Grr. I just did my Clarinet Grade 3 today. It was the worst exam I've sat I think, including the 5 exams I've done for piano too. My first two pieces with the accompaniment went really well, then as soon as my teacher had gone I started to play terribly. I messed up my study, and I had to keep on stopping. I squeaked and squawked (do you know if they take marks off this?). My scales were half OK and half very bad, especially the whole tone and pentatonic. My sight-reading wasn't bad but definitely wasn't as good as usual. My aurals.... uh.... 3/4 was OK. Let's hope I pass....

I hope you pass. I don't know how severly you squeaked but I squeaked all the way through my grade 5 piece...and failed the piece. It might be different at grade 3 and you probably were nowhere near as bad as me..so don't worry

Well it sounds fine apart from that study so you might compensate that. If you squeaked an awful lot then I guess they might take marks off but they will look at other aspects of the playing. You can only wait for the results now so just forget it. Hope it reflects the work you put in for it.

Coincidence! I took my Grade 3 today as well, mine wasn't bad, except for sight-reading...hmm...It was in 2, which is a pet hate of mine....

Doesn't sound like ABRSM though, I didn't have to learn any Whole tone or Pentatonic Scales....

You have to learn whole tone and pentatonic scales for Guildhall.

Yeah, I think I did Guildhall... (shows how much I know about this exam...) I only started preparing for this exam after Easter, because my teacher's leaving at the end of this year and we wanted to do my exam before then. So it was a bit rushed, and I'd be happy if I pass.

I squeaked and squawked about three times in the study, especially around the high notes. I also just stopped in the middle; I can't remember why but I think I was really nervous and panicking, and I didn't know what I was going to do next. I think I need more practice at performing on my clarinet. I usually don't do that with my piano exams.

Anyway thanks for your consolations... do you know how long it takes for the results to come out, approximately?

I know it's hard, but try not to worry . The trouble with clarinets is they're so temperamental and you can guarantee that the more stressed you are the more they'll squeak! Luckily the examiners know this. Three squeaks in one piece is nothing to worry about. I squeaked all through my grade 5 (many years ago...). At the end of the exam the examiner asked to see the instrument. He looked it over, and recommended I get a new one! I was sure I must have failed, but I got a distinction.

I took an exam today too - the waiting's awful isn't it? Best of luck - let us know the results when they come.

PS - and don't worry about the scales: I used to make mine up as I went along!

If you did Guildhall then I may be able to reassure you. The marking system is very different and each section is split and marked in different categories, accuracy, musicianship, control of instrument, musical awareness. Therefore if you squeaked a lot in a piece, you won't get many marks for control of instrument section, however you may still gain good marks in the musicanship, musical awareness and accuracy sections and overall obtain a reasonable mark for the piece.

I think Guildhall are more leniant (sp?!) about squeaks as I accompanied a grade 2 clarinet exam last year. He squeaked in every piece and still got 50/52 for each and an overall mark of 292/300!

Fingers crossed for you!

Thanks! I haven't got my results yet, but when I get them, I'll post them. As you said Fred, the waiting is the hardest.