Grade 8 violin sat and passed after a 23 year gap......am so proud

[DarrellRivers]

I never managed to sit in 6th form at school , A levels and glandular fever caught up with me.
I have been taking lessons over the last few years and sat the exam this term.
Pieces were ok but shakier from nerves than I would have wished, sight reading, scales and aural probably just about a pass mark so was hoping I might just pass
And I have,only just, but who cares a pass is a pass
I can't boast on FB as don't want to seem too boasty, but will do anonymously here. Am quietly pleased inside (it was hard work fitting in the practice and I am relieved I won't have to do it again)

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Congratulations!!!

[SugarandSpice126]

Well done! They're pretty tough! And snap...I'm also a grade 8 violinist ;)

[CheeseAndFriedMushrooms]

Well done! That's brilliant. I have a couple of similar things I would like to complete but I have rubbish willpower

[DarrellRivers]

Thank-you for your good wishes
I was surprised how shaky I was, my legs went all wobbly
Thank goodness never again!

[ErrolTheDragon]

Wow, that's really quite awesome!

[Spherical]

Well done!

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Fantastic! Congratulations! That is a real achievement. I only made it to Grade 3 piano... Grade 8 must be so tough. Lots of long hours and hard work.

I hope you can have a proper RL celebration with people who are proud of you too!

[bettybyebye]

Congratulations! That is a huge achievement, especially after such a long break. I made it to grade 6 tenor horn 16 years ago, now I'm inspired

[IslaValargeone]

Ah, that's fabulous

[somersethouse]

Amazing! Well done, really well done. Violin of all things... to me the hardest.

I have grade 6 clarinet and piano and sax and could play any recorder you could throw at me but have not played either for 20 years. Picked up a descant recorder the other day and was horrified that I seem to have forgotton how to read music.

Your thread has given me hope and I am going to make it my new resolution to just try and get back to previous standard. (Not grade 8 though!)

Is it like riding a bike, I hope I can relearn quickly.

CONGRATULATIONS!

[DarrellRivers]

It was my New Years resolution to pass the exam
It has been really good for me to do something different to my everyday job
Refreshing for the brain
Good luck to all those who decide to start again, it is worth it

[TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet]

Well done and nice to see you
not really here

[DarrellRivers]

thanks and a wave back

[Rooners]

Wow, that's amazing Darrell. You are right to be proud.

I took my grade 7 when I was a nipper (13 I seem to remember) and got a distinction which I was told, was equivalent to grade 8 standard...not so sure...I was sooo lazy about practising, and just bluffed it really.

I never took grade 8 and now I'm pretty rubbish tbh.
I don't think I could cope with taking another exam so I am in awe of you!

[AntoinetteCosway]

Wow-congratulations!

[Blushingm]

Wow - congratulations!!!!! That's a fantastic achievement

I got to grade 6 clarinet and then went off the rails - you may have inspired me get it out, dust it off and maybe start playing

[ShirtySocks]

Excellent! Well done

A fantastic achievement!

[Cooroo]

Grade 8 is a fantastic achievement! I've started piano lessons after a 35 year break and I'm retaking grade 5 in May - it's a very different experience for me as an adult. I am thinking much more about my performance, my interpretation of the pieces - and I'm practising more!

[boogiewoogie]

Well Done OP. It is very satisfying taking up an instrument as an adult. Unfortunately for me, I was so truamatised by my first violin exam that I gave it up several years later and convinced that I was never going to play another instrument or sit another music exam. That was 24 years ago.

However, I accidentally discovered that I liked the piano so took lessons and 18 months later sat a grade 5 exam. Yesterday, I found out that I passed with distinction! I feel very proud.

[UnionofMultitaskers]

That's amazing!! I did violin at school. Sooo tough. Brag brag brag its amazing!

[trixymalixy]

Well done!! I played the flute to grade 8 standard and did very well in my music higher, but never actually sat the grade 8 exam. it's one of my regrets in life and I have often thought about taking it up again just to say I have grade 8.

[oohdaddypig]

Wow OP. that's amazing. How many lessons did you have to get you through it?

(Love your name btw.i think you are my kindred spirit)

[PacificDogwood]

Congratulations!
You are rightly proud and should proclaim your achievement loud and proud - FB seems perfect for this kind of thing IMO (disclaimer: I had FB and have deregistered).
I have just started taking piano lessons again after a 25+ year gap - I doubt I could pass grade 1 just now…

[iloverhubarbcrumble]

Fantastic! Are you still playing (just noticed the date)!
You mean you just plumped straight into grade 8? My god!

I am aiming to reach my zenith with grade 7 this summer, yes violin,which I restarted after a 30 year gap (old) and have so far redone grades 5 and 6. But I never got 7, it will be the first time! And that will be it, the absolute limit of my capability.

Again, congratulations, what an achievement. Are you playing in any groups now, for fun? Can't stop now.