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.

Thank you Fifthtime, I am just panicking about paying fees and also paying for there lots of music lessons and theory on top of that. We’ll have to stop all his after school activities if he does not get a scholarship.

*There lots=three lots

You could also try the exam board for lists of registered music teachers in your area.

I played three instruments at secondary school and was sometimes taking two or three exams at the same time. I took every grade for piano, missed a couple with cello and only did 4, 6 and 8 for tuba because they didn’t offer any other grades for that instrument at the time. I also did theory grades 3, 5 and 8.

Like your son I was a music but and my parents made me stay home on Wednesdays to do other school work and no music practice. The other six days I was playing in some music group or other. And practising all the time. I never got stressed with it just wanted to play.

MachineBee, I love the sound of your youth immersed in music. It's so nice to hear the real passion and love towards music coming from the child.

As I understand OP is after grade only for securing a scholarship, I just thought to share my two penny...

I heard some schools request actual exam pass but as long as I know most schools are happy without it. DS applied for a music scholarship (audition/exam just done this year) with no exam experience for his first study. I mean ZERO.. We had to submit teachers' references so his playing standard and commitments were mentioned there. He was selected for an audition, and won the major scholarship.

For your information, we live in SW London so I know how fierce the competition for a scholarship at independent schools is.

I was not sure how much was true of what they said on their website (they stated exam pass was unnecessary) but thought if DS didn't get invited for an audition because of his lack of exam experience, then the school was not right for DS. We wanted DS to go to a school with real celebration of loving music than a certificate obsessed school.

Do you have any particular school in mind? If so, why don't you call and ask them the criteria (I did)? If they say actual exam pass is not required, your DS can focus on developing and mastering and consolidating his skills to rise his actual playing standard than wasting his precious time chasing g5 unnecessarily. He can take higher grades after secondary school is sorted, and probably gets distinction at ease.

Also DS's very musical and academic friend won a music scholarship at top London independent schools (you can easily imagine which ones are top schools for boys!). He also hasn't done any exam, or he may have done but not as high as grade 5. But his playing standard is grade 8+. You don't need to be as advanced as he is, so please don't put off by his playing standard. All I wanted to say was schools may not be bothered about actual exam pass that much. So it may be worth finding out before you set a path. You may realise it's much wiser and more productive to invest your time and money on focusing on his actual playing standard than chasing exams.

Lastly, let me add that I was in the same shoes, Diets. We considered applying for a scholarship so that DS could carry on his lessons via free tuition come with the scholarship package due to our financial restriction. So I feel for your worry/panic/concerns...

Kutik, your son sounds very talented! Thank you for the encouragement. I am a bit worried about DS standing out of the crowd, that’s why I am doing everything I can to increase his chances.

I totally understand, Diets. I would recommend letting him join orchestras/ensembles if you can find any around you. DS joined a local youth orchestra in the last term of Y5, and quartet was added in late October in Y6. I suppose many DCs start earlier (we are a late starter), but even the 1-2 terms of experience prior to the adudition did a wonder to DS's musical development (he is still doing both). I think it looks good on cv too for a scholarship application.

In the end we turned down the place with a scholarship and he is going to a lovely state school instead.

I haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to say you can be Grade 5 standard without ever having taken an exam - you just need a reference from the teacher with suggested standard on it! A friend of mine got his ds to music college without ever taking an exam & I would argue undue focus on passing a test detracts from learning progress

I did this for a music scholarship decades ago with my DS ... two Grade 5 distinctions at 9, Bit of an effort, music scholarship went to a girl with Grade 2 clarinet who gave up in Y8. What seems terribly important at the time is irrelevant a few years down the road. And it doesn't do much for their playing in my experience ...

I see it has been mentioned, but I too would suggest talking to the music department(s) of the school(s) you are looking at. Tell them what instruments your son is learning and see what they say. At 13+ it is common for schools to do preliminary assessments to help advise whether children should audition and what they should focus on - at 10+ they may not do so much but I'm sure they would be willing to give some advice. I too would think playing material of a standard rather than proving the exam pass is likely to be appropriate.

Good luck, what you are describing sounds like a music scholarship would be very appropriate!

Thank you for your advice, I started looking for a new violin teacher. I was wondering if there are any master classes/auditions where an independent teacher could assess DS’s level of playing?

I would think you can book a consultation lesson with a reputable teacher who can take a look at your DS' strengths and any weaknesses. My DDs, whilst musical, are scientists and at a fab state school so I have not been in your position. However, DD2 decided she wanted to change violin teacher and fixed herself up a consultation lesson with a fantastic teacher (also a friend). I was emailed with all DD's good and bad points and the teacher said she was happy to teach DD, providing we gave appropriate notice to the current teacher. I know we aren't in London, but £60 per hour!! I pay just over half that and this teacher also works in one of the London JDs.

I have prepared a couple of private pupils for scholarship exams. I think all-round musical experience is really important, so if you can get your DS involved in something locally, it would help.

I have a couple of possible contacts for you. Are you happy for me to PM you?

Thank you malbecfan, will wait for the PM :)

We did 3 grades in 12 months although it was exhausting. Dd was over-cooked for g3 1 year ago in March. G4 in autumn and g5 last term. Exhausting and we are glad to be away from exams for now,bug entirely possible.

se I think you were given some really poor advice by your dd's teacher there to be honest. If she was "overcooked" for grade 3, she'd have been better off skipping it altogether and moving on to skills development ready got grade 4/5. Flying through grades is absolutely pointless as all a student will do is learn pieces for that exam. The skills are what matters and there is absolutely nothing to say you have to take every single exam along the way. The exams are not the be all and end all, and 12 months of developing skills ahead of grade 5 would have been far better for your daughter than learning 6 pieces and passing grades 3 snd 4.

Apologies for the typos. Typing quickly as this kind of thing really irritates me to be honest. A good teacher would never ever advice 3 exams in 12 months. It's a waste of time, money and adds so much stress onto a pupil whilst doing very little to develop their technique and skills.

Spamalot. This was her teacher's preference. There was no flying through the grades or timeframe involved it was just chance

If she did 3 grades in 12 months then she absolutely flew through them. I'm coming at this with 20 years teaching experience, countless student exam successes etc and I promise you that this teacher made the wrong choice. Hopefully your child will now slow down and actually build her skills up to match her certificates. Hopefully 3 exams in 12 months hasn't put her off.

I think it's sad that these schools use exams passed as a way of assessing musicality.
I don't blame the parents as they only do whats expected, but interesting that the most reputable music schools don't base entrance on exams passed.
Music should be fun, not worrying about rushing through the basics.

If done right though grade exams should just be a measure of a journey towards musical ability. The problem comes when parents and some teachers make them the be all and end all.
I have grade 8s in three instruments, a diploma and a music degree plus post grad qualifications, Will all of my teachers, I had to have learned the scales and developed the skills needed for each grade before they let me get near the pieces. Lots of time was spent playing in a range of styles with lots and lots of sight reading. I practised lots because I loved it and with the wrong teachers I could probably have completed grade 8s in half the time it took. Would I be the player I am now though? I doubt it.

I always tell students that a year between each grade is about right. Anything less and you're just learning set pieces and little else.

I can see where you come from Spamalotte and I can agree many parts. But how do you know se22's DD learnt only exam pieces during the 12 months..? She may have covered lots other pieces and skills between learning exam pieces... Anyway she is stating she is glad to be away from exams for now so clearly her DD is doing other than exam pieces...

I wasn't looking to start a debate, merely telling op that it is possible to answer her question. My daughter plays lots apart from grade pieces and we are both trusting of her teacher's judgement.

I'm just guessing based on the amount of time I would imagine she needed to spend learning exam pieces to the right standard to get a good mark at grade 5.

By the way, some schools DO ask for a proof of grade 5 Distinction: