Hi, just a few thoughts and questions.

I took on a pupil not long before Christmas, who came to me saying that she had done grade 2 about a year or so before. She left her last teacher because he was unreliable and didn't give her much notice of exams, (she has also done grade 2 theory). I started work on grade 3 theory book which she finds very confusing and difficult, which is not so much of a problem for me because I have great patience in explaining things.

My problem is she is taking her GCSE's and her ambition is to become a teacher, when she saw an adviser they told her that to be skilled in the piano is a great advatage when applying for teaching jobs in schools. Therefore, she has asked me when she will be doing her grade 3 practical exam. personally I do not think her playing is up to scratch, her last teacher always wrote lots of fingering and accidentals which has made her sight-reading appauling, and she struggles.

I have her working on The Masterwork Classics Book 3, does anyone know if this is above or below grade 3 ABRSM standard? And does anyone know of any books that are of the same standard as Grade 3, because i would be scared of putting a grade 3 book infront of her incase i got her hopes up, and then finding she was not up to scratch.

Sorry lots there, but i was also interested if anyone else has similar stories? and what you did?

thanks

You make some good points about your pupil.

My advice is don't - I repeat don't - agree to the exam until you have satisfied yourself that she is up to it. I find that students changing teachers really need a term or so to settle down, and for you to get to know exactly where they are, and where any gaps are.

Work with her on sight-reading. It will pay dividends all round. Find out if she can play scales confidently and with workable (ie not haphazard) fingering - she may not have kept them up since grade 2 and you can be building them up again along the way.

Regarding books, you might try one of the AB's collections; if you find one which is listed as grades 2-3 you won't be raising hopes ( a good point I think) that the exam is imminent. Give you chance to find out how she tackles these, and will include a few easier ones if you and she find you need them. I haven't got one in front of me, and suggest you have a good look round your local music shop - I think some of the short Romantic pieces collections may span two grades.You could also look through the syllabus and explore some of the alternative pieces for grade 3 which are published in separate books.

The following OUP (Oxford) books might be about right too:
Music through Time book 2
Piano Time Jazz book 2 and Piano Time Pieces book 2.

Just a few ideas. Hope it goes well

Maggie

I think MasterWork Classic Level 3 is around Grade 2 standard. But it is good for repotoire.

thank you both.

I didn't even think of having a look at the syllabus, silling me

I will definatley try to get a book that spans grade 2-3

cheers