All About Piano Theory Examinations

[SnowieBob]

LLK:

SnowieBob:

Welcome.

Practical exams must depends on more factors. Her techniques, rhythmic sense and amount of practice too. Most of my students go grade 2 to start off. However if they are very shy and afraid of failure, I ask them to go for grade 1, because at their level of playing, the rate of getting merit and dist is higher which will also gain their confidence. This will make them feel more sense of achievement and willing to go more exams instead of stressing.

But if students are weak to start with, I suggest not to rush for exams. Music is not all about qualifications too, esp young children, getting the interest is very important for them to continue far if they want

my niece has piano grade 8 for practical (high distinction) and just took her grade 8 theory exam recently. She is just 14 years old and her parents now wonder if she should go further to obtain the diploma. My niece is from a top school and very busy with school works and CCA. Any advice pls?

Hi,
It depends what is the aim of getting the diploma. Does she want to teach? Or just the qualification? If she wants to teach, I would probably suggest her to take it after her o levels. Meanwhile she can try to play as many songs from different period and composers to understand each of the pieces. So in the future when she teach, she'll have a better understanding on what she's teaching. And not stop learning after grade 8. Diploma is a big jump from grade 8. Especially for the quick study and viva voce. You need to play the quick study as if you are performing and not the usual sight reading. Hope this helps!

[LLK]

SnowieBob:

LLK:

[quote=\"SnowieBob\"]Welcome.

Practical exams must depends on more factors. Her techniques, rhythmic sense and amount of practice too. Most of my students go grade 2 to start off. However if they are very shy and afraid of failure, I ask them to go for grade 1, because at their level of playing, the rate of getting merit and dist is higher which will also gain their confidence. This will make them feel more sense of achievement and willing to go more exams instead of stressing.

But if students are weak to start with, I suggest not to rush for exams. Music is not all about qualifications too, esp young children, getting the interest is very important for them to continue far if they want

my niece has piano grade 8 for practical (high distinction) and just took her grade 8 theory exam recently. She is just 14 years old and her parents now wonder if she should go further to obtain the diploma. My niece is from a top school and very busy with school works and CCA. Any advice pls?

Hi,
It depends what is the aim of getting the diploma. Does she want to teach? Or just the qualification? If she wants to teach, I would probably suggest her to take it after her o levels. Meanwhile she can try to play as many songs from different period and composers to understand each of the pieces. So in the future when she teach, she'll have a better understanding on what she's teaching. And not stop learning after grade 8. Diploma is a big jump from grade 8. Especially for the quick study and viva voce. You need to play the quick study as if you are performing and not the usual sight reading. Hope this helps![/quote]SnowieBob, Thanks and I think my niece should take her time to learn more new pieces before taking her diploma. But more often then not, many students learning piano or other musical instrument do not have time to practise. They are simple too busy.

[SnowieBob]

Yup I agree. That’s why I wake up very early in the morning and practice if not I simply have no time to do it. Moreover diploma is really not easy. Take your time and slowly brush up all techniques.

[jane84]

I find it strange that parents are discussing what grades to take?

Should n’t this be the responsibility of the teachers to decide?

I have always leave it to the professionals to do it.

[SnowieBob]

jane84:

I find it strange that parents are discussing what grades to take?

Should n't this be the responsibility of the teachers to decide?

I have always leave it to the professionals to do it.

Ya usually is for the teachers. But I ever met parents saying \"my child is already p5 still grade1? Can we don't waste time and go g2-3?\" :roll:
So need to explain to them.

[Faun]

Dear Snowiebob,


My dd taking theory exam next year. There are a lot of Italian, German and other foreign musical words to memorize.

Do you know where I can find an audio CD that has a recording of all the terms and meaning found in the AB Theory Of Music Guidebook? I think it is easier for her to memorize if she knows how to pronounce those terms. The ones especially hard to pronounce are the German.

Thanks in advance.

[SnowieBob]

Faun:

Dear Snowiebob,


My dd taking theory exam next year. There are a lot of Italian, German and other foreign musical words to memorize.

Do you know where I can find an audio CD that has a recording of all the terms and meaning found in the AB Theory Of Music Guidebook? I think it is easier for her to memorize if she knows how to pronounce those terms. The ones especially hard to pronounce are the German.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there, nope currently there isn't any cd that records all the terms. But u can try out the websites where they pronounce all the words.
Try this: http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textl/langsam.html

One of the example on top.
Hope this helps

[Faun]

SnowieBob:

Hi there, nope currently there isn't any cd that records all the terms. But u can try out the websites where they pronounce all the words.
Try this: http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textl/langsam.html

One of the example on top.
Hope this helps

Dear Snowiebob,

On behalf of dd,
:thankyou: This is a very very great help.

:udawoman:

[SnowieBob]

I'm glad that it's useful! Good luck for exams!! Remember to practice some past year papers

[Miracle Child]

Hi,


DS is interested in music i.e. he will pick those pieces he likes to play, even new ones that he hears from the internet and learn to play on his own…however, I think he does not really enjoy the rigidity and perhaps the "more boring" classical training for ABRSM exam. Is there any other course for non-classical piano lessons? Any recommendations on teachers? I would prefer that his love for music be sustained rather than be "killed" by all the ABRSM practical and theory exams…thanks.