Grade 1 Violin failure

[Honeymum]

I've just had a text from my DD's violin teacher to say she's failed grade 1.

She has been with him for almost 2 years and has practiced regularly, particularly since we've been preparing for the exam (since last September). To my untrained ear the pieces sounded fine. After the exam the teacher (who accompanied her on the piano) said she had done well and he was pleased.

The scales and sight reading are done with the examiner only so he didn't hear these.

By text he said she talked through the pieces but I will get full story tomorrow.

I wanted to know how common it is to fail grade 1? Is it DD or the teacher? Should I try to switch?

Thanks

[JulieMichelleRobinson]

Basically... if you can afford it, spend a minimum of £300-£400. An instrument in that price range will probably last up until grade 8 if correctly set up (I'm pretty sure I took my grade 8 before we upgraded).

Make sure you put on decent strings - if you've been using Astreas or equivalent, move to Dominants or equivalent (i.e. £50 strings not £20 strings).

To pick names out of a hat: Hidersine, Paesold, Gewa, or a luthier-named instrument.

If buying a bow separately, it should be 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of the instrument, which seems a bit crazy but makes a difference.

Ideally, you should actually go to a specialist violin shop and try a few out.

[Wafflenose]

I remember this lovely thread! I'm so glad she is still playing and enjoying the violin, and congratulations to her on passing Grade 4!

[coconut0]

I've just read this entire thread and I am so pleased it all worked out in the end. My 8 year old DD has been learning the violin for a year and has just done her prep test. For anyone who doesn't know what this is (it didn't exist in my time) it is like a beginner's exam where the child learns 3 pieces off by heart, 2 pieces with music and does simple aural exercises. It isn't pass or fail and they get a certificate with detailed comments before leaving the room. Although it costs about £40 it gives them an idea of what it will be like in a real exam and has given DD extra confidence (she is fairly confident anyway) and has made her look forward to the next stages of her musical journey.

[loomyviolin12]

I find that failing is not such a big thing. Maybe it was stress or the first time he took an exam? the violin teacher should be switched if she is really bad and doesnt know her thing.

www.violinlessonssingapore.net/

This is a violin school my kids learn from. Maybe they can help :)

[HoneywithLemon]

I thought I would update this thread as I know it's been helpful to some.

DD (now 14) has now passed grade 5, just missing a merit by one mark! She's really enjoying her playing, is a member of a couple of ensembles at school (lots of opportunities for music at school generally) and plays with a local youth orchestra and a string group each week. She went to Germany on tour with the youth orchestra last year and loved it. As a non-musician myself I am really pleased with her progress and despite the blood, sweat, tears (mine) and money, I pat myself on the back for providing her with the opportunity and sticking with it through the hard times. I should add that she herself has never wanted to give up.

[HumphreyCobblers]

That is great! Well done to your DD!

I have been very entertained by this thread, having children who do the Suzuki method of playing, which has NO exams but still manages to produce lovely musicians.

[Icouldbeknitting]

I just read the thread (I wasn't here in 2011) and I'm so glad that everything worked out well in the end. Thank you for the update, I do love a happy ending.

[howabout]

This is a fantastic story Honey. It is so lovely to read about how well your DD is doing even after such an inauspicious start. I failed the school music aptitude test aged 7 and only got into lessons because my friend asked the teacher for me when someone else dropped out. I am still playing 40 years later and teach my own DDs who are the same age and standard as yours. Loads of really good points on this thread about what to look for in a teacher and how to prepare for the exams. I didn't put mine in for the lower grades and didn't teach to the syllabus. It was a huge ask for them to go in cold to grade 5 but we side stepped some of the issues of earlier grades with non instrument specialist examiners.

Having rtft I now realise my DDs are not actually that deprived having to put up with me for a teacher. Thank you

Congratulations to your DD and please keep updating.

[ealingwestmum]

Just love this thread. Well done to your DD honey. Persevering with something that may not be at first, intuitive is such a great lesson in life. Both of you absolutely do deserve a pat on the back!

[LooseAtTheSeams]

What a lovely story! Congratulations to both of you! It's a really heart-warming thread.

[Greenleave]

Many times its important that we dont give up on them. Your story is truly heart warming, many congratulations to you both. Please keep updating!

[Noteventhebestdrummer]

Congratulations on the Grade 5, that's a wonderful level to reach. I've followed your story from the start and you made a difference to my teaching so thank you.

[blearynweary]

Ha! I remember this! How brilliant. Thanks so much for the update and we'll done to your dd!

[80schild]

Just read this thread as I am.thinking about embarking on a journey to becoming a music teacher. I am using it as a list of not what to do. Pleased to hear your daughter loves it.

[Wafflenose]

Grade 5, wow! Thanks for coming back to update us again.

[onlymusic]

This is such an inspirational thread! It is all very well if everything goes smoothly, but to have such a difficult start and to stick to her dream at such a young age and persevere, your dd is such a little hero, OP, I wish her all the luck with her future dreams, I am sure she will achieve everything she wants!

[Ashley45]

Queen Victoria Hospital Orthdontics
Hi my 10 year old son has been referred to hospital, as apparently his teeth haven't come through and maybe being reabsorbed!
Really worried, not sure what they will find and what they will do, does anyone have any experience of this?

Doesn't help I let John Mew , Orthotropics touch his teeth( he has now been suspended)

[Mercime]

Damn! I am old enough to remember this thread and was hoping for an update rather than this odd addition. Ashley45 maybe start your own thread?

[Rightgirlwrongplanet1]

@Honeymum Hey I would be angry too. Especially after all that time and money which you invested. What happened in the end? I'm interested because my daughter has started violin and I want to know what to expect

[Xenia]

that's lovely. It just shows to keep at it. We had a few failurse of exams. Sometimes it's just a stricter examiner or of course it can mean someone is just not up to that grade. It is discouraging. An examiner gave one of my children 101 (pass, just) and that made so much difference in their enthusiasm to do the next grade (which they then did better at).