Failed ABRSM Grade 8 exam

[tohwenqi]

Hi, I'm 13 and i just took received my ABRSM grade 8 results. Unfortunately, i failed, which came as quite a big shock as i was expecting at least a pass with perhaps even a merit, and i got a distinction for grade 6 last year. This failure has really been quite a big blow for me as i really expected to do much better. I have yet to receive my mark breakdown, but what i feel was that i stumbled on my pieces at places i never did before because i was nervous, basically everything else didn't go too well either because i was really nervous.

Anyway, i'm really lost now, and i'm unsure if i even want to continue piano lessons, but if i do retake piano lessons, then i will be aiming for grade 8 again. The thing is, if i retake grade 8, i will have to learn all new pieces again as i took the 2009-2010 syllabus and i cannot resit with those pieces. It's going to be the process all over again and honestly i'm not sure either if my parents will continue to be as supportive. Where i live, the exam seasons are in March and September, so i'll need to plan out my exam plans, if i am going to take them. I'm also really afraid of having to face my piano teacher because the next time i see her, we will talk about it and i believe she is very disappointed.

Please help!

[richard black]

Well, 13 is young to be doing Grade 8, and only one year after Grade 6 is quite soon too, so don't be too hard on yourself - maybe it was just too much too soon. At the end of the day it's only one exam and you don't play piano just so you can do exams. Take a few months off from exams, learn a few new pieces just because you like them, then look at repeating the exam. Just my 2c.

[keyboardclass]

Richard's right - what's the hurry?

[coffee_guy]

if you are this young it's hard to put these things in perspective. You have your whole life ahead of you. You will make it to grade 8 without a doubt. By the way, grade 8 does not even mean all that much anyway. Some of the most amazing piano players, musicians, and composers I know have NEVER even been tested. It is how you apply the knowledge that you learn my friend. Hang your head high and play the piano because you love it and want to express yourself through music, not for any other reason.

[popcornn]

A few thoughts.

1 Practise your pieces under pressure i.e. tell people you are giving them a performance and would like them to critique what they have heard.

2 Record your own performance and imagine you were giving feedback to someone else.

3 If you have areas that need work, practise those areas at slow speed and with CONCENTRATION, the slower the better. Build up speed one metronome increment at a time. Use any technically difficult passages for daily drills.

4 Perform in a variety of locations. Ever went to do something then forgot what you went for? Then only when you go back to where you originally had the thought do you remember again. Thoughts can become geographically triggered, including your thoughts about the music you study. So to bypass this, perform in lots of different locations. If you know the whereabouts of a piano that is not your regular piano, ask permission to give a performance on it.

5 Oh yes, GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY TIME! The body (the subconscious) needs lots of time to KNOW a piece of music on many dimensions. Julian Bream (classical guitarist) said he'd have a piece in practise up to 2 years before he'd consider that he know it, and even then it was still developing.

6 Last, remember why you play in the first place, your joy of musical expression. Go back to your old grade 8 pieces and 'make up' with them. Don't let resentment fester, forgive them, forgive the situation, forgive yourself and your nerves; bring your self back to a feeling of piece where you feel ready to let go and move on.

Best to you.
Peter.

[piano_61]

Don't be down-hearted. Grade 8 is a big step up from 6. I would really recommend doing 7 next as there is so much to learn re scales and arpeggios, let alone really learning your pieces so that you can enjoy performing them. Nerves can be a problem especially if you have an element of doubt about your readiness to perform. Learn pieces that you love and will want to play all your life. Examiners know all about nerves and can look beyond the odd slip or two - the trick is for you to learn to do that too.  Best of luck.

[werq34ac]

So? I personally think the grading system is too heavily depended on. Students tend to measure their progress by these ridiculous grades rather than actual musical growth.

Being nervous has a huge impact on your playing. Even if you think you are in control. Often when we get nervous, we focus on nothing but getting the notes. I'm not sure how the grading system works, but if the grading system has absolutely any merit at all, it would at least require more than just knowing the notes.

Besides, some of the grades for a few pieces don't make sense. Wedding at Troldhaugen and March of the Trolls is considered at the same level as Clair de Lune. Seriously, I found the moonlight sonata 3rd movement easier than March of the Trolls (ridiculous jumps).

Grading pieces on difficulty is overrated anyway. Even Henle's system of grading difficulty has flaws. (in particular Alborada del Gracioso, which is rated at 8.5/9 when I can hardly play some of the stuff they rate as .

[scherzo123]

Well, 13 is young to be doing Grade 8

Not young to me, but just keep trying! 

[rajiv28rajiv]

 :oWOW!!You are quite good to get a distinction in Grade 6.Guess what I'm the same age as you but I am grade 1.Good job.Don't give up.It is you to decide to stay low or get back up.So get back up!!!