My son who just finished his 7th grade exams has been depressed and disappointed
since he got his 7th grade results.. he failed. He just managed 95 marks. He is a very confident key board player and most of the lessons were self taught. The basic problem
in India or Bangalore -the place were we stay is that we have just got one qualifed piano tutor who stays at the the other end of the city.. Far..far..of

I would strongly suggest that students who are keen to finish grades and who are on the border line of pass marks should be given an opportunity to play a buffer piece of music so that the examiners can judge them based on this and pass them through. This would be greatly appreciated by the students and would encourage them to do their 8th grade exams better.

Jacob Thomas
Bangalore

QUOTE (Jacob Thomas @ May 20 2005, 06:56 AM)

I would strongly suggest that students who are keen to finish grades and who are on the border line of pass marks should be given an opportunity to play a buffer piece of music so that the examiners can judge them based on this and pass them through.

Play a piece easier than the required standard to prove that you've reached the required standard? A novel idea! I know that playing the notes is just one part, but surely part of the idea of a graded system is to prove you've reached a given technical standard.

Other opinions welcome.

I'm sorry your son is disappointed Jacob.

This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't think 95 is quite borderline. 99 is borderline. And no, I wouldn't see it as appropriate either to produce an extra piece - the syllabus is there to set the standard.

It isn't easy to prepare for the higher grades without a teacher and I sympathise on this point. But you should encourage him to look at the feedback on the exam report and use it to his advantage. If it's not possible to have some lessons, you might like to consider performance assessment for your son next time round.

As a teacher I would not be happy about moving a pupil straight on to grade8 work with only a borderline pass of 100 or 101 at grade 7 anyway.

Maggie

This may not be the answer you are looking for, but this is why I always believe it is better to enter an exam you could get a merit or distinction for, not scrape a pass. Had he already done grade 6? That said, he may have been entered for grade 7 too soon, and was not ready.

I am a little sceptical of your buffer piece idea. It may defeat the purpose of the exam looking for a specific standard of playing. And the lists usually get progressively harder, ie, list C is harder than list A for the same exam.

QUOTE (Jacob Thomas @ May 20 2005, 06:56 AM)

I would strongly suggest that students who are keen to finish grades and who are on the border line of pass marks should be given an opportunity to play a buffer piece of music so that the examiners can judge them based on this and pass them through. This would be greatly appreciated by the students and would encourage them to do their 8th grade exams better.

What would be the point of that? Exams are marked to a certain standard, if you reach that standard you pass, if you don't you fail. Everyone has to choose pieces from the current syllabus for that particular grade. If you can't play the set pieces then you haven't reached the required standard. I agree with Maggie. 95 is not a borderline pass. Perhaps you should consider making the effort to get lessons. I know students who travel over 100 miles for music lessons.

QUOTE (noodle @ May 20 2005, 11:22 AM)

I know students who travel over 100 miles for music lessons.

That's dedication for you.

Yes. Every Saturday morning they go, one of them is taken by his dad on a motorbike. If someone wants to learn an instrument its worth doing it properly. I don't think its necessary for these particular students to travel quite as far. Some local teachers are just as good, but its simple necessity to be taught by a teacher. I'm not sure what musical experience the student in question has but for advanced grades I think lessons are essential.

Unfortunately travelling 100 miles in this country and travelling 100 miles in India are two completely different things. I really sympathise. There are many, many talented children desperate to learn in countries like India - and good teachers and resources are hardly anywhere to be found.

That is a matter of opinion I think... depends on personal strengths and preferences.

Indeed.