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Original poster

Music grades as an adult after a long long break

53 replies

colleysmill · 24/01/2016 07:44

In my younger days I used to play my violin to a reasonable standard but it all fell by the wayside when I went to uni and I never played much again.

After a long hiatus (17 years Shock ) I'm back playing regularly, mainly in orchestras and small groups and gradually I've dragged myself back up to a similar standard I was as a teenager.

All good so far and I'm really enjoying playing again. But the bit that's bugging me is that as a teenager (whilst I was playing at around the standard) I never actually did my grade 8 exam. And part of me has always regretted this and now it's like an itch that won't go away.

Part of me thinks I am crazy to even consider it - I've a family, full on job and playing for a number of groups on an ad hoc basis (who knew violinists would be so in demand as an adult!) as well as an orchestra(s) but I've looked at the 2016-19 syabullus and found a local teacher.

Has anyone taken high level grades as an adult? And does it differ in terms of confidence than when you are younger? I'd love to hear about anyone's experiences

OP posts:
flowery · 29/01/2016 09:32

DH came home with Paganini's 24 Caprices for me to "have a go at" yesterday. Love his (totally misplaced) faith in my skills! There aren't enough hours in the year for me to get that up to anything resembling what it should sound like...

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 29/01/2016 09:02

I'm trying to learn a new instrument and want to do exams at some point too. My hands aren't very strong and won't learn the fast stuff like they did when I was a child, though - full of tension now. And the aural tests, even for the lower grades, totally throw me, the sing-back one especially. I just can't remember it.

good luck. IMpressive to get to grade 8!

Original poster
colleysmill · 28/01/2016 19:16

Sticking with associated board. Most of my previous exams have been with them (except my grade 5 for some reason!)

Violin is going in on Saturday for its tweaks - I've been warned that it will make my tuning worse initially but it'll be worth it in the long run.

No procrastinating allowed otherwise I may chicken out :)

OP posts:
absolutelynotfabulous · 28/01/2016 08:06

Which Board are you going with? Please keep us updated!

Original poster
colleysmill · 28/01/2016 07:10

Oh and unsurprisingly my scale book is way out of date - I've ordered a new one!! :)

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Original poster
colleysmill · 28/01/2016 07:09

Quick update

Well last night went better than I expected - interestingly the things I was concerned about (tuning, sight reading) he didn't think were an issue but there are tweaks to do technically (but aren't there always)

The biggest thing I need to work on is styling and getting the tone right for the different periods so this week we are going to individually look at the grid 8 pieces and decide together next week which ones I'm going to do and then start with some separate pieces to get the tone right before tackling the syabullus ones.

I finally know why I find double stopping so hard (violin needs some string adjustment but there is a workshop locally who can sort that out).

I'm really doing this!!!

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goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 27/01/2016 23:12

When I turned 40 I decided I had to have a goal and get my Grade 8 piano. I took grade 7 last year and passed and am working on Grade 8. Fitting in serious practise is a challenge at times when working and with children. However I see it as 'my time' and can forget about every thing else.

The exam last year was pretty terrifying. I don't ever remember music exams being that scary when young. However there were other much older exam candidates and the examiner was much friendlier than I remember the exam situation to be. When I passed I felt such a huge sense of achievement and am so glad I did it. Grade 8 is going to be very tough but am up for the challenge!

Good luck with yours. Don't worry if you have to go back a few steps first. You will probably have to play everything really slowly to start with which can be frustrating!

Original poster
colleysmill · 27/01/2016 18:27

Well I had a little practice yesterday and I think I've got a longer road than I first thought!

Never mind I shall see how tonight goes! I'm excited but nervous. Thank you for all the supportive messages

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absolutelynotfabulous · 27/01/2016 15:24

Hi OP. I had the same itch and was fortunate enough to be able to scratch it. I took two Grade 8s last year and somehow managed to pass!!

I'm partway through two diplomas now.

Edit: that's piano G8 practical and theory, through LCM.

Jenijena · 26/01/2016 19:58

In a very similar position, with piano. It's on my list, one day, but not yet. And the scales, oh the scales...

IrenetheQuaint · 26/01/2016 19:46

Oh good luck! I have a similar history with the viola and would love to do this one day.

randomsabreuse · 26/01/2016 19:38

Did my G8 after a 12 year gap. Aural was the killer! First problem was hearing the lowest part - played a lot of Alto flute in an ensemble and consciously listened for the bass in church. Then remembering it. Cadences were ok but chord before cadence was impossible for me.

Good luck!

Jumperooathon · 26/01/2016 19:33

I find I can only do the aural if I shut my eyes. Try it?

RubberDuck · 26/01/2016 09:55

I don't mind (piano) scales. I'm a computer geek so wrote myself a simple Python program to shuffle them for me for practice purposes!! I like them as a slightly mindless warmup (also do Hanon finger exercises for similar reasons).

It's aural I really struggle with. I've been working my way through these books: Improve Your Aural, but it's becoming increasingly clear that I just don't hear a lot of the differences they expect you to be able to. (Interestingly, I struggle to follow conversations in busy/noisy environments as well, so I wonder if it's the same thing).

Jumperooathon · 26/01/2016 09:47

I did it. They will still have your G5 theory on file somewhere so you don't need physical certificate. Even though I had changed names..

Enjoy scales! That's definitely the worst bit :)

flowery · 26/01/2016 09:28

I'm vaguely toying with this as well. I did grade 8 viola when I was a teenager but never did a single exam on the violin, although I always played both. DH gave me a violin for Christmas and I'm the same standard on that and in terms of playing pieces, wouldn't be too far off I think. Would be nice to have grade 8 violin under my belt so I've got both.

Don't fancy brushing up my scales and aural to grade 8 standard though particularly!

capercaillie · 26/01/2016 09:22

Another here who has the same itch - and was thinking about this the other day! You're already playing regularly which has to be a good start! I'm not so I think it's not the right time for me, although I would love to have a go.

howabout · 26/01/2016 09:18

Definitely interested in knowing how you get on.

Original poster
colleysmill · 26/01/2016 07:32

howabout that's very kind of you but I suspect I have a long way to go yet!

I've got an initial meeting with the teacher tomorrow to see where I am currently and what I've got to do to get to the point of starting it (i hope I'm being realistic!) - we've had a long chat on the phone and he sounds really supportive and encouraging and he does come highly recommended from two friends.

If anyone is interested I will happily update!

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howabout · 25/01/2016 17:17

I am in awe of you for doing this. I play at grade 8 standard but have never done exams. I also teach DD. Putting her forward for her grade 5 (so she would have the confidence of an exam behind her which I lack) was the most stressful thing I have ever done.

Original poster
colleysmill · 25/01/2016 13:23

rubberduck i found my music fell right by the wayside at uni too (except for the choir who had an exceptional good social circle!!)

It does feel slightly daunting - although the pressures these days are much different life is still pretty hectic.

I think the new books are out from what I've seen on the website - I'm going to have to do some serious aural practice (actually this and the sight reading worries me more than the pieces!) But now I've decided to go for it I'm going to give it my best shot

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RubberDuck · 24/01/2016 13:14

I've started playing the piano again after failing my Grade 8 at the age of 18/19 (first year of uni - was a bit distracted and didn't practice enough!)

Teacher started me off playing Grade 6 pieces and scales and slowly working up through. Playing Grade 7 now and hoping to start working on Grade 8 when the new ABRSM books come out - I'll then have two years grace to work on the material before I need to commit to the exam.

Original poster
colleysmill · 24/01/2016 13:03

Ha! Just had a rummage in my music and found a copy of one of the pieces on the list - bowed and fingered and a vague memory of playing it in the past. Would that be cheating ?? Grin

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Original poster
colleysmill · 24/01/2016 12:17

I think I will have to dig around the loft for my theory certificate - I know it would have been early 90's though I think I will need some theory refresher!

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Original poster
colleysmill · 24/01/2016 12:10

Thanks for the replies.

I think you're right - it does feel like unfinished business! I did think about it years ago but with a levels it was all too much pressure, especially as I went into a career completely separate from music.

But now I feel like I need to prove it to myself more than anything. Interestingly as an adult I feel much more confident than I did as a teenager, perhaps a little more forgiving if I make a mistake?

Certainly not under pressure to complete it in a set time scale although I will need to have a goal in mind otherwise it will drift on until the last minute.

I think I already know I'm going to do it :)

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