Graded Music Exams?

[lawrawrrr]

I'm just about to leave for my grade 8 flute exam (:S) and I was wondering if anyone else here was musical at all. Post what instrument/standard here :D

Me: Flute, piccolo, clarinet, bassoon, bass, drums and ukelele :D



Edited by Catzsy (Forum Super Moderator):Moved from 'Discuss Anything' to here.

[Conservative,]

Woah crazy stuff...good luck!

I'm grade 5 guitar & singing (been singing for 2 months :P)
I also play piano, drums, recorder, bass & keyboard (no it's not the same as piano kthx) but don't bother with grades.

[Eoin247]

I play the violin primarily, i used to only do traditional stuff up to about grade 6 but a few years ago i switched to classical.

Now im at grade 5 (dont know if your grading system is the same in the uk, theres 3 grades before starting grade one)for the royal irish academy, and i play in an orchestra (we're going to Germany next year :D).

I did a few grades in piano a while back, i might pick it up again as it's a nice easy sorta instrument.

Over the years dabbled in, recorder, drums, voice, tin whistle and accordion. :)

You just do solo stuff or/and group stuff fire-girl?

[Conservative,]

I play the violin primarily, i used to only do traditional stuff up to about grade 6 but a few years ago i switched to classical.

Now im at grade 5 (dont know if your grading system is the same in the uk, theres 3 grades before starting grade one)for the royal irish academy, and i play in an orchestra (we're going to Germany next year :D).

I did a few grades in piano a while back, i might pick it up again as it's a nice easy sorta instrument.

Over the years dabbled in, recorder, drums, voice, tin whistle and accordion. :)

You just do solo stuff or/and group stuff fire-girl?

Depending on the instrument there are 8 or 9 grades. For most there are 8 grades (1-8). For 5+ you have to take a theory exam. But for a few (Piano & guitar being 2...) there is one before grade 1 called preliminary.

[AgnesIO]

Depending on the instrument there are 8 or 9 grades. For most there are 8 grades (1-8). For 5+ you have to take a theory exam. But for a few (Piano & guitar being 2...) there is one before grade 1 called preliminary.

After grade 8 you can go on to a diploma.

--

Bass, guitar, piano, theory main things.

Can play some stuff on drums too and some other crap (clarinet blah blah lol)

[Eoin247]

Oh we have theory on all our exams except the first three (elementary, preliminary and primary).

I think our grades go up to 7 not including the first three. After that theres many other grades/degrees like teaching, masters etc.

[Circadia]

I Play The flute I have for about 3 years but I stopped for about 2 years so i have to learn it all again :(!
I also sing but i haven't done any grades for that or had lessons

[Alex3213]

I'm just about to leave for my grade 8 flute exam (:S) and I was wondering if anyone else here was musical at all. Post what instrument/standard here :D

Me: Flute, piccolo, clarinet, bassoon, bass, drums and ukelele :D

Fantastic! You seem much like Shadowchild and a bit like me too. Just for Robbie's heads up, you can take a diploma after the final grade and the "5+" rule normally applies to the ABRSM examination board. I currently play the flute at around a grade 8 standard (I haven't actually taken it yet, I'm still extremely nervous but may put myself in for July), a bit of clarinet and saxaphone, piano and I can play all of the recorders (well... attempt to play the bass! :P). I've been doing music since the age of four.

It's great there are more musical people on here recently, I've only noticed it in the last two or three months.

Oh, and good luck with your exam. What exam board are you on?

Oh yes, Dom just reminded me! I also do a lot of theory based work- I'm not the best at it but I have a very good idea of music, I would, without boosting my ego, say I always have been in love with it.

[Conservative,]

Fantastic! You seem much like Shadowchild and a bit like me too. Just for Robbie's heads up, you can take a diploma after the final grade and the "5+" rule normally applies to the ABRSM examination board. I currently play the flute at around a grade 8 standard (I haven't actually taken it yet, I'm still extremely nervous but may put myself in for July), a bit of clarinet and saxaphone, piano and I can play all of the recorders (well... attempt to play the bass! :P). I've been doing music since the age of four.

It's great there are more musical people on here recently, I've only noticed it in the last two or three months.

Oh, and good luck with your exam. What exam board are you on?

Oh yes, Dom just reminded me! I also do a lot of theory based work- I'm not the best at it but I have a very good idea of music, I would, without boosting my ego, say I always have been in love with it.

Yeah I forgot about diploma ect. but I layed out all the grades :P

[lawrawrrr]

Now im at grade 5 (dont know if your grading system is the same in the uk, theres 3 grades before starting grade one)for the royal irish academy, and i play in an orchestra (we're going to Germany next year :D).

You just do solo stuff or/and group stuff fire-girl?


Omdz orchestra trips are THE ABSOLUTE BIZ. I went to Holland 2 years ago, best week of my life.
And I do both, playing my first concerto at the end of next term, but I'm a member of too many bands and orchestras to count lol! XD

p.s. forgot to add I play piano to grade 5, now play crappy music for fun XD

[Mikey]

I did credit grade 2 guitar, by the way for some reason it's like grade 2 is the highest in Scotland. I'm confuzzled :}

[lawrawrrr]

Fantastic! You seem much like Shadowchild and a bit like me too. Just for Robbie's heads up, you can take a diploma after the final grade and the "5+" rule normally applies to the ABRSM examination board. I currently play the flute at around a grade 8 standard (I haven't actually taken it yet, I'm still extremely nervous but may put myself in for July), a bit of clarinet and saxaphone, piano and I can play all of the recorders (well... attempt to play the bass! :P). I've been doing music since the age of four.

It's great there are more musical people on here recently, I've only noticed it in the last two or three months.

Oh, and good luck with your exam. What exam board are you on?

Oh yes, Dom just reminded me! I also do a lot of theory based work- I'm not the best at it but I have a very good idea of music, I would, without boosting my ego, say I always have been in love with it.

LOL YOU ARE LIKE THE EXACT SAME AS ME XD
I do Trinity, can't do theory to save my life, and I do A2 music as well XD So I switched mainly so i didn't have to do scales :D Just got back from it, seemed to go alright, probably because I've been grade 8 standard for a while now, jsut wanted to get my braces off and switch teachers so I could do well. Wanted to do it now so I could put it on my UCAS form :D

[Alex3213]

LOL YOU ARE LIKE THE EXACT SAME AS ME XD
I do Trinity, can't do theory to save my life, and I do A2 music as well XD So I switched mainly so i didn't have to do scales :D Just got back from it, seemed to go alright, probably because I've been grade 8 standard for a while now, jsut wanted to get my braces off and switch teachers so I could do well. Wanted to do it now so I could put it on my UCAS form :D

lolol well I'm on A2 too! I just don't do music because to be blunt: it's a crap department at my 6th form- it's not really something I want to do other than a hobby either really.
I'm on Trinity too but obviously the theory side makes us different! :P Yes it's good not to do scales, I think it puts the pressure off you a bit because I dunno about you but I've always had to think of their relatives in my head and I always calculate it wrong because I'm in a rush. :( Glad it went ok! :D Hope you pass like I posted on your profile!

[lawrawrrr]

lolol well I'm on A2 too! I just don't do music because to be blunt: it's a crap department at my 6th form- it's not really something I want to do other than a hobby either really.
I'm on Trinity too but obviously the theory side makes us different! :P Yes it's good not to do scales, I think it puts the pressure off you a bit because I dunno about you but I've always had to think of their relatives in my head and I always calculate it wrong because I'm in a rush. :( Glad it went ok! :D Hope you pass like I posted on your profile!


People always say to me "Oh Trinity's not real exams, they're not proper", but they have NO IDEA, our pieces are SO much more didficult, my grade 7 pieces are ABRSM grade 8 and diploma level.
My school's a specialist performing arts and has a HUUUGGEEE music block so i'm like, so there. It's a shame that some people don't take it further, I mean, I picked my universities on their music facilities, even though I want to study English and Creative Writing! It's such a huge part of my life <3
Thankssss! <3

[Rozi]

I'm like grade 5 level on the flute and saxophone. I've always done ABRSM but for my grade 5 flute I'm gonna do trinity becauuseee there's just no time to do my theory atm. I love playing the saxophone more than the flute, and would say I'm better at the saxophone than flute, but for my AS I've chosen flute as my main instrument because my repertoire is bigger.

[Circadia]

AWW Alex has a new friend :') I don't like scales either tbf + this thread has reminded me to practise my flute :P

[lawrawrrr]

AWW Alex has a new friend :') I don't like scales either tbf + this thread has reminded me to practise my flute :P

LOL :D i hardly ever do flute practice, only when i've got a grade or performance coming up XD

[dogboy123]

Done my grade 2 on guitar but havent got the result back yet eek

[Circadia]

I have lessons at school and i get a bollocking from my teacher if i don't practice lol. I also can't practise for very long because i start to feel dizzy cause my breath control is badddd

[lawrawrrr]

I have lessons at school and i get a bollocking from my teacher if i don't practice lol. I also can't practise for very long because i start to feel dizzy cause my breath control is badddd

That's true, I play a lot, in orchestras and stuff so that really helps with breath control. My teacher doesn't even notice when I don't practice, and she's stopped caring now, i LOVE my teacher <3

How long have you been playing?

[Circadia]

I played from the start of year 4 till end of year 6 stopped till near the end you year 7 and started play again

[lawrawrrr]

Ah i see. The longer you play for, the better breath control gets. I've been playing for a decade now, and it got much easier. I would suggest, if you could, getting Trevor Wye's practice for flute, they're amazing at teaching every aspect!

[Circadia]

http://www.zshare.net/audio/83920939ab33de2b/

I've just recorded that. I get the music for chart songs off a site which i can't remember the name off LOL

And i'm sure if i keep playing my breathing will get better :)

[lawrawrrr]

You've got a really nice tone, from what I can hear! I would suggest, when it comes to practice, however borign it is, practice loooong notes, and even walking along the street, practice breathing.

Now that may sound strange, but if you take deep breaths, making sure your stomach is going out when breathing in and vice versa, breathing well using full lung capacity helps an awful lot. Also helps with swimming underwater......

[Tom]

Primarily, I sing, but I've never had singing lessons. Secondarily, Piano/Keyboard. Then other's are as follows;

Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drums (a Bit)
Organ (I'm a secret Nun!)
Xylophone (This actually takes skill!)
Flute
AND AND AND, obviously, the one I've been playing since I was 3! (No joke) THE RECORDER

[lawrawrrr]

RECORDERS FTW <3

omg can you actually play the organ? Actually love you. XD

[Tom]

Lol! Thank you, and I can actually. Well, kinda, It's confusifying, but I can do it :)

[Circadia]

RECORDER <3333 i think everyone in primary has to learn the recorder :S

[Alex3213]

You've got a really nice tone, from what I can hear! I would suggest, when it comes to practice, however borign it is, practice loooong notes, and even walking along the street, practice breathing.

Now that may sound strange, but if you take deep breaths, making sure your stomach is going out when breathing in and vice versa, breathing well using full lung capacity helps an awful lot. Also helps with swimming underwater......

Yes I also agree with this. Long notes are very useful when practicing, I think it's very helpful for both technique and breathing, also. I think you've summed the last bit up too- shoulders back, legs shoulder width apart and then breathe using full lung capacity.

Unfortunately the clip is still buffering so I didn't get to hear it but I will try to in good time. :)

[Rozi]

oh my god I so wish I could play the organ!!

and yeah, I stopped playing the flute for like 2 years and I had to learn how to breath all over again especially as I was used to breathing for the saxophone. But I totally agree, just keep expanding your lung capacity and learn WHERE to breath from and you'll be fab because your tone sounded noiiiiceee in that clip :)

[Circadia]

I used to have good breath control because with my teacher in primary she would do breathing exercises with us. but the years break has screwed that all up ;[

[lawrawrrr]

I can't stand up straight to save my life, but it seriously would help XD
I'll upload a clip of me later, lemm know what you think?

[Circadia]

I stand up straight because i was taught to do that lol + i will tell you what i think :]

[lawrawrrr]

Bumpage. PASSED MY EXAMMMMM!!!!!! 3 MARKS OFF DISTINCTION!!!!!!!

[Andys]

Grade 7 on guitar, but I've stopped doing grades now as I'd rather just focus on my band and other techniques, also most of the grade pieces are **** and easy anyway, would rather learn something fun.

I also sing a little, bass, drums and piano.

[qaxzsw]

I'm like grade 1 or 2 on piano ;] then I dropped it, which I regret now ;[

[Shar]

Bumpage. PASSED MY EXAMMMMM!!!!!! 3 MARKS OFF DISTINCTION!!!!!!!

Well done :)!
I'm not musical myself :(

[lawrawrrr]

Well done :)!
I'm not musical myself :(

thankyouuu (:
You should pick something up - try like the Ukelele or sommat, it's really easy, really fun and a great way to meet new people (:

[Circadia]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO wd laura :D x