philparker Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Quite daunting really!! I haven't taken a music exam since my final year in school, some 35 years ago and took my grade 6 this afternoon. I was sharing the waiting room with a 12-year old and a 15-year old and they were much less nervous than me. More nerves than any gig I've ever done. It went as well as it could have done for my set pieces, but it will be interesting to see how many points I've dropped in the other sections?! Quote
philparker Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Thanks - it went as well as it could. I played in this order: Capuzzi, Rondo & Allegro; Walton, A Deep Song; Bottesini, Study No. 40. I learned and played most of the A & B selection, but those were my favourites. I will start on the Capuzzi Allegro straight away, ready for a grade 7 at the end of the year. Quote
ubassman Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 ...thats not an exam, thats a mini solo concert ! Great job , well done again Phil ! BTW who did you have as your accompanist and how did the sight reading bit go? Quote
philparker Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) My accompanist was a local (within 15 miles) Piano Tuner by trade, who is an excellent player and sight reader. I had 3 sessions with him prior to the exam (it gets expensive!). I was disappointed with my sight reading; it was full of semi-quavers, mixed slurred & single strokes, dotSQ/Q/dotSQ Q rest in 2/4. Up to F. Quite tricky compared to the other 3 pieces he could have chosen on the double open page, but I should be better than that. My dynamics were non-existent. I will have dropped points. However, I left with a good overall feeling and he even said I did very well! Edited March 17, 2014 by philparker Quote
ubassman Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Thing is that will have given you a firm resolve for your 7 sight reading ! The slurred and tied notes are always the tricky ones for us especially with changing time and key sigs thrown in ....I guess thats why they are there in the exam - grade 6 isnt meant to be easy ( its not ) !! Quote
philparker Posted March 17, 2014 Author Posted March 17, 2014 Yes, you're right, it will be the focus of my practise for the next 6 months before grade 7 and I won't get it wrong (I've played other music to a much higher standard & that is why I am disappointed). I am also enthused - I was thinking of only taking Grade 6, then concentrating on Pizz, but I will persevere and take it up to Grade 8, all being well! Thanks for your words of encouragement! Quote
fatgoogle Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 I have one today too, got fed up of always loosing great chamber music gigs because i hadn't done any grades which people seem to base your capabilities of. Next time if you want more rehearsals with a pianist maybe email your nearest music school/conservatory and see if there's any players who want to practice their accompaniment skills. Quote
philparker Posted March 18, 2014 Author Posted March 18, 2014 Good Luck! Which grade are you taking? I wasn't aware the grades were necessary to get the gigs? I took the exam, and will take the next two, just so that I can follow an established and structured progression. good tip about an accompanist! Quote
ubassman Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 [quote name='fatgoogle' timestamp='1395134127' post='2398949'] ....got fed up of always loosing great chamber music gigs [/quote] They are clearly not anywhere near as choosey about the quality of playing were I live !!! Lol Quote
fatgoogle Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Grade 8. A lot of groups seem to ask in Dublin and i always forgot to lie and just say i had it. Yeah, they shouldn't be so picky especially when there's a lack of us. Maybe it's just an excuse to always hire in a professional. Edited March 18, 2014 by fatgoogle Quote
ubassman Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 I am sure you will WOW! the examiner with your playing ...especially on your new JL ! Quote
philparker Posted March 18, 2014 Author Posted March 18, 2014 Hey, let us know how you get on and what set pieces you played? Quote
gypsyjazzer Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 [b]Well done Phil![/b] Far Far better than me. Here I am still playing the Banjo (No joke!) Mind you there are some virtuoso banjo players out there--classical / Jazz and all styles in between. Quote
MandShef Posted March 19, 2014 Posted March 19, 2014 Well done to both of you. It takes guts to do these exams as adults! Please let us know how you get on. I've been considering trying for my Gr8 piano, but the thought of doing the exam scares me silly! Quote
fatback Posted March 19, 2014 Posted March 19, 2014 I am so impressed with you guys and the courage it takes to step up like that, especially as an adult. I feel my excuses running out. Quote
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