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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Skipping Grade 1 piano?

34 replies

PyjamaMamma · 30/09/2021 12:12

Hi there - just looking for a bit of advice. DD started learning the piano last October and according to her teacher was ready for the grade 1 exam over summer. I booked the exam but DD decided she didn't want to take it, so I cancelled. DD's teacher was not best pleased but accepted that DD was anxious about it and they continued to practice with a view to take the exam this autumn instead.

Last week her teacher told me the exam bookings would open this week and asked me to book it. I asked DD if she was ok to take the exam this time and she said she wouldn't mind taking the exam but isn't bothered by having the certificate. Then she had a piano lesson yesterday and her teacher offered two options: taking the exam in November (she is ready for this) or skipping grade 1 and going straight for grade 2 next summer. DD is happy to just skip ahead and prepare for the summer exam.

Now, I am not a musical person and don't have much of a clue about exams at all, so I would like to ask all you knowledgeable people if there are any advantages to having all grades or if it's fine to skip. Is grade 1 particularly important? Any advice welcome. Please and thank you Smile

OP posts:
chesirecat99 · 30/09/2021 12:38

It's fine and common to skip. When I was learning, some instruments started at grade 3, there were no grade1/2 exams, eg woodwind.

Although, if she was nervous before but she seems happier to take it now, maybe it's not a bad idea to give it a go for "fun"? Perhaps pitch it as a trial to see if she likes exams?

Original poster
PyjamaMamma · 30/09/2021 12:38

Good point about being a practice run, thank you. I had read that is more usual to skip the even numbered exams but wasn't sure if there was a case for skipping others. She definitely seems more relaxed at the thought of the exam now than she was back in June though, which is probably a good sign (for taking the exam).

OP posts:
Musictimesthree · 30/09/2021 12:33

My children have skipped grades as they’ve gone along but did grade 1 in each instrument. I think it was important in getting them used to exams and building confidence for the future.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 30/09/2021 12:32

No need to take any grades. As long as your DD's teacher has covered the grade 1 syllabus in terms of sight reading, scales and aural it isn't a problem.
DS1's first piano grade was grade 3, his first saxophone grade was 4 and DS2's first organ grade was 7.

polar81 · 30/09/2021 12:26

My daughter DD (then 7) started the piano at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 and took her grade 1 in December 2020. She has now skipped grade 2 and is taking grade 3 piano in December 2021. She's really keen to take the exams and has played lots of other non-grade material too, so skipping has worked best for her. If she wants to do more grades after this, then I imagine she'd go for grade 5 next.

Incidentally, I learnt piano and clarinet as a child/ teenager and only ever took grade 5 and then 8 on both- it seemed rare for anyone to sit every grade exam.

purplesequins · 30/09/2021 12:21

I would take it as practice run.

whiteroseredrose · 30/09/2021 12:20

DS skipped various grades as he went along. I don't think it is that unusual.

VimFuego101 · 30/09/2021 12:19

I agree, I would treat grade 1 as a practise run.

underneaththeash · 30/09/2021 12:13

I think it's a good idea to do grade 1, even it's it just to get used the format of the exam (especially if she was nervous last time).