Hi everyone,

I just got the grade 4 book and had my first lesson since christmas last night. Had a look at English dance (but think I prefer Allegro ma non troppo) from list A, Allegro from list B and La cumparsita from list C.

Anyone have any thoughts on the selection of pieces? Hoping to take grade 4 in Session C just before Christmas. Would it be a problem doing two allegro pieces or should I have a more contrasting choice?

Would appreciate any words of wisdom! JoJo?? Lottie??

I wouldn't know on those pieces because I am cleverly or foolishly skipping grade 4 and am aiming straight for grade 5 got the book and am now learning my first piece: Tambourin (A1)
BUT, will try and have a look and a listen to them and let you know what I think. The pieces can often be found on Youtube....
'I think' maybe 'ideally' you should try to go for 3 different pieces, but if you go for those 3 and play them really well then you will still get your high mark I am sure
Your first lesson since CHRISTMAS?? wow, what a long gap you had. How did it feel??

I wouldn't know on those pieces because I am cleverly or foolishly skipping grade 4 and am aiming straight for grade 5 got the book and am now learning my first piece: Tambourin (A1)
BUT, will try and have a look and a listen to them and let you know what I think. The pieces can often be found on Youtube....
'I think' maybe 'ideally' you should try to go for 3 different pieces, but if you go for those 3 and play them really well then you will still get your high mark I am sure
Your first lesson since CHRISTMAS?? wow, what a long gap you had. How did it feel??

Grade 5!!! Oh wow you must be really progressing well. When are you planning to take the exam? My teacher suggested I take Grade 4 in the summer but I've think it might be a bit rushed....but then will I be bored of the pieces by the Autumn? I dunno the closing date for entries for summer is fast approaching! have you taken theory exams already as well?

Well, I don't intend on taking grade 5 earlier than next year in March or June, BUT having said that, if my teacher tells me I am ready for it earlier than it will be a pleasant surprise and I will go with his advice.
I 'could' take grade 4 BUT I do like playing the violin without having to think all the time that I have to do this and that well and by that standard for June or November...I'd like to take grade 5 in a year as that will give me the green light to join my local amateur orchestra 'just for rehearsals' (to perform they want me to be at grade 7 minimum), so if I also took grade 4 by this year, it would mean that I spend all my time thinking of exams! by not taking grade 4 I can just play without the worry and then I'll start worrying about exams again by the end of this year.
In the meantime my teacher has given me some nice and really challenging pieces to learn which will help my technique develop in preparation to become a grade 5 player (I have to learn the Schubert sonatinas somehow LOL), I am also learning Meditation from Thais but have still learn vibrato to add to it (without vibrato it is not that expressive).
Theory: no, have not taken any of these exams yet, but of course will plan on taking probably grade 6 by the end of 2009 (grade 6 will last me until Diploma level on practical LOL).
What are your 'long term plans'? Are you planning on taking each grade on the ladder or will 'skip' any?

Lottie, where are you? are you going to skip grade 4??
(she may still be 'hung-over' from celebrating her distinction on grade 3 )

sounds like you are forging ahead anyway jojo - is your progress on piano similar? I am reluctant to skip grades because I did that with piano when I was younger and felt that I missed out on developing a lot of associated techniqe and confidence performing by racing through the exams. I did grades primary, 2, 4, 6 and 8.So planning right now to go up the rungs of the ladder with the violin grades I think.

Thinking about taking grade 5 theory in June but maybe I'm mad!! And then Grade 4 practical in the Autumn. There are quite a few pieces I like from grade 4 so will try and learn most of them I think. What are the ones for Grade 5 like? I need to work on vibrato too and shifting into different positions though that was working much better for me recently.... it felt much more intuitive somehow!

I've been working on Grade 4 pieces for a while and have just started on the Grade 5 pieces (like Jojo I am starting with Tambourin too - my teacher told me it was the easiest!!)
Back to the grade 4 pieces, I love La cumparsita and Slow Fox from list C. List B - i thought Allegro ma non troppo was very nice and I cant remember the other one I like but I know that I don't like the position it starts in! English dance is quite good, but I was struggling with the bowing and making it slightly staccato from what I can remember.

Now I feel like I am making very slow progress - Jojo working on grade 5 and you too after only 6 months!!! How do you guys do it?

Well I'm only starting Grade 4

I'm going to take all the exams in order simply because I think it's a great structure for learning technique etc. Learning the scales, pieces (and the relevant technical studies) is a great ladder for the whole skill and I'm hoping it gives me a rounded base to work on.

I'm also in no hurry Yes, I want Grade 5 so I can join my local orchestra (like Jojo) but it looks like that might have to wait until next year. I'm just going to toddle along trying to keep it all fun (but yes, my long term plan is Grade 8 and a Diploma MWHARRRR HARRRR HARRRR )

I'm going to take Grade 4 in the Autumn which gives me plenty time to learn all the new scales and arpeggios (my weakest point I think). Right now I'm working on improving my vibrato, which is quite secure now but just a bit slow, securing harmonics and shifting positions. All such fun!!

I LOVE the Grade 4 pieces - they're my favourite so far out of everything I've played and I'm champing at the bit to get on with them. I love the English Dance and I think all the 'B' list pieces are just lovely although my favourite is the Waltz. I haven't really looked at the 'C' pieces but I like the last one.. and Slow Fox is good.

HOWEVER, my teacher has banned me from the new Grade 4 list because we both reckon I'll be heartily sick of the pieces by Autumn!!! So right now I'm working on some harder Mazas duets (lots of double-stopping and position changes.. oh and harmonics (my favourite)), Meditation from Thais, Kinsey studies and the old Grade 4 pieces from the last session (which I'll learn to play with the cd accompaniment). And scales etc.

It's all great fun but I have a major exhibition coming up in June so for the next two months I fear poor Martha is going to be a bit neglected while I fling paint around. Then, as long as I'm not snowed with commissions (!) I will have all summer to play to my heart's content.

Well, that's the plan.....

note:
I am skipping grade 4 but this does not mean I am skipping learning the vital techniques/scales etc, in fact I have already learnt my scales/arps/chromatics/dominant sevenths for grade 4 (need to perfection them now), I don't believe in skipping things. I just want to skip paying for the exam and the whole thing of learning pieces I don't necessarily want to learn (although there is a lot of good in learning things that you don't particularly want to and at times I do this).
I did say I am hoping to go for grade 5 in march or june next year, so whilst Lottie is doing grade 4 this autumn and maybe grade 5 next year in June, I'll just do grade 5 in June and I am still learning my scales/technique etc between grade 3 and 5, it does not pay to skip the learning process So.....I am still doing the same as Orla and Lottie
ps I have been playing for 1yr and 3 months not only 6 months
pps I have not been practicing piano for 2 months now so am stuck at grade 3 there, but I have discovered I am a violin 'junkie' anyway

Try asking your teacher!

That's what my friends call me too

Well in a moment of madness today I've entered for Grade 5 theory exam :-) Planning on taking Grade 4 practical in November all going well. Pretty excited now with the theory books out! Better wander over to the theory forum for some advice......

*heads off to Theory forum*

Lottie - let me know what pieces you decide on! How hard is the Meditation from Thais? I love that piece.

Orla

Hey,

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I've actually been playing for a year and just forgot to change my signature!! It helps if you've played other instruments before. Like jojo, I'm not really missing out grade 4 becuase I'm still working on the pieces. I think I will maybe take the Grade 5 next summer but really I'm playing more for enjoyment

Good luck in your Grade 5 theory exam, I did mine last summer so if you have any questions hopefully I'll be able to help

What would you say is your absolute favourite Grade 4 piece? Mine would definately be C3

Lil_miz_music xx

La cumparsita is really brilliant! I'm finding Allegro ma non troppo pretty difficult to be honest....the list b piece allegro is a bit easier. I love the way they sound on the CD but am afraid my allegros are rather more largo :-)

Oh well, it wouldn't be much good if it wasn't a challenge! Some hard work ahead I feel!

Yes I'm starting to like La Cumparsita too... but I am getting a strong picture of the 'parents' from the Adams Family film dancing in my head..... (can't remember their names).

And I've started the scales which will be my biggest hurdle.

I fell to pieces in my scales in the grade 3 exam and really felt that the examiner was overly generous in his marking so will want to make sure I have them all rock solid for grade 4.......I'm with you all the way Lottie!!

Just wondering are you doing English dance? I like the first half but then think it goes a bit odd...... I should probably give it a chance though so as not to have two allegro pieces but rather some contrast!

Yes I'm doing the English Dance. I can't quite get my double-forte bit 'forte' enough but I think that's lack of bow-technique so I'm working on it slowly. I really like the piece but I find it hard to believe it's so 'old' - it sounds very contemporary to me. I think the dynamic variation is good fun