just before the exam (grade 8 ABRSM)

[paulinamusic]

I am taking my exam this Thursday and just want to double check couple of things.

I have my grade 8 exam pieces book but because Schubert's piece is 8 pages I scaned it and printed out so I don't have to turn the pages while playing. Is it alright to do that for the exam?

Do I need to play the scales in exactly the same tempo as it is given in the book?

How much time I have to answer aural test questions?

Is the sight reading piece from the book?

Also there are some wide chords in William Alwyn's Prelude on an Indian scale. Playing them as an arpeggios doesn't sound right to me. Would it be OK to skip one of the notes?

The other piece I play is Chopin's b minor Waltz. Not sure if I shall hold the sustain pedal for the whole bar or only the first two measures...

I would really appreciated if anyone could help me answering to any of those questions.

Thank you!

[adodd81802]

So I don't know all the answers. I am curious as to whether you have done any exams prior to grade 8 with some of these questions....

Scanning / photocopying pages is fine, as long as you have the original to present to the examiner

Sight reading, no it's nothing from your book, lol otherwise you could just memorise everything? It's a piece of music you will have a minute to look over then try to read, from what I understand, in that time you can use that full minute to try and run through it - playing it on the piano as much as possible and none of it is counted until the minute is up.

skipping notes is not fine. You will be marked down, you are marked on tempo, note accuracy, phrasing e.t.c...

RE Chopin Waltz, if you're asking these sort of questions now, with your exam in 2 days, you're potentially not ready for the exam? Do you not have a teacher?

I'm also under the impression you need to play 3 pieces, although you've only mentioned 2, and worth noting that despite your comments RE the prelude, there was a pretty wide selection of pieces to choose from, what I remember.

I don't know the answer to your aural - test questions. I'm assuming it's going to be you either know the answer or don't, so there is very little need to be sitting thinking for a minute about what you're going to say.

[vaniii]

The 88 BPM for scales is a minimum requirement. The philosophy here is from grade 5, you needed to know them all at 63 BPM minimum.  By grade 8, 88 BPM should be standard fare.

[paulinamusic]

Thank you for your answers! Yes, that will be my first grade exam. I studied music abroad where the music education system is different. No worries, I know about 3 pieces, etc. Just wanted to double check couple of things.
Regarding scales is OK to start from any octave?

[adodd81802]

I think for grade 8 the scales are 4 octaves?

In this case, I'm pretty sure there's only 2 places you can start them from, of which I think the preference is the lower octave.

[dogperson]

I think for grade 8 the scales are 4 octaves?

In this case, I'm pretty sure there's only 2 places you can start them from, of which I think the preference is the lower octave.

It appears the OP has not looked at the scales requirements for Grade 8.  Yes, they are four octaves, but there are additional requirements here https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano/piano-grade-8/

Aural test requirements are here
https://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano/piano-grade-8/

[samdm93]

Thank you for your answers! Yes, that will be my first grade exam. I studied music abroad where the music education system is different. No worries, I know about 3 pieces, etc. Just wanted to double check couple of things.
Regarding scales is OK to start from any octave?

Yes, you can start in any octave. With Grade 8 being scales of four octaves, I'd start pretty low on the piano.

Good luck for Grade 8! I completed mine last December and played the Chopin Waltz and Alywn's Prelude and Fugue (loved the Prelude, the Fugue on the other hand...!). What's your 'A' piece?