Is it possible? 2 grades in 18 months on violin

[Dietsmakemeangry]

Do you think it is realistic to try and prepare a grade 3 reasonably musical child to pass grade 5 exam in violin (while skipping grade 4 in the process)? DS is good at sight reading (his strongest skill), but need to get to grade 5 distinction in order to try for a scholarship at his preferred secondary school.

I think yes it is possible if his sight reading is good (and his aural as well), and he plays in a few ensembles, and is prepared to practise a lot.

My DD’s violin teacher says she is playing at about grade 5 level, 10 months after getting a distinction in her grade 3, but tbh she was probably over that level at that time, and she has a way to go to consolidate the various skills.

What does his teacher say?

He does not play in any ensembles. His teacher always telling me one thing but then changes deadlines and goalposts again. He was ready to do his exam in December, then she decided that April will be better because he will be guaranteed a distinction but for some reason did not enter him for exams. Now she is saying he is pass grade 3, but will be doing his exam in June anyway. He is progressing faster on his other instruments that he picked up only recently, violin is his main instrument, but it looks like soon it won’t be. Ideally he needs to get a scholarship to pay for his music tuition because after paying his school fees we won’t be in a position of paying for music anymore which is going to be devastating for him as it is his passion.

Will grade 5 distinction be enough on violin? It is usually a quite competitive instrument as there are so many violin players and it’s the instrument people tend to plough through the grades at the youngest age (followed by piano). If it was grade 5 oboe, horn or double bass it would be more competitive for a music scholarship.

Also, does your child actually need the grade or do they simply need to be that standard? Is it for 11+ or 13+?

It’s for 10+, he needs to be at least grade 4, that’s why I am pushing for grade 5 to be on a safe side.

He is playing grade 4 pieces since last year, it’s just his teacher is not bothered about exams that much.

If he was playing Grade 4 pieces last year, Grade 5 would be the next logical step I would imagine. It shouldn't take 18 months though!

Oh okay, that’s much more reasonable: at that age he should be able to do it, with enough practise. What are the other instruments? Is he doing theory? That will always look good on a scholarship application, and if you get a good teacher, is a subject where you can get to grade 5 pretty quickly (but grade 6+ is much harder).

He is doing a theory club and passed grade 3 theory exam with distinction. He also plays piano and got to grade 2 in 7 months from scratch, just passed with distinction. He also doing another instrument which I don’t want to mention, as it is quite rare and might be outing.

That sounds pretty good for a chance at 10+ scholarships. If he can get grade 5 theory under his belt too (might take a bit of work in the summer holiday, to take the test in December) that’ll look very good.

Yes I would say he would be a very strong candidate. That’s excellent progress in piano as second instrument and I agree that doing music theory “properly”and not just paying lip service to grade 5 will set him apart a bit. Good luck!

Yes Ds went from grade 3 to grade 5 in under 9 months at the same age ( but was probably well above grade 3 standard when he took the exam) brilliant progress on the piano !! Good luck

Thank you! I am so frustrated with the teacher, maybe it’s time to start looking for a new one.

Yes the information you are getting from the teacher doesn't sound particularly clear and it would frustrate me too . Ds had different teachers for grade 3 and grade 5 .

I also don't understand why she's entering him for grade 3 if he can play grade 4 pieces ? Is he playing these in his lessons . In some ways IMO it's great if she doesn't focus heavily on exams as I think there's a lot more to music than passing them but that's not helpful if you are going for music scholarships. Have you explained this to her ? Interestingly Ds wouldn't have got a music scholarship aged 10 and might not now as he's still not sat a piano exam ( though is around grade 5 ). For him it's all about playing the trumpet and private school music scholarships are looking for something different - which it sounds like your ds might have - they want pupils who will be involved in the musical life of the school on more than one instrument . I'd say go for it

Thank you Trumpet. Sometimes I get a feeling the teacher is there just for the money, she does not show much interest in DS’s progress, unlike his piano teacher who is more invested in her students and genuinely wants them to do well and reach their potential. The problem is I don’t know how to find a good teacher, we tried a few and this one is the best so far, (we had some very incompetent teachers in the past). I would not be as bothered about grades, but there is no way we could afford music lessons on top of the school fees.

Why are you still using that teacher?

DS1 did grade 5 last July when he was two months past his 10th birthday, a year after passing his grade 3. He’s now working on his grade 6 and got a music scholarship for secondary school at an audition in January.

Perfectly normal to skip grades. I did 3,5,7,8 myself.

My dc has done grade 2, 4, 5, 7 & 8.
My 10 yr is currently working on grade 7, but with no rush to do the exam. While schools say grade 5 minimum, you should be aware that there will be dc that have done grade 7/8 in a couple of instruments by y5 or 6.

I don’t know how to find a better teacher. I feel guilty every time when I ask about the next exam, I don’t want to sound like a pushy mum. She is never keen to discuss it, gives me vague timelines, then changes them. DS plays a wide repertoire, which feels quite random. But I am not a musical person and till recently was following the teacher’s lead. He was with her since age 4 and made a very quick progress in the first few years.

Does he have any friends who play ? Recommendations are the best way of finding new teachers . You could also look up music tutors on google most would offer a free trial lesson . Does his school offer lessons ?

Which area are you in OP? People might be able to help with suggestions.

This is where playing in orchestras helps- you can ask others for teacher recommendations. Are there any youth orchestras or ensembles near you he could join?

Or can you find out which teacher he’d have if he had lessons at the preferred secondary school and see if he/she also teaches privately?

Flowery, what an excellent idea! We live quite central, so ideally looking for a teacher in Kensington/Chelsea area.

Diets, my DD is 10 and doing g6 violin in July. She changed teacher in January, as her previous teacher was similar to yours. DD went from g2 to g5 last year, not without huge complaining and digs by her teacher. After g5 she wanted to put a stop to exams for a year, so we found a new, lovely teacher who has just said DD is already g6 standard. Have to travel though.

This is a control thing. Teachers like this make you feel pushy, and in contrast, their higher goal is musicianship and a wide repertoire. The thing is, it is not some altruistic endeavour. They are being paid and, I think, should take notice of the child/parents goals.

The agreement to take an exam, moving it, then not entering him is typical of this type of thinking. And not very motivating for your son. I was a bit like you about moving DD but it has worked out very well. Her former violin teacher still teaches her piano but that has to stop now too, as she said DD was being entered for g2 spring exams, and then changed her mind because DD had a violin audition and she thought the "stress" would be too much.

When/if you approach a new teacher, do tell her from the start what your goals are. If you have a musical child, this shouldn't be a problem. You could also tell them that you are looking for a new teacher as the former one wasn't a good fit as she was very relaxed about goals. You're in central London, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a motivating teacher. Makes the world of difference.

I'm sure others will disagree, but frankly, music lessons and everything around it has a financial cost and you have not unreasonable plans, which are quite common. If she is not on board you should find someone who is.

We were at a violin workshop over the last few days, and one of mothers has a 10 year old post g8 daughter about to go to a music school. They had changed teachers several times, because, the mum said, with a dismissive wave of her hand, they didn't appreciate the bigger plan. I understand that takes a certain confidence.

Thank you nigglenotes. I thought I was unreasonable and was expecting too much, but after seeing his progress on piano and his other instrument I feel like she is wasting our time. DS is highly motivated, I have to actually limit his playing time, he is obsessed with playing music, I have to drag him out of the house for physical activities and other clubs.