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.

Sound like a mini-musician!

When we moved I asked a local music shop for recommendations and got a brilliant teacher, they told me she was young and keen and she was.

Should be very doable. At that stage my children were taking a grade a term (alternating instruments) so on each instrument they went up a grade every two terms.

Sight-reading on orchestral instrument will be important, so it's good that he is strong on that.

I don't necessarily agree that he would have more chance on a different instrument. Orchestras need far more violinists than anything else. I guess it depends on the individual school though.

I emailed DSs teacher asking again how long it will take to reach grade 4 and she emailed me back saying something between 18 and 24 months because there is a big gap between the grades 3 and 4. I guess I definitely should start looking for a new teacher then.

Yes, it's very doable. If you're in central London, have you/he considered auditioning for either the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music or the Centre for Young Musicians (part of the Guildhall School) for their Saturday programmes?

”there is a big gap between the grades 3 and 4”

DS1’s teacher recommended he skip grade 4 because the gap wasn’t big enough! As I say, he went from 3 to 5 in a year.

daisypond, unfortunately we can’t do Saturdays, that’s why he can’t join most orchestras and junior departments.

Oh, the big gap. That's another one. Have heard that a couple of times too. There wasn't a big gap for DD, she went from g2 to g4 in 6 months. Sounds like she doesn't want him to progress and possibly go off to JD or somewhere else. For children who are really keen, the earlier grades, up to 5 can be rapid, otherwise they will possibly get bored.

Two years is ridiculous if he is as obsessed as you say. What is that in fees?

Nigglenote we are paying 60 per hour.

Okkkaaay. She is going to want to keep you long term. Sorry, but I think she is not thinking about your DS.

Nigglenotes that was my thought exactly, maybe she does not want him to pass the scholarships exam after all.

The school would introduce their own music teachers.

£60/hr! Wowzer.

The teacher is the key here. A teacher you bond with can see you whizz through. A teacher who is unclear and rambling can see you stall.

Breadth is important but can be achieved in lots of ways. A teacher I really rate does a lot of sight reading, enough on the pieces they’re working on and 5-10 mins playing duets with the pupil at the end of the lesson. The latter really brings them on as it avoids that shock of playing with others suddenly when you get an accompanist for exams.

They’re too far north for you but you could ring round local music schools. Many hold local lists of private teachers they rate.

On my second instrument I went from nothing to grade 8 in 4 years and I didn’t find it hard. If he’s musical and loves it he’ll go far.

I know it’s a bit pricey, but she comes to our house, hence the higher fee. But I will be happy to travel if needed.

Please do remember though that passing exams is only part of it and it really shouldn't be a race to grade 8. Students need to develop their skills thoroughly- I've seen many a grade 7+ student who has limited musical skill or knowledge having only ever learned exam pieces.

I agree with Spamalotta. The entry level is likely that the child has to be playing at a certain level, not that they have to have passed that particular exam. The exam is mentioned to indicate the standard required.

You could find a Saturday morning music school which included theory, singing, orchestra and an individual lesson near us and have change from £40 per week

No, its not a race. But there is competition. And my comments are not at all anti teacher. There are lots of fabulous teachers, many of whom go beyond the call of duty. And some who have their eye on their priorities too.

I agree, Spam, that if a child just plays exam pieces, there will be a problem at g7/8. But I think it is possible to have your eye on the goal and have a wide repertoire. For DD, she has NCO, county strings, a different group of large ensemble and quartet and NSSO. I seem to spend half my time printing out the next sheet music needed. Done wonders for sight reading though!

Btw from bitter experience better to be playing g5 standard without having done the exam than take the exam and not have the distinction. Don’t give the teachers doing the audition any chance to think you are not at standard. You don’t need to have done the exam - just need a letter from teacher to say you are appropriate standard to get the audition then it’s up to your dc to perform!

Very true, Petra, very true. Somehow ds managed to scrape a distinction at grade 5 in his second instrument, which has made us all very relieved re his scholarship auditions.

Do you know what standard the pupils were who have got the scholarship in previous years? Not to put you off, but one of mine applied for a music place at a couple of state comprehensive schools (both comprehensives) - DD had passed grade 5 with distinction (not the violin) at aged 10 - and was at one of the Saturday music schools I mentioned earlier, and didn't get any offers. The places went to those who were already at grade 7/8 standard.

Daisypond, I know somebody who got it last year at 11+ with grade 3 piano, but was playing grade 5 pieces and also was a very good singer without any grades. But the school website says “at least grade 4 standard at 10+ and grade 5 distinction at 11+”.

He sounds very able and committed.
So they don't need to have the exam certificate, just be at grade 4 level. Which it sounds like he already more or less is, with 18 months to go? If I've understood correctly.
It's not about being the highest grade or performing something technically demanding for the audition, it's about playing with musicality and showing potential. Best to play pieces they're really comfortable with and nail them, than attempt something that really stretches them and mess up.
The teacher sounds awful, as pp said, find another one and see what they think. Some talented kids like taking exams and are really motivated by it.
The scholarship and taking exams are two different issues imo, although working on his sightreading, scales and aural will never be wasted time if he doesn't do an exam. For a talented kid already at g3/4 to do g5 in 18 months is absolutely doable - I wouldn't rush it for the scholarship though, better to get a distinction a bit later than scrape through in a panic. He has loads of time though. Good luck to him.

The key will be to have the grades necessary to make sure he gets invited for audition, and it sounds like grade 3 is good enough for that. Then choose audition piece(s) wisely.

My children's school advised parents not to go for the most difficult thing that their child could play. They wanted children to demonstrate their musicality, which is easier to do on a piece that is well within their ability level than on something that they can only just play. Most parents seemed to ignore this though!

I agree with others that 18-24 months is a ridiculously long time to get from grade 3-4. However, there may be particular reasons why the teacher thinks that is appropriate for your child. I would challenge her on that, especially if sight reading is not an issue.

Broken11Girl, thank you! We are going to try several schools, he still has to pass the academic exam before trying for a scholarship. Some schools want to see the actual certificate.