[FONT=Impact][SIZE=1][COLOR=green]I spend loads of time on music and instruments. I am only a grade 8 in piano, 4 in flute, 4 in violin, 6 in clarinet and 3 in viola. Then I come on here and i see all of u wiv lk 10 million diplomas and a fistful of grades. Im 14 and wuld lk 2 no.............HOW DO I GET 2 BE AS GD AS U LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well not everyone has loads of grades and certainly not everyone has a diploma so I wouldn't feel too bad especially as you play so many different instruments and have done lots of grades already. I'm not being nasty or anything but you should be grateful for what you've got and feel lucky that you are able to play not only one instrument but five! Also when you say you are 'only' grade 8 in piano well thats the highest grade there is unless you take a diploma in it so I wouldn't worry too much. In answer to your question though, practise makes perfect and the more you play an instrument the better you will get at it (although you sound really good anyway!)

I felt compelled to reply. I see from your message you play 5 instruments, all of which are played at intermediate level. You don’t say how long you have been playing, but what you have achieved so far is utterly fantastic.

I play ONE instrument. I have been playing for 17 months and recently achieved grade 3. I too look on this board and see many other students who are much further up the grade scale. I too could also aspire to yourself who plays 5 instruments to my 1, and is already further up the grade scale to me.

So in answer to your question, you are as good as most, and are better than some.

No matter what level we are at we want to be better, just don’t lose focus and enjoy your music.

only! im on grade 8 in piano and thats it! i do guitar but not much. i dont get how you have the time to practice so many instruments if ur 14 like me! i just do piano and that takes enuf time.[FONT=Impact][COLOR=orange]

QUOTE (fairfieldflautist @ May 8 2005, 06:27 PM)

[FONT=Impact][SIZE=1][COLOR=green]I spend loads of time on music and instruments. I am only a grade 8 in piano, 4 in flute, 4 in violin, 6 in clarinet and 3 in viola. Then I come on here and i see all of u wiv lk 10 million diplomas and a fistful of grades. Im 14 and wuld lk 2 no.............HOW DO I GET 2 BE AS GD AS U LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you mean, "....only a grade 8......." ?

Most 14 year old musicians would kill for a list of abilities like yours. I have been a piano teacher for over 30 years and know that 14 year old grade 8's are rare; never mind 14 year old's who also play the flute, violin, clarinet and viola.

Fairfieldflautist, you are brilliant. Most kids reading your post are going, "Wow".

Hang on a second - you said you're only 14!!!!!!! At your age I was only around Grade 5 standard piano and maybe Grade 3 or 4 cello. Give yourself a break! You have done incredibly well to get as far as you have done by the age of 14.

(And by the way, I call five grades all on different instruments a "fistful of Grades".)

Have you taken other people's ages into account?

Mrs M

I can't help feeling a little insulted that you rate all your achievements at such a young age as nothing at all. I have been learning piano the same number of years you have been alive, and am not at grade 8 standard yet. And as for all the people with 'millions of diplomas', I expect most of them are 10/20 years older than you, if not more so you have got plenty of time to improve your standard of playing on all your instruments. Some people would give anything to play what you play at your age. Be proud of your achievements!! If you've got this far in 14 years, think how well you will play everything in another 14 years!!

QUOTE (SteveHopwood @ May 10 2005, 10:30 PM)

Fairfieldflautist, you are brilliant. Most kids reading your post are going, "Wow".

And some of the adults too...

Yes, you have achieved so much! I am 15, have been playing the flute for 7 years and am working towards Grade 8. I did used to play the keyboard and piano but had to give them up due to school work. But, yes, like other people have said, I am going WOW!

I actually feel quite annoyed by the fact that you say you are "only" grade 8, and at least intermediate level on your other instruments. You make it seem as though people with a lower grade are just scum; well that's how I felt reading your post anyway, which made me feel very insulted. Sorry to be so harsh, but I don't think that you should say things like that about your abilities. If you are as good as you are but still say that you aren't, then I think you need to talk to someone about your confidence. I'm 14 myself and doing grade 6/7 clarinet, so I wouldn't say you are bad. Far from that in fact. As uberzoldat says, most people on here who have diplomas are at least 10 years older.

Music is meant to be a pleasure, NOT a competition in how good you are!

Really... I don't know what you are worrying about! As many people have said you are only 14 and have got Grade 8. When I was 14 I was just doing my Grade 7 on my recorder and Grade 4 Piano. I am now at university and I am Grade 8 recorder and Grade 7 Piano, and there are many people here who have less than me, so please don't worry!

QUOTE

I actually feel quite annoyed by the fact that you say you are "only" grade 8, and at least intermediate level on your other instruments. You make it seem as though people with a lower grade are just scum; well that's how I felt reading your post anyway, which made me feel very insulted. Sorry to be so harsh, but I don't think that you should say things like that about your abilities. If you are as good as you are but still say that you aren't, then I think you need to talk to someone about your confidence. I'm 14 myself and doing grade 6/7 clarinet, so I wouldn't say you are bad. Far from that in fact. As uberzoldat says, most people on here who have diplomas are at least 10 years older. Music is meant to be a pleasure, NOT a competition in how good you are!

I totally agree with you, you should enjoy music and be thankful that you can play an instrument, not think of it as a competition - whatever grade/level you are.

Yes, also I know of musicians who have hardly taken a Grade exam, but are amazing as musicans. James Galway (famous flute player), never did any Grade exams and look where he is now. Music is for enjoyment, and not a race, as people have said.

how can you say "ONLY!!!" grade 8 at 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats lyk amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm 14 and only grade 5!!! lol!! So what r u on bout!!!!

QUOTE (purple dolphin @ May 11 2005, 04:32 PM)

I actually feel quite annoyed by the fact that you say you are "only" grade 8, and at least intermediate level on your other instruments. You make it seem as though people with a lower grade are just scum; well that's how I felt reading your post anyway, which made me feel very insulted.

That's not what fairfieldflautist meant, purple dolphin. She was just suffering a confidence crisis. She never meant to insult anybody.

blimey thats quite insulting saying that