First lesson--teacher seems... optimistic!

[hildegarde]

So,

I had my first "real" piano lesson yesterday.  (I've finally found a decent teacher--woohoo.)  She was very personable and knowledgeable.  My only concern is how high she is starting me...

I have very little piano experience, as said before.  I do, however, have a background in music.  My little audition with her involved some theory questions, me playing a few different scales that she rattled off, and playing a short piece that I'd prepared beforehand .

She has started me off in the Grade 3 books for the RCM--and says that if I work at it she can prepare me for the Grade 5 exam in late August.  I'm just wondering if this is too ambitious?  It sounds very high to me--however, I've worked through a couple of the studies she gave me last night and they seem do-able (with a little practice).

Is anyone here familiar with the RCM piano exams?  Do you feel this is a reasonable goal?

[amelialw]

i'm familiar with the RCM exams. I took my gr 10 exam in June'06 and am now prepping for my ARCT Peformer's in Aug.

If your teacher feels that you're ready, than by all means go for it.

[Bob]

Review never hurts either.  You can do more higher level things with simpler pieces.

[rc]

I believe that after a year and a half with my current teacher I took the grade 8 RCM exam.  It was the first exam I'd taken, and I was more nervous than playing for any audience...  Oddly, I think waiting before the examination was worse for my nerves than anything, sitting in silence felt a bit like a funeral   But I did fine.  Oddly again, I did the best in the area I felt I was the least prepared for, and the worst where I felt most prepared

Hildegarde, I don't think you have anything to lose because if it's too ambitious then you will know and won't have to sign up for the exam.  But my guess is it's attainable, you'd be surprised what we can do when we're pushed a little.  Every so often my teacher gives me an assignment that I don't think I'm ready for, but with a little work it comes off fine and the challenge actually brings out the best in me.

[tsagari]

Hi, again
Optimistic or not is good that your teacher gave you a goal and if she is experieced she would know if you can make it or not. So keep working and you will probably be surprised with yourself.
Good Lack

[dan101]

It's an ambitious goal. My instincts are telling me that this is too much of a jump, but your teacher obviously has more insight into your playing (I haven't heard you). If you proceed and don't have a spectacular exam result, you would have still pushed yourself to a much higher level, which is great.

If your willing, then go for it.

[hildegarde]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your input.  I'm just going to practice as much as I can and see how it all pans out.

RC--grade eight after a year and a half?  Wow.  You must have had some experience playing the piano before that!

[rc]

Oh sorry I should have mentioned, I'd been practicing on my own for somewhere around a year and a half before then too.  I made piano the focus of my life for a while, working minimal hours so I could practice more, read more and listen to more music.  I was obsessed and it helped me make a strong headstart, but it eventually mellowed out to a more sane pace.  Besides I wanted to have a more balanced life, I called up my friends who thought I'd died.

I also think that I rushed through it, and left many holes in my skillset which I've had to backtrack to fill so I could be a more well rounded musician.

I think you've got the right idea and will do fine.  If you have a few bucks to spare, or maybe could find a copy at the library, I would recommend the book "Mastery" by George Leonard.  It's a little book, not directly to do with piano but has the best description of good practice habits and attitudes I've come across.