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Hi
I've been playing flute for 3 months now, and am already being entered for my grade 3 exam, which i am totally happy about! However, I have already done exams but for piano and voice only.Can anyone tell me what to expect in the flute grading, do you have to do your scales slowly or at your own speed?what are the examiners looking for?
Naomi xxxx

Hi Naomi!
Grade three this soon is really good! Since you've done exams in other disciplines you'll already know what to expect and the flute exams aren't any different. The examiners are looking for the same things they are for any other instrument - accuracy, and interpretation. They don't expect perfection, so don't get too worried about it and just do your best

I think there is some regulation about the speed of scales - I've been looking in the syllabus but I can't find it, so I'd suggest you ask your teacher. You'd know if it sounded too slow though, and there's no need to rush either. I'd say scales on the slow side but correct are probably better than the right speed but with mistakes. Some examiners give you another chance if you make a mistake on a scale anyway...

Good luck,
Helena

I think that they expect you to take scales at whatever you can cope at, but expect them to flow though. So really it's your own choice. The examiners look for a strong sense of flow and accuracy in the pieces, confiedence and accuracy in the aural, accuracy and flow in the sight reading. Good Luck for the exam!

I don't play the flute but the recommended speeds for the scales are in 'These Music Exams'. For grade 3 flute the recommended minimum speed for scales is crotchet = 66 for arpeggios quaver = 92. I would reccomend though if you've just been doing the scales at a certain speed with your teacher you stick to that; I'm sure your teacher has thought of this.

Good luck.

Find the pdf for 'these music exams' on www.abrsm.org - it'll give you more information.

Hi,
I took my Grd5 flute about 10 days ago, and am waiting for the results.
Flute exams are like most other exams;
-3 pieces (2 accompanied and 1 not)
-Sight reading
-Scales
-Aural tests
I think you can do the scales at your own speed as long as you are comfortable with the speed.
The examiners are just looking for the same things genrally in most exams. So if you've already done ABRSM exams then you should be prepared.
Good luck.
Meg_lili

Hi Naomi.

When I took grade 3, I played the scales at a speed I felt right at. It is better playing scales carefully, at a moderate spped, than rushing and there may be a few mistakes.

The grading for exams is as follows:
Pass - 100 marks
Merit - 120 marks
Distinction - 130 marks
(Maximum marks is 150)

Good luck for your Grade 3 exam.

Don't worry if you can't get your scales up to the minimum speeds given - you won't fail the scales section.

I had two pupils taking Grade 6 last term; both knew their scales well, but one played much faster than the other, who was very slow and steady. They both received 17/21, which is a pretty good mark for Grade 6 scales. Just go at a speed where your fingers and tongue are co-ordinated, keep at a steady pace and try to play all your scales at the same speed.

Thanks for all the help. I'm a bit nervous but I think I'll be fine.Just practice, practice, practice!
Naomi xxxx

I don't know about the flute books, but in the Associated Board's Scales and Arpeggios book it has recomended speeds for the clarinet. This book is really useful and I would recomend it to anyone!!!!!!

hi naiomi,
i took grade three flute in november, and its pretty easy. watch out for e minor, they always use that one to trick people. before you go into the exam, calm your nerves by doing your flute breathing and closing your eyes. its a little like meditating. i always use that tecnique to calm myself down before playing a solo on stage. the examiners are usually pretty nice, but even the worst ones will give you a second attempt if anything goes dreadfully wrong. scales you can take at your own pace and you can have a few minutes to remember them before actually playing. your doing really well to be at grade three in just months - its supposed to take three years. gd luck 4 your exam.
hope ive been some help!