Hi!

Is anyone having a dilema like me trying to decide whether to take an exam before the end of the year using the 2007/8 syllabus or whether to wait and start the 2009/10 syllabus instead?

I had planned to take my Grade 3 piano exam before the end of this year but I'll confess I've seriously slacked off (I haven't even gotten to grips with all of the pieces yet) and now I'm not sure whether to just go mad practising to get in the exam before the end of the year or whether to play it safe and start the new stuff ready for an exam at the beginning of 2009. I don't want to be underprepared for the exam but I don't want to wait and get bored with my pieces either (although I really, really do want to play Top Cat!).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!

If you're in the UK, you can still use the pieces from 2007/08 in the Spring 2009 session, although all other technical work (such as scales) does have to come from the 2009/10 syllabus. If you're aiming for spring next year, choose the syllabus with the pieces you like best.

If you're outside of the UK you can use the pieces clear through the end of next year which is very accommodating.

There are more than 2 months to the closing date for Autumn exams and about 6 weeks more to the start of the session. If you are well up to grade 3 standard and have one or more of your pieces and your scales well on the way there's plenty of time.
If you prefer the pieces in the new syllabus then maybe play some other things for a while before starting on them or learn them (with maybe more than one from each list?) and then rest them for a short time before refreshing them for the spring session.
You are allowed to play Top Cat without using it for an exam....
It might be a good idea to discuss your options with your teacher.

I have the same dilemma, though on grade 8 piano. I have been working on the 2007-8 pieces for 18 months, but unfortunately my practice time hasn't been as frequent as I would have wanted, and now I am in the position of, do I start with the 2009-10 pieces but have the full 2.5 years to complete, or try an nail the current pieces by next spring. I have decided to go for the 2009 pieces, because I cannot guarantee what my time will be like over the autumn, and I don't want to get to spring and find that I am not up to it , or fail and then have to start th 2009 pieces 8 months later...

Andy

Yes I agree and36y, it is always a dilemma, especially when your old pieces leave you jaded and the new ones seem so much more exciting and new and fresh... What to do?

Personally, I am going to stick to my 2007-2008 choice of pieces and take the plunge with Grade 8 this autumn. I am not tired of them yet, despite learning them for almost 18 months now (like you). This is probably as I have changed my mind so many times as to which ones to stick with...

denmark

Denmark Good luck

I know I won't be ready for autumn, and I feel waiting for the last opportunity in spring, is for me a bit of a gamble. I haven't managed to get the pieces up to full speed in 18 months. So at the back of my mind is the thought that " will I be in the same position in 2 years time if I start the 2009 after a failure in the spring session". This may sound a bit negative, but I think I am being realistic. It’s just trying to find the practice time.. the time just doesn't seem to be there. and I've lost count the number of times I have sat down at the end of the day to practice only to find I am falling to sleep at the keyboard.

Yes, same dilemma over Grade 8 here. I've just got the new book and am not at all sure I want to take the exam with these pieces, so I think I'll have to knuckle down, do some serious practice (chance would be a fine thing) and aim to take it next spring. I'd then have then benefit of the new sight reading syllabus but with pieces I have three-quarters learned already.

If I were doing the new syllabus I'd look seriously at the Ireland from List C and the Bach P&F, but nothing leaps out at me from List B.