Hi, i think this topic might have been discussed before but i can't seem to find it after doing a search so i'll post again! I have students who are around 7-8 years old doing grade 2 pieces like the Schubert in list B and even in grade 1 Giga, (LH octaves)- they can't stretch their hands to reach the octave leaps so i just get them to play the lowest note instead. Is this OK? I hope the examiners won't penalize? Should i write to ABRSM to enquire? They play the pieces really well and i think it would be a waste if they lost marks over something they have no control over. Thanks for any help.

In previous years on some pieces with large stretches there have been notes on the printed copy about young pianists omitting notes where they couldn't stretch them. I'm sure examiners will be sympathetic to the problem provided the harmonic structure is not affected, or the musical interpretation of the piece.

I try to avoid any pieces with my pupils that they can't stretch but, if you are working with an advanced junior pupil of 7-8 years of age, that can be hard.

If you're still not sure, then I'd contact ABRSM for clarification. At least you'll have an "official" view then.

From the Exam Regulations:

QUOTE

Discretion in the use of the pedals will be taken into account, although candidates in the lower Grades who cannot reach the pedals easily will not be penalized. Similarly, candidates whose hands are too small to play the music as written will not be penalized for 'spreading' chords or omitting occasional notes at wide stretches provided the result is musically satisfactory.

So they should be okay.

On the Grade 1 Gigaa piece it does say in the footnotes below that pupils who are unable to stretch an octave may omit the bottom note (and also leave out the ornaments).

QUOTE (Appassionata @ Feb 21 2005, 01:18 PM)

On the Grade 1 Gigaa piece it does say in the footnotes below that pupils who are unable to stretch an octave may omit the bottom note

In the footnotes to A1: Giga it says 'players with small hands may omit the top LH note in bb. 1 and 6'. I tend to avoid pieces which have sections which the hands are clearly not large enough to reach. Instead of Schubert B2, what about the alternatives? B4, B5 and B6 are all well within the reach of even the smallest hands.

Thanks everyone, silly me didn't read the footnotes thoroughly. Thanks. yes grade 2 B5 is rather easy too, but the Schubert seems more impressive for the more talented players!