I recently got my grade 7 singing results back. I only got 103...yes i still passed but isn't that a really poor mark? I was ill when i took my exam and have suffered from bad health recently, i've had a chesty cough for the last 3 weeks. Alot of people have told me "103, that's not too bad, you still passed" But i don't know it's the worst result i've got cinse i did my grade 2 (when i cried in the exam and got the pass mark) Any thoughts?
Also...
I've been singing with the same teacher for 5 years. She's taught me alot. She is, however, 93 years old. She chose my songs for me and she chose songs that weren't right for my voice. I think she's going slightly deaf and also she can't play the piano aswell as she used to.
I don't know whether to leave her and find a new teacher to do my grade 8 with or stick with her and hope i get through it.
I'd be happy for any advice...about my teacher, My exam mark or my chesty cough...

Thanks

Angel x

Passing any exam at Grade 7 is still something to be proud of, whether you got 103 or 133. Remember that 103 is still 69%. I know that some people continually seek to devalue results which are not merits or distinctions, but under the circumstances you describe, I think you did very well.

As for your teacher, it doesn't sount as if you are happy with the situation. It isn't my place to comment on the quality of the teaching she delivers, but I would say that in terms of choosing pieces, I guide students rather than choose for them. I present them with as many of the pieces as I can on the list which I think are suitable (or sometimes, at the lower grades, give them free reign) and then help them to choose. I can see no pleasure in performing pieces which have been chosen by someone else.

If you've had a chesty cough for 3 weeks, then a trip to the doctors should be in order.

David

I agree - you passed and that's already a great achievement - well done !

Now on to the not so fun stuff - it sounds like there's a tiny bit of sour grapes here - you knew you were ill, you knew the pieces didn't suit your voice etc. yet you still chose to go ahead with the exam, if you feel you haven't done as well as you deserved, then you have to acknowledge that this is due to your choice, not to anyone else.

I agree with David, though, your teacher shouldn't be forcing you to do certain pieces - you should be the one to choose with appropriate guidance - however it was your responsibility to say something before the exam rather than once you got the result.

A singing teacher does not need to be able to accompany you, either - in fact whilst accompanying you, there's a chance that they aren't able to focus all their attention on you, so a teacher who continually plays piano is not necessarily a good thing. I play the piano to a relatively high standard, but apart from warm-ups and cool downs and the odd tiny bar of accompaniment here and there, I do not accompany my students - if they want accompaniment they bring their own pianist, as for learning songs, we do it by ear from recordings or sight singing if they have the score.

Where your current teacher is concerned you've highlighted several things that you aren't happy with :

1) she doesn't play the piano well - that doesn't mean anything at all.
2) she forces certain songs on you - it's up to you to be more assertive.
3) she's slightly deaf - this could be a problem.

However, you also said that she's taught you a lot and, to be honest, there's a fair chance you wouldn't have got to grade 7 without this woman.

Rather than pointing fingers at things that are ultimately down to you, I'd try being a bit more assertive in lessons for a while and see how that goes. Get an accomanist if necessary or sing to good quality backing tracks - it's what most professional singers do.

Then if it doesn't work out, you can leave in all good conscience knowing that you're leaving because your ideals for singing have diverged, rather than pretending it's her fault that you didn't do as well as you think you ought to.

Once again - congratulations on your G7 - that's a great achievement that you should be proud of.

Allan

I took my grade 8 with a chesty cough and passed. I was upset too, I wanted the distinction.

I had been to the docs, and got the antibiotics. I was fully vindicated with my advanced certificate which I did pass with distinction.

However in hindsight I passed, and so did you with your Grade 7. As a teacher I do choose songs, but I am always willing to hear student suggestions, and maybe go along with them.

It may be time to change teacher, but only you really know that.

Thank you for the advice.
It's difficult to be more assertive because she is 93, she's set in her ways. I know that she knows what she's dong and i wouldn't be grade 7 standard without her. It's difficult to find a new teacher who doesn't know my voice, i just don't know whether i would benefit from it. Also Her pupils seem to be the only people she sees and i don't know whether i have the heart to leave her.
At the end of the day i realise it's my choice.
Thank you all for you're advice.
If anyone else has further advice i'd would be glad of it.
Thank you
Angel
xx

Good on her to be working still at 93 though!!!

It is, so long as you are still a good teacher. It sounds to me like you aren't satisfied with her. I don't think you should feel bad about it and age shouldn't necessarily come into the equation. I would say that as a singing teacher, I tend to get to know people's voices quite quickly, so it wouldn't necessarily be a problem changing teacher for Grade 8.

i changed my singing teacher for Grade 8 and i did well. She later became my Godmother as well.

If you suspect things aren't right then it may be time to leave and find a new teacher if only because your mental attitude is now negative.
You could try a trial lesson with a new teacher (assuming you can find one) and make the decision then.
If you are worried about your teacher being lonely then you could always keep in touch and visit her as a friend

Wow, the response has been brilliant. I was in a rather bad mood when i first wrote that post. But on the whole the response has been very helpful.
Thank you so much
Angel