam system? I think you said on another thread she didn't normally do them?

Yes, she is experienced even though most of her pupils only take 2 or 3 of the grades. I believe she's actually an examiner herself, of the higher grades. You will have seen in another thread that she doesn't teach aural but, thinking about it, I suspect that is because she doesn't play piano.

This is odd because all examiners (for AB anyway) have to be pianists of Gd 8+ level...anyway, good luck!

Examiners examine all grades, high and low, and also need to be gd8+ on piano - they play the aural tests for the candidates too. (I have yet to meet an examiner who isn't passionate about aural training for young instrumentalists.)
He/she will mark the pieces based on what they hear on the day, regardless of age or choice, although by the higher grades it's nice to try and present a balanced programme.

Hello all who helped my son and me to choose his pieces for his ABRSM Gr 7 violin exam! I thought you might be interested to hear how he got on...

Mozart Sonata in G 1st movt: 28
Massenet Mediation from Thais: 28
Bartok Bagpipers: 27
(He got 137 overall)

He ended up loving the Mozart and Massenet equally, and didn't get bored with any of them, so I figure they turned out to be good choices, even for a 10-year-old. Thanks very much for your input.

Incidentally, I have got to the bottom of the issue of whether his teacher can be an ABRSM examiner despite the fact she doesn't play the piano: she does the diploma exams only!

Thanks again and all the best. I expect I'll be back on here again when DS does his grade 8, but I think we'll leave that for a while!

Congratulations to your son and hope he enjoys the next steps on his musical journey. That's a fantastic result.

Congratulations - your son and his teacher must be really pleased too.

Yes, everyone's delighted. Thanks very much.