ABRSM - learn all pieces simultaneously?

[Pianofish]

For various reasons, I'm teaching DD myself at the moment as we are between piano teachers. This isn't great practice, but I'm sucking it up for the next few months.

When the new syllabus is released in June, I will get her to choose 3 pieces she'd like to learn.

Do you normally start with one piece, and add others as the student gets more confident, or start learning them all roughly the same time?

She'll be working towards Grade 2 if that's any help - so very early on in the journey!

[horseymum]

It really depends, you don't want to be stuck labouring away at three pieces for months. Maybe try a couple, then a couple more, etc, pausing the first two, and then make a decision about which ones to polish. Mine have usually done exams when they are very comfortable with the level so it's a natural part of progress. If they have tried several of the pieces, they will be more confident. There are usually lots of lovely pieces in the exam books so explore them and don't feel they need to do every one to exam level. Don't forget to do lots of aural stuff each week so that's a natural part too otherwise it will be stressful near the exam! There is a music thread in extra curricular which might help too, players at every level.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

My sons, when they did grades, always tended to learn the pieces in parallel. It meant they didn't get bored with just one piece and also meant that the pieces tended to be ready at the same time, so no need to revisit an earlier learned piece.