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My DD finished her first piano exam today

8 replies

xuannao · 16/06/2014 23:30

My DD1 just finished her fist piano exam grade 2 exam today. She thought that went well but given she always said she is ok with the pieces even they didn't go that well sometimes I have no idea how much I should trust what she said. Some questions here.
There are no foot rester available in the exam room, is that normal? She is only 6 and used a food rester at home.
I am not sure if today is the first exam day as we ask for a early exam day,if it is, will the examiner more strict on these first few markings?
I don't know if the examiner will take age consideration. Given she is quite young to take grade 2. I originally thought they would give her an easier piece for sight reading. But sounds not, my daughter said the sight reading was 2 flats and 1 natural.

I am pretty confidence she could pass as her teacher said she could have passed even taking the exam last term, and that's the reason we ask for an early exam day as she has already bored with those 3 pieces. I just keep guessing what marks she might get, hoping a good mark can build up her confidence.

This is what she described about the whole process. She choose to start the 3 pieces first(she normally start with scale at home and in the mock with teacher), all went through smoothly, except one mistake on the tempo of one bar. Scales good(from what she could remembered, I thought the scales she were asked were the harder ones). Sight reading she thought it was ok, she said she paid attention to the dynamic as well. Aural test she is not sure of test c, pitch or rhythm change, others quite confidence.

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Ishouldbeweaving · 17/06/2014 11:00

At this stage you just have to let it go. There's no point spending an anxious couple of days/weeks trying to second guess the examiner, you weren't there and the performance that they describe afterwards isn't always what the examiner saw. When you get the comments sheet you can go over it together and see what she can learn from it for the future.

I wouldn't expect them to make any allowance for age on the sight reading, it's set in relation to the exam that's being taken not the candidate taking it. I've never given a moment's thought to whether our exams have been early/late in the session, I would hope that it doesn't matter at all.

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Theas18 · 17/06/2014 11:06

Don't over think it! In fact forget it.... it's done. It will be fine.

I know it's a worry but your DD will thank you for " well done you, you did the exam and you worked hard, lets go for an ice cream in the park or what ever smallish reward you like.

Results will be as they are. The mark sheet might be useful or might not re points to work on.

We have never rewarded the "fantastic results" but the effort made ( and do that now before the result is out). Rewarding "result" I think means you pile on the pressure to "d brilliantly" and then anything less than a distinction becomes a disappointment, which is actually a very bad lesson for life really.

Come over to the exams thread, if not now next time - the team there are brilliant!

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weegiemum · 17/06/2014 11:15

My dd2 has grade 1 a week tomorrow, she's 10 but piano is her 2nd instrument, she's done grade 3 violin. Ds has grade 4 piano in the autumn sitting.

After, you just have to calm down and let it go. Ds did his piano g3 after only deciding a couple of weeks before and passed (didn't cover himself with glory but it was a pass!) and it's worse for the parents than the children I think!

Rather glad that very nervous dd1 has a teacher who doesn't go for exams (she plays accordion) so the whole thing is more relaxed until there's a concert

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Wafflenose · 17/06/2014 14:23

Forget about it for now! You'll hear in a couple of weeks.

In answer to your questions:

No, foot rests are not provided.
No, it wasn't the first day of exams - many schools have already had their own special visits.
No, marks do NOT change depending on an early or late date.
No, marks do NOT take age into consideration. The playing is either up to standard, or not. It sounds like your DD will be fine.

Hope this helps.

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RaspberryLemonPavlova · 17/06/2014 20:12

Yes, reward your DD for the hard work, and to celebrate that she gets new pieces. Always a cause for celebration in our house.

Then forget about it until the results come.

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xuannao · 20/06/2014 08:37

Thanks for all your reply. I have managed to not sorry about the result that much now. You are right, stop worrying and reward my DD for her hard work is more important! DD's school is good, after knowing she finished the grade2 exam, give her a chance to play in next week's assembly. She is very excited for it now.

weegiemum, good luck for your DD2's exam next week!

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RaspberryLemonPavlova · 20/06/2014 10:40

That's brilliant of school, and is a great reward too for the work.

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mom17 · 12/08/2014 18:54

sounds great, G-2 @6. What all books she has done so far (for Grade -2) ?

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