I hope I'm not alone, grade 8 violin

I remember my grade 8. It was in December 2010 and I got merit. It was with TG.

Hope you do really well!

Thank you! I actually recorded my pieces last night, if anyone would be kind enough to look... They're not perfect yet but hopefully they will be on the 26th (exam day )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQYctl1E6X0...;feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQrbGydiD3A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKZCU8snpek&feature=plcp

Wow! You are really good! Something for me to aspire to. I have my 5th lesson next week. I doubt I'll ever sound that good. Good luck in your exam!

Thank you so much It's so exciting learning a new instrument, I guess you play the flute too judging by your username. My friend's teaching me now. It's really hard but fun

You're very well prepared, well done

You sound very good, confident playing too, I have no idea if this is grade 8 standard I cannot bring myself to enter even one exam, too stressful , although I do work through the ABRSM books and pieces with my teacher. I think my shaking bow,legs, teeth, everything would wreck any chance of passing!

I wish you all the very best for your exam, hope you will tell us all if you pass.


I am curious on a couple of points:

Did you just use normal microphone and webcam or have you got a decent Mic?

What is your violin, is it old/new have you had it a long time or did you upgrade it to do grade 8?

My husband is watching football and just commented that the Vivaldi piece sounded good

Thank you for watching them, it's really helpful I get nervous too, messed up loads of concerts etc. and even failed my re audition to an orchestra last year due to nerves... :/ Luckily I managed to overcome nerves and get distinctions in grades 6 and 7, but this time it's a different exam room I'm less comfortable with...

To answer your questions:

I just record on my iPod video camera, so normal microphone.

My violin is an 1888 German violin. I've had it for about ten months, and yes, I did upgrade it. After my grade 7 my teacher said I needed one with a fuller sound (I was very fortunate to have an old English violin in the family that lasted me all the grades until now). I've also recently upgraded my strings and bow to make sure I can make the best sound I can.

Thanks again for the support and do check back here when I post after the exam

What date is the exam? You'll do brilliantly!

Thank you!!! 26th (Tuesday) Pretty confident now because I got 135 in my mock exam (although nerves always alter my playing a bit... )

An update say the exam is TODAY at 14.05

So far I'm feeling fairly confident with everything, but I'm worried about shaking in my pieces, because I usually do when I get nervous :/ And there's this horrible double stopped passage in my Vivaldi... But yeah, scales are pretty good, I can sight read and I'm reasonable at aural!

Frankly If I can get a merit at grade 8 then anyone can pass it easily. Must admit when I learned that Vivaldi, not for my exam, the double stop bit took me ages to master however I finally got it and now it seems rather easy to play.....

Here's the after-exam reflection if anyone's interested

Dancla Resignation - I was absolutely shaking like crazy which affected the clarity of some notes and passages but it held together, with some dynamics and I felt I really put energy into the dramatic bits, although to be honest I've played it much better.

Vivaldi Spring Danza Pastorale - The rhythm and dynamics were pretty much there, but some slips in tuning and that annoying double stop passage almost got the better of me but I think it was under control. I can't actually remember playing some of it so it must have flowed reasonably!

Remembrances from Schindler's List - I felt this was best, I got the mood (although it could have been slightly more nostalgic) and there were no major slips at all apart from the odd run up and I feel I rushed the cadenza slightly, but the loud bits were confident with lots of vibrato. I feel my left hand is very strong and I think I conveyed that effectively. Hoping for a high mark for this one.

Scales - I got off fairly lightly, from what I can remember it started with C major separate bows, Ab slurred and some other not too scary ones. I pulled off everything with a only the odd tuning lapse, the first time I haven't actually slipped in any scales! The double stop of G harmonic minor in octaves was pretty out of tune and the thirds could have been better but I was happy with the sixths.

Sight reading - Looked at it and was pretty pleased. Three flats, 3/4, lots of obvious articulation which I pulled off. I messed up the odd double stop chord and the last note (triple stopped chord with fourth finger on the E string) failed pretty badly, but all in all I was pleased with the attempt.

Aural - Slightly annoyed, I was played a memory singing that was totally out of my range (too low) and therefore made a total mess of it (I know I could have done it an octave up but in the heat of the moment it didn't occur to me). But, I'm almost certain I got the modulations, cadence and chords and I pulled off most of the sight singing with just the last few notes out of tune, and gave some good answers for test D.

Overall I think I may be on high-ish merit, but a miracle could happen Good luck to everyone else with exams!!

I'm not taking Grade 8, but I've been reading this thread with interest-sounds like it went well

Well done! I hope you don't have to wait ages for the results xxx
What is the next steps for someone who has done grade 8?

LearnerFlute

Learn lots of lovely new pieces and eventually do a diploma. Maybe even join a high end amateur orchestra.

Yeah, and I'm hoping to try some ultra challenging pieces (eg Zigeunerweisen ), some other things like Bach A minor (a good step up) and some Kreutzer studies, and I'm soloist in Vivaldi Spring in a few months

Not to put a dampener on things but i'm in a conservatoire and people don't play Zigeunerweisen + similar till 3rd or final year, ie. many years after they did their grade 8. No harm in trying it though! Kreutzer studies always a good idea and lots of Sevcik! 70-80% of my practise routine is scales, exercises and sevcik/kreutzer
Well done on your exam it sounds like youve done very well and good luck for the Vivaldi

Thank you About zigeunerweisen, a lot of people say that but it'll be fun to try even if I'm not learning it seriously, I know it's a HUGE step up from grade 8, like hypothetical grade 12. There's no way I'd perform it!!! Any ideas of challenging/but not too crazy post grade 8 repertoire?

Yeah no harm in having a go I'd DEFINITELY say start working your way through the Bach sonatas and partitas! One of the most useful things you can have as a violinist. And some Beethoven sonatas... get some concertos in! Mozart, Bruch, Barber, anything else you can think of I'd just say start getting the key repertoire under your belt

concertos - bruch, mendelssohn, mozart, kabalevsky, bach double
bach sonatas and partitas
beethoven sonatas and romances
kreisler - zigeuner capriccio

I've only just caught up with this thread, violin123, but I loved listening to your pieces! Your violin has a very nice sound, and the E string is much nicer than on many violins I've heard. Also very impressed with the tone and your vibrato.

Good luck for the results!

Thanks everyone, I've started a Bach sonata (G minor) but it's really hard, can only play the presto... But that's what practice's for

And thank so so much BerkshireMum. That really made my day I just hope my results come out ok, just fed up of waiting... ooh yes, I love my violin. I'm really lucky to have it

Any sign of your results yet? I've been away from a computer for a week or so, but I've just come back and watched your videos, and I'm excited to hear what the examiner thought! I have to say your pieces are really well-prepared. You were very fluent and your playing looks confident and mature. Good stuff!

No it was the 26th so hopefully tomorrow. I know it could be any time so getting really scared. Thank you so much, I think that in the exam they weren't quite this standard but hopefully I've done well. I'll post the results when they come

Well.. it's come through... FINALLY...

Good news: I can now say I passed my grade 8 at the age of 14
Bad news: I'm disappointed with the result..

I got 120/150 = low merit

I'll admit it didn't go as well as expected, and pieces weren't as good as the ones I put on youtube.

I'll show my reaction to each mark with a smily...

Vivaldi - 22
Dancla - 26
Williams - 23

Scales - 15
SR - 18
Aural - 16 (actually can't believe I got 16 for grade 8 aural !!! )

but overall, I'm really diappointed. I got 133 at grade 7 and 131 at grade 6. The examiner was really scathing about my tone... but... atl east I've passed (with merit) and I'm proud. Good luck yo any still to come.

Well done!..the difference between a low merit (or even a pass) and a distinction isn't huge. Onwards and upwards. Be proud and work on that which needs work. You don't have to do it again.

Well done, that's a mark to be very proud of, onwards and upwards!

Well done! Grade 8 is a tough one, you did really well!!

I know you're disappointed with the mark but you did really well and at age 14 too! Your playing is only going to keep on improving from where you are now. Remember it is only a snapshot of how it went on the day. I passed my grade 8 violin with 124 when I was 13 and I was disappointed too but in the grand scheme of things it made no difference to my life! The examiners' comments were very harsh! Interestingly a friend of mine took her grade 8 viola at the same centre on the same day with the same examiner and she got a pass (comments were even more scathing). Her parents had entered her at another centre and she took the exam two weeks later in front of a different examiner, performed better on the day, the examiner was less scathing and she came out with a distinction!

As for the comments about your tone - you can now have a discussion with your teacher about this and decide whether it was a case of being nervous on the day and the quality going to pot or whether there is an underlying issue to be addressed. That said, violinists are always working on improving their tone so some focussed work on this won't do any harm in any case!

Once again, well done! A great achievement.

Thank you everyone for the interest and lovely comments the current plan is to retake (possibly in December) but changing list A (to the Haydn) and list C. Anyone have any ideas apart from the Williams for list C? I don't think I'd brave the Kreutzer...

I love the Kodaly! I've just listened to the Hindemith and like the sound of that too.

Without wishing at all to be nosy, I wondered why you want to retake? You've done really well! I considered (briefly!) retaking it myself last year, mainly to see if I could do it without collapsing with stress and stagefright.

I just feel I'd really like to try and get a distinction, because I know I could do it if I didn't get nervous and now I know I can cope with aural/SR

I would try the Kodaly. I have performed it a few times including for my TG grade 8. I think it is great and requires lots of expression but is not technically challenging.

If it makes you feel better to get a better mark then certainly go for it, but please don't feel like you have to You got a mark to be very proud of and I do hope you are
I was the same as you, I think I got 128 and was absolutely gutted as I had aimed for a distinction. I didn't re-take, and now i'm in music college and can honestly say nobody even thinks about or ever mentions grade 8, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest what I got. Grade 8 isn't even thought about It may be more beneficial just to put it behind you and onwards and upwards with new repertoire and stuff
Whatever makes you happiest!

I agree with Hubicka, it isn't necessary and no-one will ever think about it! What you have done already is a super achievement!
I don't know if it's relevant to you, but my decision not to retake was based on considering the marksheet. Most it was pretty ok, and I got a good merit overall - the bits I lost marks on were poor rhythm in the scales and a particular technical issue (double stops!!) in one of the pieces. I reckoned that it meant that lots of other important aspects were fine, (and I could have improved those bits if I wasn't really really terrified )
However - only you and your teacher know how a retake will benefit you - best of luck with whatever you end up doing

My grade 8 violin was similar - I did it in March and went in so desperate to get a distinction and therefore so incredibly nervous that I couldn't stop my bow arm shaking, hence getting marked down a bit. I ended up with 124 (including a very unfair 15 for scales which were nowhere near that bad) but I'm retaking. Well done though, at 14 that's brilliant!

I know it's quite late to be replying, but I'm new to this site.

Anyways. I'm no expert or anything, but I'd say you probably did quite well on your exam. Your confidence and enthusiasm are amazing. I'm not sure how good that kind of mark is, since my exams were out of 100.

However, I think your right arm could use a bit of work. I only watched a bit of one, so maybe this doesn't always apply - maybe you were unusually nervous - but I'd like to point out that your arm was pulling the bow at an odd angle - inwards. Try to keep the bow consistently straight - your bow and the string should make a cross. The bow should be moved by mostly you lower arm and your wrist, not your shoulder. Your elbow probably shouldn't always be bent like that - it looks kind of awkward. You can practice on open strings just watching your arm straighten and bend as you pull the bow along, and probably some wrist movement too.

I'm rambling. I didn't want to sound like such a know-it-all (really, I'm not), but I would think that since you posted those videos, you would want some critism.

I am not a violinist so am in no position to make specific technical recommendations but I think that the marks for the pieces seemed fair. Not to say that you aren't an excellent violinist for your age and you have great poise but I would expect that you should really be able to grab an audience for a grade 8 distinction. Its hard to comment on tone when you dont know how bad the recording is but if he/she the examiner really didnt like it it probably does need work.

Its difficult to know how much to say here but I personally thought from the video that the Williams was not a great choice for you. The intonation problems detracted from any potential emotional impact of the piece and the emotions of it anyway are a very big ask at your age. It didnt really connect at all with me I am afraid. I happened to hear that played recently locally at a showcase Suzuki concert (so a highly contested by video audition type concert) and it was very, very moving. I think you will do that one much better in a couple of years time.

I would talk to your teacher about the relative merits of retake versus specific technique work for short term goals or whether you can combine those two successfully. And clearly there is a difference in perception about the scales that needs some attention too.

It's a very good result at your age and you should be very proud as it is obvious that you put a lot of work in and are a dedicated girl. Well done and good luck. I am sorry that you feel a bit deflated but am sure you will bounce back and develop from the experience.

Well done for passing Grade 8. That is a tremendous acheivement at 14!

I know how you feel though. I passed my grade 4 flute and felt sad for ages that I hadn't done better. I was also talking about retaking but my teacher said a pass is a pass and just trying again for a higher mark would just hold me back. He wanted to move me on a bit. I wasn't sure at first but even though I struggle with the new pieces I no longer feel the need to retake. Why don't you give it a few months and see if you still want to retake. Maybe your teacher will want to move you on. I think the examiner was harsh to say your tone is bad. You sounded amazing in the links you posted.

LearnerFlute xx

Well done with your merit.
Is there any huge rush to retake for a higher mark? It might be worth thinking about whether the extra term really would earn you the extra 10 marks and what exactly you would need to improve in order to achieve this. As previous posters have said, both your bowing arm and intonation need significant attention and perhaps taking some time to work on your technique and explore the huge repertoire the violin has to offer may help to correct these plus help to to gain the more mature tone that these pieces and grade 8 requires.

I'm not a violinist, so I don't know these pieces well, and I've never taken a string exam, but I have to say the marks for the pieces seem fair to me. I think at this stage it's more important for you to explore more pieces and work on tone and intonation than to retake. You might get the 10 points, but what's that worth if you haven't developed as a violinist? If I were you, I would forget about the exam, and if a year or two down the road you still want a better mark so you can have "grade 8 distinction" on paper you can retake. If you focus on your technical issues, I would expect you'll be able to get distinction in your sleep by then

(that being said, of the pieces I know in the C list, definitely the Debussy. I don't see why anyone in their right mind would play Kreutzer - technically a pain and musically uninteresting )

I've chosen the Kodaly - it's absolutely gorgeous!

Along with that I've picked the Vivaldi and the Bruch.. Absolutely smitten with my choices at the moment which has never been the case. There's always been one list of pieces I've not liked and ended up loathing the piece. Thankfully, my luck couldn't have come at a better time at grade 8!

What is everyone else playing?

Congratulations Violin123! I get your decision to re-sit, but have you thought about just getting on with your ABRSMDip/ATCL? I think that qualification would top a grade 8 and could possibly be more of an enjoyable experience with not having aural etc..