Those of you who have musical kids or kids taking grade

[Beetroothasbeenforgotten]

1. Make sure they are getting aural work in the lesson - and if not try to find time yourself to do some with your child. Aural is a part fo the exam and an easy way to get marks if the work is put in before hand.

1. Get them going on theory early - sme great books around. They will come unstuck at grade 5 as they have to have their grade 5 theory before goign on to grade 6 instrument exams. It creeps up and can be a real pain!!

A mother talking from bitter experience!!!

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(DD1 and DD2 both took just Theory 5 exams, btw, in order to take Grade 6 practicals - didn't bother taking 1-4. DSs never got that far )

i am sure if he has had other music lessons he can. see how he gets on. There isa book called Rock school that is good.

BTW ds did a Half term course Called Felix school o rock (fsor) and he loved it. totally diffeent from his nornaml musical experience. In London.

Jan I know!!

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where do you live S

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I'm really shocked at this Beety! Ds2 has been doing aural work and music theory alongside his practical lessons since day 1. Surely any teacher using ABRSM is aware of the aural and theory requirements, and how important they are: for improving musicianship, not just for getting through the dreaded exams.

I passed grade 5 theory and wanted to do 6 on the flute but I just cannot do the aural tests- failed every aural in grades 1-5 - good job I could actually play or I'd have failed the lot.
That is the only thing putting me off doing more grades now i' not at work.

have you thought of putting ds in for a music scholarship?

Roisen I know - as far as ds1 is concerned, no one spoke to each other - and we didn't realise they were not. Now we are things will get moving and it will be easier for the others

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i would try him again. The speicaolist musicians in ds1 year have got grade 8 in one instrument and are grade 5/6 in another but that is not to say that all of them have that.

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is his school state or private - and is it specialist in music?

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Ouch Beety - sorry to hear your children are in this position.

DD's teachers have always been great at doing aural, sightreading and scales as well as the pieces. As they point out, you lose loads of marks if the examiner asks you to do something and you can't! She's examined by ABRSM in piano and Trinity Guildhall in violin and has done G1 theory (ABRSM) more for getting a certificate and a mention in the newsletter iyswim! A huge number of children left the exam as soon as they were allowed - about 45 mins into it.

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dd started grade 5 theory lessons last week, lea organise them for all children doing grade 5 practical. She has grade 5 on cornet in Dec.

Yes, the disadvantage of a music scholarhips as my son knew only too well is you have to play a full part in the musical life of the school. You can't just choose to leave the orchestra on a whim. Mind you I found that compulsion fairly useful discipline on a teenage boy. I think we got about a third off the fees so it's worth trying for if you can get it.

Oh but snorkle how much pressure for a child to not understand what their exam will consist of and be thrown this curve ball? I can understand a confident adult risking that though.

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ds1 already has a huge commitment becasue of the choir and itg helps us financially. He has been asked to go for a percussion scholarship but he is not sure he wants to now. I think he likes the idea of being a 'normal' child!! So we wil see.

TGhe prombelm witht he aural has come from outside the school as dd teacher is not within the school.

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dd took her exam today. she was very upset as she messed up 5 out of 6 of her scales as she was nervous. She thinks the rest went well but scales count for about 21 points I think. Bless her she is fabulous and desearves a distinction - unlikely now though!

the trouble is snorkle - the scholarships are means tested!! So the reduction would not be huge. We will see - his teacher may well convince him and it is not until year 10 (year 8 now)