Is anyone taking a Viola exam this session? Not me - I'm just doing a bit of work on studies and slowly looking at Grade 5 pieces.

I'm not doing one this term either, I need to get my grade 5 theory before I can go any further, I'm doing that in the summer as I'm in Spain when the one in March is on. I'll probably do my grade 6 in November then.

Hvae you got any idea what pieces you're going to do for your grade 5?

QUOTE (isabelsmells @ Feb 12 2005, 05:48 PM)

Hvae you got any idea what pieces you're going to do for your grade 5?

I definitely want to play Ballet Music from 'Rosamunde' (Schubert) as I love it - used to play it in orchestra. Haven't looked at any of the other pieces yet though, as I'm don't feel ready to start working towards Grade 5 yet. Don't think I'll be taking the exam for at least a year. I'm going to take my time and enjoy the journey!

Oh I'm learning Ballet Music as well! I've learned the Tambourin and I'm working my way through a mountain of G5 scales!

Don't talk to me about the scales! In the exam I only just passed them. Grade 6 scales are treating me well though, theres not really that many to learn.

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Grade 6 scales are treating me well though, theres not really that many to learn.

Oh good, there is light at the end of the tunnel then! I have to learn all the grade 5 scales for an audition in June I'm finding the three octave scales and f major in second position very hard. Have you got any tips for learning them (apart from practice!)

QUOTE (Rainbow @ Feb 21 2005, 07:33 PM)

QUOTE Grade 6 scales are treating me well though, theres not really that many to learn. Oh good, there is light at the end of the tunnel then! I have to learn all the grade 5 scales for an audition in June I'm finding the three octave scales and f major in second position very hard. Have you got any tips for learning them (apart from practice!)

In second position? Sounds nasty.

Very nasty! I've got a lesson tomorrow (if my teacher can get to school through the snow) and I'm having so many intonation problems it's unbelievable since my intonation is normally fairly reliable.

Ooh, whats your audition for?

With three octaves what fingering are you doing? I've been doing first position for the first octave and a bit, then going up to 3rd on the G on the D string, then 3rd till the F on the A string, then first finger on the G, then back down using that.

Then F major in the second position, all I can say for that is make sure you remember that on hte C and G strings the fourth finger is high, and then on the D and A string sthe fourth finger is low.

Make sure you get the three octave scales down pat, as you have a lot of them in grades 6, 7 and 8.

do you HAVE to do F in 2nd position, or is it just the most logical fingering? it's just that I don't remember ever having to do scales in 2nd position on the violin.... maybe it's because of the wider fingerings??

Its the most logical fingering, you don't have to change positions at all to play it. Think of it like playing C major 2 octaves on the violin.

Hi,

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Ooh, whats your audition for?

The senior orchestra at my music centre!

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With three octaves what fingering are you doing?

In first position for the first octave, then I go into third position on the C on the G string then shift into 5th position for the F on the A string and stretch my 4th finger for the high C. It's the fingering my teacher suggested.

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do you HAVE to do F in 2nd position, or is it just the most logical fingering?

No, but my teacher thinks it will be easier for when I try to learn F minor. Apparently it's quite hard to shift position when playing F minor.

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Make sure you get the three octave scales down pat, as you have a lot of them in grades 6, 7 and 8.

Oh dear, oh well I'm not taking the g5 exam till I'm in y11 - probably next March. This seems like a long time but I guess it's better to wait and to (hopefully) get a good mark.

I tried 'Landscape With Rumba' in my lesson today and I really liked it.

Thanks for the help isabelsmells and sarah-flute.

Oooh I loved 'Landscape with Rumba,' I played it for my grade 5 and the examiner gave me 29/30!

I did grade 5 last July landscape with rumba was excellent!

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In first position for the first octave, then I go into third position on the C on the G string then shift into 5th position for the F on the A string and stretch my 4th finger for the high C.

That's the fingering I did as well it seemed to work for me!
jess

Congratulations Isabel, 29/30 wow!

I really like Landscape with Rumba, it's definitely one of the most unusual pieces I've ever played!

QUOTE (isabelsmells @ Feb 22 2005, 06:56 PM)

Its the most logical fingering, you don't have to change positions at all to play it. Think of it like playing C major 2 octaves on the violin.

Yes, I realise that's the equivalent... but I would play that in 3rd position. Makes sense with the minor thing if it means that the position changing is easier. Need to try it out on my fiddle really to get my head round it, then I'd probably be able to see the whys better!

Yes, I did try playing the scale starting off in first position and shifting to third position for the second octave but my teacher said that it would be better to play it in second position.

Playing the arpeggio in 2nd sounds better as well.

Does it???? I'm playing it in first position for the first octave then shifting to third for the second octave. I don't think I could cope with playing it in second position - I'm having enough trouble with the C major arpeggio when it goes into something like erm 6th position!

I just find it easier to play the arpeggio in 2nd. I know what you mean about the C major arpeggio, took me ages to get it, but I've got it now.

Wow isabelsmells! Your'e doing grade 8 viola! How long has it taken you to get there??!