I have finally decided to take the plunge and go for my grade one clarinet this session (Novemebr I believe).

What would be your top five tips to get me and your pupils through grade one both to pass it and come through unscthed.

Are there any examiners out there who can guide me as to what they look for?

Having just started to go through things I realise there is a lot more to it than I thought (ok so I only have myself to blame)

My top tip: Make sure you know your scales inside out!

And play some unfamiliar music every day.

If you haven't done so already, get hold of a copy of These Music Exams, free from Music Shops or online on this site, and have a read. It is very helpful in answering some of the questions you've raised.

I would second that, it's really helpful and tells you exactly what the examiners are looking for, as well as giving reassurance. The online version is here if you want to read it .

Actually whilst I'm here does anyone know if the online version is the new 'revised version' for 2005 or still the original one; and has anyone managed to find a printed version of the new one yet? I haven't noticed any changes (I look at it reasonably frequently to answer questions ) but I might just not be being very observant.

Not an examiner, but the 'top 5' advice I give to my pupils is
1) Don't panic. It doesn't help.
2) Know your scales, they're free marks and a good warm-up
3) Practice singing and clapping aloud, so it's not the first time you've done it in a pressure situation
4) Play lots of unfamiliar music, so the sight reading test isn't scary
5) Believe you can do it

I agree with all the above. Learning your scales is very important along with a little sight reading practice every day, if you can. These are areas of the exam where valuable marks can be lost and are often neglected. Plenty of books to help with the sight reading, eg speciment tests from the Board and the Improve your Sight Reading series of books by Paul Harris.

Above all, when the exam day arrives, try to be positive and ENJOY IT! I know this sounds odd but if you look as though you are enjoying yourself then the chances are that the examiner will too.

Best of luck

And feel.

I have a copy of the new 2005 These Music Exams. Whilst much of the stuff about practical exams remains fairly similar (some changes I'm sure), there's a whole new section on marking of theory exams which is really interesting (well it was to me - maybe I'm just a sad person )

Not sure about the on-line version but I would second reading it if you're starting out new in the exam business. Examiners use it as a reference book I'm told so it's got to be good value for what they're trained to think in assessing a performance.

Best of luck and hope it goes well.

If you are I'm certain you're in good company

Yes, that sounds very interesting!

I've just looked at the online version and it's Copyright 2001, so the old version it seems.

Yes it must be then. I saw one in a shop once and didn't pick it up: I always feel really guilty about picking up free things in shops like I'm stealing them! Especially as I didn't buy anything else because they didn't have what I was looking for. Anyway since then (with my new found bravery to collect one) I have not been able to find one anywhere in any shop (even the shop that originally have one) and YAP requested one from the board a while ago but that's probably been forgotton now (unless there are some production problems). Has anyone else found it to be in quite short supply?

When I emailed the board for a copy it came very quickly.

All thank you so much for your sound advice. I have followed up on most of it and will bear the rest in mind in the run up to Novemner.

Now I am just feel I should never of started.

There is just no pleasing some people.

Pieces:
1) Know the notes.
2) Play the correct rhythm.
3) Be fluent.

Those will result in a pass. To get really high marks:
4) Play musically.
5) Be a whizz at scales, aural and sight-reading.

Ta-daaa. Easy when you know how.

So why did I find it so difficult, all those years ago?

Steve

I find that if students put in every bit of tonguing and slurring, plus some dynamics, they tend to get merit marks or higher for the pieces in grade 1 clarinet (as long as the notes and rhythms are right!). The scales are easy marks - I tell people there's no excuse to throw marks away there - it's like you're having a test and you're told months in advance what the questions are going to be. Aural and sight reading need confidence, so daily practice can help here.

Good luck! I've entered children of 8 and 9 for this exam, but in recent years have had a 73 year old beginner pass it, and this summer a lady in her 50s got merit for the same exam. She was thrilled.

To be honest I would be thrilled with a low pass at the rate I am going. The advise and I am sure that after the exam I will say that it obvious.........

Struggling with motivation at the moment I am sure itll come back when I hear my daughter playing.....