Dreamaurora:

micollh:

is trinity equivalent to abrsm ?

if a child takes trinity grade 6 then go back to ab grade 7, it wont affect their progression in ab right?

what's the difference between the capability of a trinity trained teacher to ab trained ?

I think any decent teacher would be able well equipped with all the necessary teaching tools and able to prepare students for any exam boards.

Comparing the syllabus between Trinity and ABRSM, it is obvious that Trinity higher grades are quite more relaxing to prepare. The technical work requirement for Trinity is significantly lesser compared to ABRSM. Yup, at grade 8 ABRSM level, there is approximately 100+ variations of scales and arpeggios, whereas for Trinity less than 30 (though Trinity also requires to do additional short little exercises). In term of pieces, both boards do set the appropriate pieces for the appropriate grades, but Trinity seems to have a higher number of the so called 'easier' pieces.

These reasons make Trinity attractive for students who hate practicing gazillion of scales. And also good for in between grades. I prepare mostly grade 5 and 8 ABRSM, but if students desire an in between grade, then I would normally recommend Trinity or LCM.

So does it mean that if I get a distinction in Trinity Grade 8, my standard is lower than another student who gets a distinction in Abrsm G8? Hence my certificate is less prestigious? At least in Singapore and Malaysia?

l have been wondering about this for a long while.

Appreciate if somebody can enlighten me . Many thanks!

Dreamaurora:

SaltySalt:

will it be too late to start learning violin at the age of 15?

I started learning piano at the tender age of 17, went through full time music performance course, and now teaching piano professionally full time; I am 31 by the way. And in early January this year, I began my violin journey, so you definitely have a greater head-start compared to mine!

The most important advice that I can give to you is to find the right teacher. Not many teachers are willing to teach late-starters and those who do often do it begrudgingly. I went through a few teachers like this when I started learning piano and it was quite disheartening when they didn't consider me as a serious learner. You want a teacher who respects you as an adult and believes that eventually you can play as well as those children who start young. And this teacher must be patient and able to troubleshoot technique well, since as a late-starter you would more likely to have built up tension (which is often misunderstood as 'stiff' fingers).

And lastly, if you are serious in learning, don't take ad hoc lessons! Fix your lessons in advance in accordance to your schedule, but don't give yourself a way out by changing lesson time if not enough practice. This is by far the most common bad habit that I find adult students like to do and eventually harming their progress and interest in the long run.

If not enough practice, dare not go for lesson because afraid teacher will be annoyed and then kena scolding...

smileplease:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"smileplease\"]Hi Dreamaurora


I am the mother that took grade 5 exam last July and failed.

I took your advice. I just called ABRSM and I have passed my grade 5 practical (I took the exam on 27/2/14).

Really thank you so much for sharing so much information here.

For those candidates that took ABRSM practical exam between 17 - 28 feb 2014, you can ask your piano teacher to call ABRSM to check if the candidate pass the exam.

If the candidate fail the exam, you can register to retake by today.

Smileplease,

congratulations on passing an important milestone in your learning. Did you booze yourself before the exam ? I myself took grade 5 ABRSM jazz piano on Monday, and now begin the long wait for the result.

yes, I did take the medicine that you told me. And before the exam, I kept telling myself, 'I must stay calm', 'I must keep cool', 'I must played well for the examiner to listen'.......................... :rotflmao:

I still fumbled for A3, but played better on B1 and C3 compared to last time.

Now, I just want to know my score on 17/3/14.[/quote]Smileplease,
Congrats!!! :rahrah:

Hi Dreamaurora,


Thanks for your reply. So need to check all 6 combinations.
Now I can continue to practise in peace.

Thank you!

Hi,

Don’t know can ask here or not but I ask anyway, hopefully some teachers can help to clear my following doubt.

When checking for consecutive 5th/8th in chord progression, my teacher said need to check the following SATB parts:
1) soprano-alto
2)soprano-tenor
3)soprano-bass
4)alto-tenor
5)tenor-bass

No need to check alto-bass. Really?
I am confused because a theory website said must check also alto-bass.

I will be very happy if no need to check alto-bass. Because I get giddy trying to satisfy all the rules espcially if more than 2 chords.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, jce and Dreamaurora.


I have another 2 questions that have been gnawing me for quite a while.

Is it really the case that matured students (40+) will learn slower than 12-20 year old students given that they have the same interest to learn and practise?

Is it also the case that there are some techniques that only a child can learn as her brain is still developing hence too late for an matured(40+) as an adult brain is already hardwired?

Dreamaurora's learning at 17 was stiill very young, ok, so not really counted as a matured student-so cannot use as example

I like to learn but I have so many doubts as an adult student. Each I encounter difficulties, I would wonder \"is it because I am too old\"?

From what I read in various posts and forums, it is very very difficult to even get a merit for grade 6-8. Is it true that only those who have in-born talent can achieve it?


Sounds discouraging to normal people like me.

Dreamaurora:

smileplease:

[quote=\"Dreamaurora\"]

I think it's brave for you to even attempt an exam at this age. Don't be too hard on yourself. Do note that your body reacts to stress and pressure differently than young children; this is because as we get older our threshold for adrenaline gets lower. We are also more self-conscious and hence it is actually harder for us to take exams as compared to young kids. I would suggest some alcohol next time or even medication (Inderal).

Dreamaurora

Thank you so much for your encouragement.

I really salute to you that you can get 118 for your grade 8 practical examination even without teacher's coaching.

Honestly I was lucky. If I could turn back the clock, I would delay my grade 8 and studied under a proper teacher. I was lucky the examiner liked my playing even though I had a couple short breakdowns; I failed the aural and sight reading.

It really gets very difficult as we get older. I remember when I took my grade 8 and studying in nafa i could still keep the nerves under control. But recently I gave a 40 minutes concert and I was besieged with extreme nerves. My mind was willing but my body was fighting against me; I had to perform with a headache and heartburn. Suffice to say, I did not perform as well as I would want to. recently I was prescribed inderal and it does really help. You should give it a try. There's nothing shameful about using medication, countless professional musicians also do the same.[/quote]Dear Dreamaurora,
Thank you for sharing your experience. This Sat I am taking my practical exam. I am already full of fearful thoughts - what if I blank out? What if I make mistakes? What if I freeze on seeing the examiner? How to prevent or minimise such fear?
I practise like crazy daily for almost 6 months. Even book exam studio to practise. Although I know how to play all the songs and scales, but each time sure make some mistakes like accidentally hit wrong the key. Suddenly forgot a fingering. Never perfect every time. I wonder if it is the norm to make some mistakes no matter how diligently I practise. But I have 3 more days left, nothing much I can do now except keep on practising, troubleshoot and hope for the best. Very big heavy sigh....
I am also 40-ish, like smileplease.

Dreamaurora:

phoenix8:

[quote=\"Dreamaurora\"]

I am little confused by what is your exact difficulty?. What exactly is your difficulty? Do you have difficulty pitching an interval from a given note e.g. I give you D and you must sing a perfect 5th above it. Or you have problem identifying interval? e.g. I play D then A and you must tell me the interval i.e. perfect fifth.

You play D then A. i must tell you perfect 5th. You play E then A, I must tell you perfect 4th. Last week and today I got them all wrong. Especially major 3rd and perfect 4th. perfect 2nd is ok. perfect 5th usually ok. very frustrated.

Try some interval association. Ask yourself if the interval played sound like a song you know.

This webpage below has quite a comprehensive interval association list

http://www.earmaster.com/intervalsongs/[/quote]Perfect! Thank you so much. Amazing Grace and When The Saints Go Marching In are my rather accurate 4th and 3rd interval ref.

Thanks again. You have been very kind.

Dreamaurora:

phoenix8:

Hi Dreamaurora,

I can't even differentiate the 3rd and 4th interval when 2 notes are played successively. my teacher asked me to sing do re mi fa soh. Sang correctly. Once he played 2 notes and asked me the interval, i am completely lost. Can't fit the 2nd note anywhere either in mi or fa.
He will have to figure out how to help me. I have no idea what to do

I am little confused by what is your exact difficulty?. What exactly is your difficulty? Do you have difficulty pitching an interval from a given note e.g. I give you D and you must sing a perfect 5th above it. Or you have problem identifying interval? e.g. I play D then A and you must tell me the interval i.e. perfect fifth.

You play D then A. i must tell you perfect 5th. You play E then A, I must tell you perfect 4th. Last week and today I got them all wrong. Especially major 3rd and perfect 4th. perfect 2nd is ok. perfect 5th usually ok. very frustrated.