Grade 5 in three years, Possible?

[daleelf]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to go to uni in three years, and i need at least grade 5 in Piano/Keyboard for most of them.
I'v played bits of Piano before, but nothing major. At the moment i cant get a teacher, but i will look to ASAP.

What im looking for is some advice to get me rolling, iv just been learning little bits, reading bits out of two books i got out of the library.

Thanks for any help 

[l. ron hubbard]

Yes it is possible.

[napoleonspidgin]

Do you have any other music experience? Have/can you read music? Depending on your past music experience, you could be grade 5 in less than a year.  Grade 5 is intermediate.  Many grade 5 pieces might not take you very long to "master" unless you are completely starting from scratch, musically.

I'm somewhat in the same situation as you.  I played when I was young, and am picking it up again 12 years later.  Except, I played viola/violin for many of those years so I'm used to reading music and musical expression. My plan is to acquire enough skills for entry level music college, not a prestigious conservatory necessarily, just a state college.

I was under the impression that grade 8 ABRSM is approximately the expectation for an incoming freshman piano student.  It depends on your major, certainly.  Do you want to minor in piano or do a Bachelor of Arts in piano (as apposed to Bachelor of Music)?

[arumih]

Well I started playing about 2.5 years ago with my only musical background being a basic understanding of how to read music. If you can read music, that makes the start up so much easier. I haven't done any exams yet, but over the course of the years I've played the ABRSM grade pieces for grades 1-5. Currently somewhat comfortable with the grade 5 exam pieces now so it can be done. Grade 5 pieces are comfortable, and I can make a stretch to pieces just above that level (e.g. Chopin Op 69 no 2, Mendelssohn Op 19 no 6).

A HUGE part of it really is how much time you're willing to put in. I needed 1.5-2hrs daily. The longest I've gone with no piano contact at all in the past 2.5 yrs has probably been less than a month. All I can talk about is playing pieces at a grade 5 level. I know right now I'd barely pass an exam because my sight-reading is awful and I haven't done much work with sight-singing. You'd need to also work on those practical musicianship aspects also to pass the exam successfully. But for the older (and more importantly serious, dedicated and patient) beginner, it certainly is quite possible to reach grade 5 in that time frame. Actually, some might say it's expected, but everyone's different. Just take your time, get a good teacher and get prepared to work!

[richard black]

Oh yeah, Grade 5 in 3 years is no sweat if you're prepared to put some work in. My wife has 10-year-old pupils who've managed that. OK, they're fairly talented 10-year-olds, but then as you get older your ability to learn stuff efficiently does benefit somewhat from experience.

[dr. j]

Yes, Grade 5 in three years can be accomplished with patient persistent practice.  The three "P words" with the most important being PRACTICE.  My motto is "The More you Play, the Better Your Day" and the sooner you get to Grade 5!

Dr. J

[db05]

I know someone who's made it to grade 5 in 3 years. So it is possible. But he spent another year to prepare for university, and he got in. But I'm talking about someone who reportedly practices for at least 4 hours a day, and has just graduated from an integrated music course.

imho, I don't think you'll make it on your own, even with the best advice on here. There is more to it than playing a bunch of advanced pieces, you know?

[tsagari]

I did it in two years with lots of practice, two hours daily plus more hours during the weekends

imho, I don't think you'll make it on your own, even with the best advice on here. There is more to it than playing a bunch of advanced pieces, you know?

And I mostly agree with the above comment. You need a good teacher to give you a good direction if you want to make it wright.

[daleelf]

Thanks for all the info 

For some of the above questions -

I have played guitar for about 4 years now, and i am starting my grades soon, i am grade 8 in practical but my theory is awful.
For guitar though, i read tab - meaning im finding sight reading very difficult. Although in my guitar lessons i will have to be tought how to, as the exams are in standard notation.

Im looking for a piano teacher at the moment, and hopefully will find one soon.

[tsagari]

I have played guitar for about 4 years now, and i am starting my grades soon, i am grade 8 in practical but my theory is awful.

I was like you,  advanced in guitar. basic theory knowledge. Theory is not a problem. As soon as you master scales and chords you have mastered half theory.

[daleelf]

Sorry to be a pain, but i want to get a real start whilst still looking for a teacher.

I was wondering if anybody would be able to help me/guide me for making myself a daily practice routine. I mean i really do not know what to practice at all.

I just bought a Final Fantasy VII songbook to learn some of those songs, and practice my note recognition on the staff. I have been doing the same thing with a cheap songbook that came with my keyboard.

Thanks all. 

[db05]

Get started with classical music as soon as possible! Check out some easy Bach (Notebook for Anna Magdalena), classical sonatinas (Clementi, Kuhlau or Mozart), Romantic (easier Chopin preludes or waltzes) and Modern (Bartok's mikrokosmos, maybe) pieces.

[tsagari]

Get started with classical music as soon as possible! Check out some easy Bach (Notebook for Anna Magdalena), classical sonatinas (Clementi, Kuhlau or Mozart), Romantic (easier Chopin preludes or waltzes) and Modern (Bartok's mikrokosmos, maybe) pieces.

I can not agree more with this suggestions. You can work at the same time a piece by Bach and one Sonatina if you want suggestions do not hasitate. Also never forget to practice Hand Separate especially with Bach. Also have a look at the following book "The fundamentals of piano practice" check the forum and you will find the link to print the book. And last piece of advance find a teacher soon