Is it possible for a P1 student to reach piano grade 8?
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Was told by ds that someone in his P1 cohort has attained/or is going for grade 8 piano practical exams. I was very surprise to hear this as that is extremely fast progress imo.
Is this a common phenomenon? -
markfch:
Not common but not impossible if the child starts really young and has talent in musicWas told by ds that someone in his P1 cohort has attained/or is going for grade 8 piano practical exams. I was very surprise to hear this as that is extremely fast progress imo.
Is this a common phenomenon?
More common is probably grade 2 or 3 in P1 -
markfch:
No, it is not a common phenomenon. However, I would not discount this possibility that a child can get grade 8 in P1. Although the only way I think this can be done is if the child starts really young from 3 or 4 years old and with more than three lessons per week. And of course the child must have enough musical aptitude.Was told by ds that someone in his P1 cohort has attained/or is going for grade 8 piano practical exams. I was very surprise to hear this as that is extremely fast progress imo.
Is this a common phenomenon?
My advice as a teacher to parents are not to concern too much about these seemingly impossible accomplishments by other kids. Most important is to pace your child accordingly to his/her ability and schedule. After all the end goal of picking up music is too develop lifelong appreciation for music so your child can be more well rounded, not to see who can finish grade 8 faster.
If a child starts at the age of 4 or 5, by the time he/she is P1 should be able to take grade 1-3 depending on the child and parent. -
Prodigy!
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Rare, but not impossible. A combination of a great teacher with a brilliant and talented child who is willing to work can make that happen. But far too often, the poor chilld is forced and that eventually kills any passion in him/her. Here is a performance of a 6-year old who would have had no problem topping her grade 8 exam!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tWdpsBfPVE&feature=related -
A lot of dedication, hard work and a dose of talent.
I had the opportunity to learn in a Junior music school in UK when I was in my teens and my peers, majority of them, had not even gotten their grade 8, whereas I had completed my Diploma, but their musical maturity, technic, was no less than mine, if not, some were better than mine! -
Thanks for all the replies. That friend ds knew must be super talented
Dreamaurora:
No I'm defintely not comparing. DS has been taking 1 to 1 piano lessons for 3 yrs now and we're in no hurry for him to take any graded exams. In fact, I've asked his piano teacher not to let ds skip any grades and to only register him when she feels that he has a good chance to get a distinction.My advice as a teacher to parents are not to concern too much about these seemingly impossible accomplishments by other kids. Most important is to pace your child accordingly to his/her ability and schedule. After all the end goal of picking up music is too develop lifelong appreciation for music so your child can be more well rounded, not to see who can finish grade 8 faster.
Yes, I agree that music is a lifelong journey. As far as I'm concerned, what's the rush?
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For grade 8 practical, I think one has to pass grade 5 theory. IMHO, it is tougher for a 6 years old to pass grade 5 theory, then probably passing the grade 8 practical.
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fristrom:
For grade 8 practical, I think one has to pass grade 5 theory. IMHO, it is tougher for a 6 years old to pass grade 5 theory, then probably passing the grade 8 practical.
Can take Trinity exams grade 8. No need theory. In fact, can go straight to ATCL diploma with no need for Gr 8 exam! -
Wouldn’t finger span and height be an issue, though? My DS1, who is in P1, has difficulty playing notes an octave apart coz his fingers are not long enough. Also, when he has to play the pedal, he is half sitting and half standing to reach the pedal.
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