I recently passed grade 8 but only just. I feel very dissapointed with myself- almost as though I had failed. I didn't play as well as I can in the exam so the blame is all mine. Shall I re take it this year or next with a fresh set of pieces?
I only did it for my own sense of acheivment and not to get into a music school.
Please advice.

i fully sympathise with you Mrs Beethoven and it happened to me!!
i played really awful in the exam and was very disappointed with myself as i only scraped a pass. Ive decided to retake and some people will tell me not to but i want to get the mark that reflects what my playing can do not what my nerves can do!!
if you decide to retake i would say change the pieces unless you are really confident that you can improve them and play them well. if it was mainly your scales etc.. that were bad then you could stick with the pieces and do extra practice on the other things!

sorry ive just babbled nonsense!!

Nat

sorry- i also forgot to add-well done on passing even if the mark didnt truly reflect your ability!!

Nat

Thanks Nat it did help to hear what you felt too. when are you going to retake?
If we only passed or failed without knowing how many marks we got I would be ecstatic.
I think I had been playing the pieces for so long that after a while mistakes kept creeping in and I felt I was 'stale' with them. I'm 99% sure I will retake in early 2005. I will keep the scales and arpeggios etc. going.
Family and friends think I've done remarkably well with everything else going on in my life- 2 jobs 3 children big house etc etc. but none of them know a flat from a sharp!!

I am retaking in June.(its grade 5 clarinet) im keeping 2 of my pieces the same because i like them and its not that i couldnt play them it was nerves.I have changed my study piece because the only time i will play that well enough to get a good mark is if i have no nerves at all!!! im much more comfortable with my new piece!!!
most of my friends dont know the difference between a flat and a sharp either!!! thats why i like talkin to people on here who actually understand!!! and my family think i did well to pass but they dont really understand !!!

I think thats the trouble with grade 8, it takes so long to prepare that you can get bored of the pieces!!!you could always look at the new syallbus when it comes out and if you like the look of the pieces try them!!!

Nat

QUOTE (Mrs Beethoven @ Apr 15 2004, 10:15 AM)

I recently passed grade 8 but only just. I feel very dissapointed with myself- almost as though I had failed. I didn't play as well as I can in the exam so the blame is all mine. Shall I re take it this year or next with a fresh set of pieces? I only did it for my own sense of acheivment and not to get into a music school. Please advice.

Well done for passing your Grade 8, it's a shame you felt you didn't do yourself justice in the exam. I know how you feel though if I was in your position I would feel the same and like you I would want to retake the exam.

I think it may be a good idea to retake it next year with new pieces, so you can come back to it fresh. You could spend the next year exploring the repertoire, getting lots of experience with different styles of music. This will help to improve your playing overall and by the time you start your new exam pieces you will have a lot more experience playing at this level. As you are doing Grade VIII for your own sense of achievment there is no need to rush. This would also give you a chance to strengthen your scales, aurals and sight reading.

Also do you think you need more experience in performing? I am trying to do more of this at the moment as I am hoping it will improve my performance in exams. Luckily I know quite a few other adult learners so I have always got a sympathetic audience.


Overall though my main advice would be to take your time. I am sure that the longer you take and the more experience you have playing will make you a better musician in the long term.

Hi Lucia,

When I left my exam, the examiner suggested that I try and get more performing experience as it would give me more confidence for exams.

How do you get your perfoming experience? As a singer, I think it is easier said than done, especially when you have a more than full-time job and need an accompanist!

Hi Emma

I tend to perform in front of friends and family, but also I take part in musical recitals held by my daughter's piano teacher for her pupils. I find that quite nerve racking as I have to play in front of people I don't know.
When I do play in front of family and friends I always try make it fairly formal i.e. as it would be in a performance situation.

Also I sometimes "peform" at my piano lessons. Before the previous pupil leaves I perform a piece for them and they do the same for me. I find even this helps with my performance skills.

I have found the more performing I do the easier it gets, although I still get nervous and I think I probably always will I just find it's getting easier to cope with the nerves.

It can be quite difficult when you need an accompianist, as I have found with my flute, but you could try doing some solo stuff.

I have found various pianists, accomplished amateurs, who are very keen to accompany through the local music society. These people just love playing and are always keen to help.

Other performance opportunities are local musical festivals. Also in the area where I live recitals are held in the local churches for amateur musicians to take part in. I don't think I could do either of these yet - especially not with my piano as I'm not nearly confident enough yet. Something to aim for though.