Hello! I felt I was making the general music chat thread all about me, so would move my ramblings to a thread of my own. I may be being egotistical. Advice, support and 
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from the lovely musical ladies I already talk to and anyone else appreciated and much needed!
I played the piano (and clarinet) as a kid/ teen, never felt like a natural musician, especially pianist, but loved it. Got grade 5 clarinet (on second attempt 
) I returned to piano in April on my cheap Argos keyboard, and had the insane ambitious idea to do grade 4. Said exam is on Thursday.
I used a piano in my local community centre for a while but had to get an actual piano. I have terrible credit 
but the credit union finally agreed to a loan and my digital piano came home about 3 weeks ago.
I have struggled, quite honestly, to the point where 2 weeks ago my teacher felt I didn't know the scales, lacked regular pulse in my playing and basically wouldn't pass. Last week, much hard work later, she was amazed quite impressed and feels I will definitely pass. I was all set to continue practicing my ass off.
However, the headphones broke off in the jack of my piano, and despite trying everything on YouTube, and raiding Robert Dyas, I can't get the broken off part out. I will be phoning the unnamed for now company in the morning to see if they can repair or replace look out for an angry AIBU if not.
I really needed the couple of days' practice, so very 
right now. I did some silent scales practice, thanks for the idea Alexandra, and have been using the old keyboard for now - lucky I hadn't got around to selling it.
Scales are now there after Cote-like many hours of practice. I was quite discouraged by how much harder it is to remember them all as an adult opposed to a teen, but have got to the point where muscle memory kicked in now. Some of them are a bit slower than the recommended speed, some I can do faster, as long as they're correct and have a pulse...guessing the examiner won't sit there with a metronome and mark me down for going slightly less than minim=52.
Aural is my weakest point. I can do the clapping and features stuff but can't sing. I mean, literally can't. I heard someone describe it as not knowing how to play the instrument that is their vocal cords. I have improved, have been trying to sing along to anything, whatever I put on cds/ iTunes, even TV theme tunes my Family Guy after a is amusing and belting out tunes from Les Mis, all to my cat's disgust. I have made progress, can more or less carry a tune with someone to sing along to. I have all the apps and can sort of do the sight singing, may not get all the notes but am not miles away, but the singing back a phrase still eludes me. I think I will just accept I won't do well - by my calculations it's still possible to pass without passing aural. as you get 7 marks just for having a try. I'm also useless at sight-reading, but will try to just keep going and make up notes if necessary to keep the rhythm.
Pieces - Haydn's minuet and trip from Sonata in A flat major, Ninette's Musette by George Nevada, and Uzbuna by Bruno Bjeliniski. The Haydn is probably the best. Ninette's Musette is the most challenging, with pedalling and generally, but have worked hardest on it - after all the struggle, it's probably my favourite now. Uzbuna is fine, love it as it's quirky and bouncy, teacher even said it was full of life.
I have been dealing with a lot including physical and mental health issues and music has been such a sanctuary.
Nerves are my main worry, going to try to go in there and even enjoy it 
whatever happens, I'm glad I did it, despite my many complaints indicating otherwise.
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Broken's Grade 4 Piano Thread
Broken11Girl · 10/07/2017 01:50
It sounds like you've put in a fair amount of effort! Well done for impressing the teacher. 
Good luck with the headphones!
I think you can pass without the aural. For sight-reading - someone recommended Paul Harris' Improve Your Sight-reading. I think they are quite nice books, though perhaps you shouldn't worry about this a couple of days before your exam ...
Good luck!
Omg you're brave,I'm learning as an adult but not doing grades as it would kill me!!! Good luck
I didn't play for 20+ years too.
I didn't try to do scales again. I just find pieces I like and go at it until I can play them. 
Thanks all!
Hi Broccoli, yup proper weighted keys. Silent practice is a good idea, has been amazingly useful.
No, sadly no piano owning friends nearby Cote.
Jump on user, welcome. We're so similar! I'm relying on the scales and pieces. It'll come back as Never said, I was murdering grade 2 pieces at first - 20 years here too. All support is welcome! (And yes, get a proper username ) Second Cote, check out the general instrument players thread too.
I like scales
So I have practiced both silently and on the keyboard. I'm making stupid mistakes I hadn't made before 
great. I know them 
Piano is being picked up tomorrow. Not sure if replacement is being delivered as well, or another day. Doesn't matter at this stage really.
Piano wasn't picked up because the morons went to the wrong address
Feeling very down about exam and anxiety through the roof. Feel nauseous already. No I won't ask for beta blockers she said...nerves are good for performance...
Slap me if I ever talk about entering an exam again.
I don't think I played any of the pieces through adequately tonight.
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LOL. I don't generally go and pick holes in other people's grammar for fun, though some people seem to like it. I do that in my day job though. I love telling people how to write. But not socially. That's why I still have friends. (At least I hope so ...)
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