Our son (12) did his grade 1 in June and just scraped a pass. His teacher feels that the gap between 1 and 2 isn't too bad and that he could probably manage Grade 2 in December, IF he works hard. He's one of those boys who always needs pushing, but when he's motivated, he can do anything.

He actually learned one of the grade 2 pieces 'Garage Sale' all by himself before the holidays and loves it. We're now waiting for a new Grade 2 book to arrive, the last copy having mysteriously disappeared. We've listened to the CD and he's already chosen his List A and B pieces.

Do you reckon that 2.5 months is enough for him to learn another 2 pieces and get his scales, sight reading etc up to scratch? Or should we wait till next June and take it at a more leisurely pace? We have 5 days to decide!

Also, to give me an idea of the work, can anyone comment on the difficulty of Garage Sale compared to the A & B pieces?

Steve

Personally I would say Garage Sale is by far easier than any of the list A or B pieces.
As for time scale, not knowing your son, I can't really say, but if it was one of my average pupils I think December would be too soon.

I might be wrong on this but isn't Garage Sale on the old syllabus but not the new one? So if he wanted to do Garage Sale and other pieces off the current syllabus (2007-08), he'd need to do the exam either this session or in March. But I might be wrong...

You are right skylark, but stevensfo lives in Italy and the regulations for crossover periods are different I believe

Ah I see - that's my new bit of info for the day then

As for time scale, ....... if it was one of my average pupils I think December would be too soon.

and I agree.

I think you should follow the teacher's advice - she is the one who knows your son's playing, and if she thinks he could do it, I expect she is right. If you think it would motivate him to have an exam to work towards, go for it!

Try to encourage him to work on his scales for a short period (5 minutes?) each time he practises. That way, he can build up slowly and not have to do it all in a panic in November. He can do them to different rhythms and at different volumes if it helps alleviate boredom, but he must get the fingering right and try to make every note sound equally loud - that's what it's all about.

I think a year is a long time between grades 1 and 2 for a 12 year old. If he doesn't do it in November, maybe March would be better than waiting for next June.

Yes, we use exactly the same books, but the last exam for those books is in December and the deadline for applications is 29 Sept.

Since I already have enough on my plate, I think we'll do it next June.

Of course, he won't be able to use Garage Sale, but he'll have more time to explore other music besides grade pieces!


Steve



We can only do them in June and December here.

But who knows? Maybe we can aim for Grade 3?


Steve

I'm pretty sure you can use the 2007 - 8 pieces for the whole of next year in Italy. Have a look here:

http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/regs/inte.../overlap.html#b

Although if he does decide to do it in November, I might see you there - I have just booked my Grade 5 Piano!

Interested to know though, what was the reason for your son only "scrapping" a pass...?

What it nerves? If so, then perhaps looking at some helpful hints on overcoming nerves on the day could boost his chances of performing to the teachers expectations of his true standard..

just a thought as I took grade 1 and 2 as an 8 yr old with not many months in between, but not a nervous kid though but I did see some other pupils in the waiting areas VERY nervous and I could hear them go in a perform ahead of me.