Music grades

Cakeguts

Just to be absolutely clear about why I posted this thread on the money saving website.

If you are paying a teacher to teach you or your child to play a musical instrument that teacher should be telling you what you need to improve on to make progress.

If you then take a grade exam you pay someone else to tell you what you need to improve on to make progress.

This means that you are paying twice for exactly the same service.

Bogalot

Please, give it a rest!

BrassicWoman

think this must be a bet to see if it can get to 9 pages....

DevilsAdvocate1

Cakeguts wrote: »

Just to be absolutely clear about why I posted this thread on the money saving website.

If you are paying a teacher to teach you or your child to play a musical instrument that teacher should be telling you what you need to improve on to make progress.

If you then take a grade exam you pay someone else to tell you what you need to improve on to make progress.

This means that you are paying twice for exactly the same service.

I still can't really see your point. Lots of things we do involve exams. My son dances and we both figure skate. These exams won't get either of us jobs in the future. If my son wants to skate for a career, the company's such as Disney on Ice take their skaters from the competitive pool and auditions. So like your argument for music, its not necessary to get a job.

However, I think having an exam structure in place does two things. One is that it gives you something to work towards and many people (though presumably not you ) find this motivating. Also, exams are not easy and there is a sense of achievement when you pass. It gives you a concrete record of your progress.

I'd also say that it helps with regards to any auditions you made do in the future as it give you experience in being heard by someone you don't know. It can be very nerve racking playing (or skating in my case) in a strange room with someone you don't know judging you.

Also, compared to lessons, exams are very cheap. My eldest has grade 7 piano and the exams do not run into the hundreds of pound per exam. Although they will do cummatively, you don't pay this all at once.

Person_one

What an odd little gem of a thread hidden away down here!

Shall we all scan in our ABRSM certificates for fun?

I've just totted up in my head and I should have 21 of the things knocking about somewhere. Although ironically and somewhat vindicatingly (is that a word?) for the OP and his little obsession, my rebellious sibling who refused to do any and self taught his main instrument is the one with the music degree and the one who actually gets paid real money to perform these days.

silverwhistle

Well, I don't think there is a certificate for tin whistle, but then I'm not very good at it. I'm not at all bad with the bones mind, but a certificate there is even less likely.

The standard required for playing either down the pub is the same as trying a harmony in a chorus; if more than one person gives you a dirty look desist.

robatwork

silverwhistle wrote: »

Well, I don't think there is a certificate for tin whistle, but then I'm not very good at it. I'm not at all bad with the bones mind, but a certificate there is even less likely.

I've seen a few referees who think they're James soddin' Galway the way they blow for full time.

DoaM

robatwork wrote: »

I've seen a few referees who think they're James soddin' Galway the way they blow for full time.

Or maybe they're like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8rrBzU7gc