
Post-grade 1 problem?
#1
Posted 19 July 2019 - 17:56
Then a pupil who took grade 1 at Easter has had two long stints of not really practising, due to school exams and school play. I would explain that doing even a small amount of practise each day in a routine is the way to progress. But parents would back up the view that she has just been too busy.
What do others do after grade 1? I have plenty of ideas, but so far they are failing to stimulate enough interest. Would love to hear.
#2
Posted 19 July 2019 - 18:04
#3
Posted 19 July 2019 - 20:55
I was thinking those two pieces from Piano Mix 1 might be roughly grade 1 level...PM 1 is meant to be moving from grade 1 to grade 2. Maybe not.
She took grade 1 before the syllabus change, so is capable of learning those pieces, imo. But maybe I should have gone down a notch in difficulty after the exam, for refreshment and encouragement!
#4
Posted 19 July 2019 - 22:01
I quite often err on the side of caution after a grade exam, and avoid pushing the level for a few weeks, although of course it depends on the individual too, and some are just raring to move on, and will respond to a challenge. But definitely not all.
I was talking to a family member last week who used to play when younger, and he commented that he never liked moving on, because he preferred playing the pieces he knew! This was a bit of an eye-opener to me, as I tend to think that a term on the same pieces gets just a bit boring, and that starting fresh stuff in the first lesson after an exam is the best part, and always welcome after the repetitive preparation routine.
No concrete suggestions - just a few random thoughts on the post-exam situation.
#5
Posted 20 July 2019 - 07:28
Very difficult for me to know what to say, as I began on grade 3 on both piano and oboe. I wonder if grade 1 is a good place to start - clearly to some it seems like an end - "Phew, grade 1, that's that over and done with, now I'm finished with music." Maybe if they all began on grade 3 or even grade 2, it would seem more like an incomplete journey and they'd be inspired to continue?
#6
Posted 20 July 2019 - 07:43