Hiya Guys... This Is My First Post Here, I Was Just Really Nervous About My Grade 6 Exam, And Failed With 2 Points Away From A Pass... I Heard That Examiners Can NOT Give You One Mark Away Because It's Like Taking The Mick... So In Theory I WAS One Mark Away...
I Now Have Lost Much Of My Interest In Music Thinking That Because I Failed, It Meant That I Had Shown My Talent And How Far I Could Go... What Do You Think I Should Do? You Think I Should Re-Take? Or Quit?

Noo! Don't give up. But just play pieces you want play, pieces for fun for a while. I am sorry you failed, it can't be nice, but at least you know what to improve on
What instrument is it? Also, welcome to the board!

O dear. Failing an exam is depressing. What instrument was it, how much work had you done for it (hours per week for how long?) and was your teacher definitely familiar with the standard (ie. has entered successful candidates before)? Tell us that lot to start with and someone may be able to make some constructive suggestions. Meanwhile, read my signature

Liz

All excellent questions.
And I'd be interested to know also what other grades you have done, and how long it is since your previous exam on the same instrument.

Bad luck anyway - it is disappointing.

Sorry to hear about your failed exam, although I do feel like I need a banging my head against the wall smilie for the above comment: if you get near the borderline the examiners do consider which side to put you on and it's true that they don't really give 99 (although I think that it has been done on some occasions) but they really do think about whether you deserve to pass: I can assure you that you've had a fair trial. It's just as likely that the marks originally added up to 98, 99 or 100!

Don't give up just because of a failed exam, as Liz says there are many things people need to know before they can offer constructive advice such as how long you've been playing. The best thing to do for now is to find some repertoire perhaps a little easier than grade 6 if you're struggling with that and enjoy yourself: find something that you really like and play that. Meanwhile discuss with your teacher where the weak spots were and improve on them; perhaps if you haven't done all the lower grades already you could try one of those to get your confidence back up before trying grade 6 again. Just a few suggestions, but if you enjoy playing don't give up: you'll regret it later!

Liz: I like your new slant on the signature .

I am sooo sorry to hear that. It's heartbreaking especially when you come so close!

I failed my grade 5 piano twice because I was put in too early and was encouraged to skip a grade. I was utterly devestated and thought about giving up and selling my piano. 3rd time though, I got a merit! And I never failed an exam since. So don't worry, it really is not a reflection on your talent. There are so many things that could have been out of your control. The examiner may have just been in a bad mood or something, just might not have been your day...it doesn't mean you are destined to fail at all!

Take a break from exams and concentrate on stuff you enjoy. you'll learn so much from trying new repetoire and improve your musicianship!

Best wishes!

RETAKE. I have failed my gr5 piano (i havent got my results yet but i know i have failed) and i was really nervous too. I know that I am capable of getting a pass but i wasnt near my full potential during the exam (hope that makes sense). But as well as resitting my exam I am at the same time preparing for grade 6! but I definately think u should retake!

Lou

There wasn't enough room to list the other exam I failed. I have passed one or two as well!

Liz

Liz, you are a scream! Not to worry, even this teacher has failed exams before. Although I passed my ATCL on the 1st attempt, it was Grade 8-I had to take it three times. Mostly failed out of nerves. Thank God those were the only ones I've failed. But I ain't telling anyone else, if you get my drift

Don't give up, Matatsu. Maybe now you have the chance to REALLY enjoy music instead of working on all those exam things over and over again. You need to get out there and play more music!

I took my grade 7 piano yesterday and it didn't go at all well and I too am not confident of passing. It may well be the first music exam I have failed. However, I do not intend to let it spoil all the progress I have made. If I fail, I will simply take the grade again next year with some new pieces and if I pass I will simply go on to grade 8. It's a win-win situation.

After all, the real purpose of music exams is not just to get another certificate, it is to progress as a musician after all the practice you put in leading up to the exam. Passing or failing cannot take away the months of hard work and progression.

Shelton

you definitely should keep going, sometimes no matter how well prepared you are your nerves can get the better of you, and things can go wrong. it certainly doesn't mean that you're not talented enough to proceed to later grades.

the very first exam i ever sat was grade 4 piano and i got failed (95) in November 2003, retook it in march '04 and got 128. it's pretty depressing at the time and a lot of us have been there, but i agree totally with shelton - the work you did do for the grade will have benefited you enormously, even though you didn't get the paper to prove it.

My clarinet teacher failed his grade 5 but he carried on and now he is the best clarinettist i have heard!!!!!!!!
DoNt QuIt!

It Was Piano...
But I Didn't Do The Grade 5 Practical, Only The Theory, That May Have Put Those Two Marks Down...
Well, It's Like Stumbling On The Stairs Right?

Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
BIG GAP
Grade 6

I Think That Was The Problem, The Experience... But I Don't Think I Was Prepared... Or Maybe, I Reached The Limit Of My Talent, I Really Don't Know...
But Thanks Sooo Much For The Advice Guys... It Helps!

Ok Some of the suggestions here are really good I especially liked the one about taking a step back and playing some easier pieces. This really struck a chord with me as its what Ive had to do this year. This time last year I scraped a pass in grade 8 (110) as my old teacher had pushed me into it as she wanted me to get it before leaving school to go on to study music at uni. Going to Uni really opened my eyes and I saw that I could be a really good player with a little help from a 1st flautist as a teacher rather than a general woodwind teacher who I was recieving lessons from before and even now Im still playing pieces that are of a grade 6/7 standard but the difference being Im playing to a much better standard and taking a step back has really helped me become a better flautist. Ok there is a reason why Im telling you this and its because I felt like giving up many times this year but Ive plodded on through and got there in the end. So basically dont give up as Im sure you have so much more potential and dont let one knock back get to you and dont give up!

Hiya, first of all I'm really sorry to hear that you didn't pass but second of all I definitely don't think you should give up just because you've had a set-back. What happens in an exam does not really show your musical ability at it's best as nerves play a big part in your performance so you probably won't play as well as you would if you were just practising at home. I always find that I play my best when I'm on my own as there's no pressure to please anyone and I don't have to worry about mistakes. I'm due to take grade 6 piano at the beginning of next year. I was originally going to take it in November but I wanted to wait until I felt ready and comfortable with the pieces and everything. Also I have to take my grade 5 theory in November now (problem with application) so I probably wouldn't have been able to take it then anyway Just out of interest what pieces did you choose? I'm doing A3, B3 & C1.

And remember, just because you failed one exam it doesn't mean that you're not a good musician so keep going and maybe try the exam again when you feel more confident

Lisa xx

Just another thought: what were your marks like in your other grades? You don't have to answer this here (although you can if you want) just answer to yourself. The reason I ask is that if they're all near the borderline of pass/fail it may be that you have a teacher who enjoys the adrenaline of being on the borderline! In reality it's really never necessary to go into a music exam with failing being any less than the remotest of possibilities: imagine if you did grade 1 now after having worked on the stuff for it, would it really be at all likely that you would fail? Whether you pass a grade really depends not so much on how much talent you have or how nervous you were, or anything else but mainly on how well prepared you are and what your current standard is before you enter the exam. If you're living on a knife edge you'll always have worries, but more preparation will allow you to take grades in a 'safer' manner: something worth considering if this experience has scared you a little.

Hey!
Try not to be too disappointed that you failed. i failed my grade 6 piano last year and i was really upset at the time too. My piano teacher suggested that i repeat it but i jus wanted to continue for grade 7 and have fun playing other tunes that i liked and stuff. Jus have fun playing!!
Don't quit cos you'll regret it in years to come.
Nomsi

Its disappointing to fail an exam, but you aren't on your own. What was your teachers reaction to your result? From the examiners remarks, was there anything in particular that let you down - such as a low mark for scales/ sightreading? Please don't give up - you will regret it. Repeat grade 6 and then look forward to grade 7. Don't be tempted to skip grade 6 and go on to grade 7 because you will go into your grade 7 wondering how you are going to pass it when you didn't pass grade 6. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do well next time.

Pleeeeease whatever you do don't give up! I failed my Grade 5 flute almost five years ago. I am not sure of your situation, but mine was because I was in my first year at senior school and I got bullied for being more experienced in music than most in fact nearly all of my yeargroup (amongst other things they chose to tease me about.) On the day of my exam, i had a music assessment and played Sicilienne, at which I got huge amount of stick and my music was ripped in half. Anyway, I failed my exam, and with no self-esteem (bearing in mind no adults knew of my situation at school) I refused to play my flute for a year and 2 months. I was devasted and just didnt want to play anymore, ever again. I dreaded music assesments at school and always played the really easy keyboard pieces we had been playing in class, saying my flute was in for a service or broken.

Then one day, my school music teacher told me I should sign up for the show band...I was secretly desperate to play but I was to be the youngest there and about 8th flute!! I persuaded my best friend ( a percussionist) to join too, and we both very nervously attend the first rehearsals absolutely petrified! However, everyone there, even though they were older than us were welcoming and shared that passion for music that was burning in my heart and re-fueled my desire to play.

Taking my flute out of its case and feeling the cold metal against my lips was a moment I'll never forget. I have done every show since, quickly becoming 1st flute and eventually band leader. I loved playing my flute again, and suddenly the failed exam didnt seem important, because other people appriciated my musical abilities and my love for playing. As my music teacher said, what the examiner saw was just 20 minutes of my whole musical career, so what's 20 minutes?!

Back to the point (sorry about the babble!) if you didnt have talent or passion to play you wouldn't have got to grade 6. You'd have given up at grade 1 or 2, so please never doubt your musical talent or abilities!

Play some fun stuff and retake when YOU feel you are ready, find a piece you love, and work and work on it, find a reason to love playing again, please dont make the mistake I made of forgettting your passion and love for playing.

Hope this helps
xx