Violin normal progression of learn for grade's?

[lexcat]

Dd has just started violin and has a friend who has been learning for 1 year. Dd has got in her head she will be doing her first exam in the summer as this is what her friend did. But friends mother told me, that the teacher said "I'm so pleased with your dd as they don't normally do primlimary in the first year."
I have googled voilin grade's and the exam boards say 2-3 term are the norm.
What is the norm as I don't what dd pinning all her hopes on that first exam or the fact that she may get a grade a year (which is what she thinks). Plus friend had the upper hand in the fact she learn recorder for a year before the violin.

[tortoiseshell]

No idea for violin, though ds1 is taking grade 1 this term, having played for 2 years. He is only just 7 though, I think if he had started older then it would have been quicker. He hasn't taken Grade1 piano yet, but is that standard, he is going to do Grade 2 in the summer I think when he will have been playing for 2 years.

My pattern was - started at 7;

piano;
Grade 1 age 7
Grade 3 age 8
Grade 5 age 9
Grade 7 age 11
Grade 8 age 13

flute;
Grade 5 age 10
then can't remember 6 and 7 but
Grade 8 age 14

I then did other things on other instruments, but that's probably most useful as far as a 'pattern' goes.

[lexcat]

Thanks again everyone, sorry if you think I'm a pushy mother really hope I'm not. I myself learn violin as a child and never did exams and never wanted too. But my dd is very different to me and is inspired by tests and exams (liked doing her Y2 sats).
All I want is her to enjoy the violin but at the same time not to have to waste my money on lesson if she is not prepared to put some work in. Plus that she can feel she is making progess and not give up because the progess is slower then her expectations.
Really hope the exams will keep her going though times of slow progress as that is a target she has set not me.
Was really think about the first few grades.

[snorkle]

No lexcat, I for one didn't think you were being pushy. Ds is quite motivated by grades and exams too - lots of children are. Over time though, I've managed to pursuade him not to do several and I think that's been good for him overall. That said, in the early days especially, they did motivate him to practise so there is a place for them, but it's good also to play other stuff for enjoyment too. I'm glad he's at the point now that he'll work at a piece because he wants to play it rather than because it's on an exam list.

[mistlethrush]

I did violin - but I had been learning piano for 4 yrs before - started at 6. I took grade 8 piano at 17.

Violin I started at 10. I took grade 4 in a year, grade 5 about a year later - took Grade 8 at 16.

Viola I started at 14 (this delayed my violin playing somewhat!). Took grade 5 at 14, and grade 8 at 15.

Apptitude is a significant factor - I always felt 'at home' with strings, but not with piano - even though they had the same length of practise time each.

And, having taught violin, I know that some of the children that I taught will never make it as violinists, even though they enjoyed playing and did practise.

I think that having other goals would also be very helpful - such as performing a certain tune to a particular person or at a certain event.

I hope that she enjoys herself!

[lingle]

didn't mean to imply you were pushy, sorry.

I too was inspired by exams - you give me an exam, I'll pass it - but my violin technique suffered greatly as a result. Pass Grade 8? easy. Be a real musician who can play well with others and communicate music? Just starting to learn that properly now.

good luck with the violin!