Grade 3 piece in 6 weeks

[Howsaboutthat]

My youngest is taking his grade 2 piano exam next week, and has now got sick to death of his pieces (as have I!) .

In 6 weeks time he's playing in a concert, and I'm thinking of getting him to start a brand new grade 3 piece (to give him the challenge he's now craving) to play at the concert.

Is this completely unrealistic? I'm not expecting him to be at grade 3 in 6 weeks (i.e. all scales 3 pieces etc), but I don't think getting 1 piece in this time frame is.

To give you an idea of his learning style, he has been learning his 3rd grade 2 piece since end of January, and it is comfortably nailed. But not sure of the step up from grade 2 to grade 3.

[purples]

I've been in similar position with my 2 DCs and always decided to plump for the piece they already know well and can comfortably play. There are enough distractions/ pressures when on stage. Better to play a current grade piece well and with confidence rather than a more complex piece poorly. Learning a new piece from the above grade will use techniques that son doesn't yet know.
I'd get him to play his favourite grade 2 piece.

If he/you are bored with current pieces, then practicing unknown pieces (preferably grade 1 or 2) will help with his sight reading, which is great practise for the exam and also adds a bit of interest.

[1805]

How about something from the 'Up-Grade' books?

[CURIOUSMIND]

I suggest you don't worry about grade 2 or 3, choose a 'concert' piece.A demanding grade 2 piece is nothing not good.
How about Romanze by Beethoven?

But, this is no the best playing, just for your reference.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

If he's playing in a concert, it's all about confidence and you do not want him to fail on the day. Tell him that after his grade 2 next week, he can select something he really likes. Encourage him to go for something he can play easily without more pressure so that he enjoys it.

[Theas18]

Play a slightly easier piece really well for a concert. He needs to do well for his confidence to grow.Doesn't have to be a piece he's sick of, one of the others in the grade 2 books maybe or a repertoire piece ?

[Howsaboutthat]

Thank you for all the input - I'm going to look for Romanze and take a look at the Up-Grade books, and let my ds choose a new piece.

[BackforGood]

Agree with those saying to choose something a little easier for a concert, not something more difficult! Also, something he (and the audience) will enjoy - which usually means something they recognise, IME. Of course, depends on the particular audience.
That said, my dc have all been able to play pieces that are technically more difficult than the exam grade they are working on, as it's all the other bits for the exams they hate, whereas they are motivated to play a song they know.

[Schmedz]

6 weeks is plenty of time to learn a new piece, and there are plenty of pieces which are the 'next grade up' that are actually not that much more difficult than the one just passed. If the piece is appealing, the practise will be done, the motivation will be high and it will be learnt successfully.
Wouldn't worry too much about designated grade level...choose something he likes!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Ditto Schmedz.

I don't think the grade matters at all, unless you are required to play a graded piece. Sometimes/ most of the time the pieces my dd plays/sings in concerts are ungraded piece. A teacher could look at them and estimate from the key and structure, but there should be no need to stick to syllabus pieces.

[ReallyTired]

There is lot more to music than music grades. I feel that playing nothing but grade pieces makes for a sterile and limited musical eduation. There are plenty of simple fun pieces your son could play.

What kind of music is your son into? Playing a range of music improves sight reading dramatically and is less boring. Children still make musical progress if they don't do grades. My son skipped grade 1 and we haven't yet decided whether he is doing grade 3.

My son has the guitar version of this book

www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/02875/details.html

www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/02894/details.html

and has really enjoyed it. I don't know what the piano version is like though.

[Howsaboutthat]

In case anyone's interested after spending a very pleasant hour looking through all the books in local music shop I ended up buying this one: Simply Films www.fabermusicstore.com/Simply-Film-Grades-2-3-0571532705.aspx

It's got Harry Potter in it, my ds loves it, and it's at the right level not too tricky but nor too easy.