I have a big problem with entry requirements if I decide I want to go to music college in 2 years time. I unfortunatly cant take alevel music at college as it isnt offered. My only other option is to pass grade 8 theory as an alternative. I ahve passed my grade 5 theory (only by 1 mark!) and havent exacly taken to theory. My question is. How difficult is grade 8 theory? Obviously its difficult - it has to be. But do you think its compleatly out of reach of someone like me who got a very bad result on there grade 5 theory. I have just over a year to revise and take the exam (I think you have to apply by october) Do you think its worth doing?

I think that if you're prepared to work really hard, you'll be able to do it. Get yourself a teacher and the theory workbooks, and give it a go- and perhaps revise all the grade 5 things first until you really understand them. I think it would be a great idea to take the exam and it would be useful to you, but you'd probably have to be prepared to work for it.

QUOTE (tooty_flute @ Apr 14 2005, 11:07 PM)

How difficult is grade 8 theory?

To my point of view, it's extremely easy

Well.....you have to develop a very positive attitude towards studying theory (like anything else!) You will have to work out realistically how much time you can give to studying it too. It's not quite the same format as grade 5 in that there's much more harmony. It's far less of 'right or wrong' answers.
It certainly COULD be done, but it depends on how organised you can be, your teacher and of course YOU! It's quite a lot of work and learning to take on.......but wouldn't it be great if you could show everyone that you can achieve it!!
Best of luck anyway.

Thanx for the positive comments. I forgot to point out that I was taught theory by my foreign flute teacher who doesnt really understand! If I do decide to take the exam I'm deffenatly going to get a proper teacher!! I think its soemthing worth doing, my only other option is to try to take the music alevel as an external candidate. WOuld this be possible?

Will they accept grade 8 practical musicianship as an alternative. I have enough of theory after my grade 6 but needed grade 8theory for something or other and the alternative was practical musicianship. I learned this on my own without a teacher and had no problems with it at all. Also I found it much more enjoyable and useful! Good luck with whatever you do.

If you seriously want to go to music college then you are going to need music A level. I'd recommend that you look into getting into a school / college that DOES offer A level music.

Liz

QUOTE (pianist_1210 @ Apr 15 2005, 06:31 AM)

QUOTE (tooty_flute @ Apr 14 2005, 11:07 PM) How difficult is grade 8 theory? To my point of view, it's extremely easy

No, it isn't.
Depends on what you know before you start.
From your marks (which you poasted in another thread) it seems you found it no easier than I did....

i think its challenging, im preparing for it right now.
argh...i'm the only person who hates general questions

Iso annoying that music colleges wont even look at you if you dont have music Alevel or grade 8 theory. Surely its much more important that you have a high playing standard and the practical side of things is good. Im not going to try to go to a differnt college because of the music alevel. I could, but I dont want to. I'm just going to have to spend alot of my time on the theory- which is ok I guess. Especially if I get a good teacher. I'm sure it will be ok.

would it be possible to teach yourself Alevel music? there was a girl who wanted to learn astronomy at my school so she taught herself and the school entered her for the exam. maybe that would be a possibility, you would have loads of resources on the web - us, other websites and then there are books that you can buy!

good luck whatever you do!

Thanx. I have been thinking about taking the alevel as an external candidate (I'm doing my physics alevel outside college because I didnt have the entry requirements) So it could be possible. But I would have to organise it myself, not like with my physics where its done through ICS. It oculd be done I'l make some enquiries! It would crtainly be alot better than me trying to do my grade 8 theory

I was unable to do AS level Music last year in school (Lower 6th) and I wanted to audition for Music college so I took Grade 8 theory instead. In my opinion it is not very difficult if you are musical and prepared to apply yourself. However, when I went for my music college auditions (Royal Academy and Guildhall, and a friend also auditioned at Royal College) they didn't care whether I was doing A level music or had done the theory. Nobody even asked about it, and if they do you have a perfectly acceptable excuse. The Royal Academy offered me a scholarship on the spot without even looking at my qualifications. All the music colleges care about is how well you can play, they may say differently in their prospectus but the real truth is performing ability is the only thing they care about.

Which has more kudos, A level music or grade 8 theory. If I wanted to do one, which one would I be better advised to do?

Jane

wow thats amazing 'hgirl' well done for getting your scholarship!! It is possible to get in with grade 8 theory (or even nothing if you're taking a risk) I spoke to a man at the admisisons desk - and I expect they have to say that (although he did seem rahter snooty and adimant that I wouldnt stand a chance if I didnt have the alevel) Anyway thats really good to hear. I just hope it will be the same for me!