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Scales
May 28, 2006 17:49:29 GMT
Post by princessmoose on May 28, 2006 17:49:29 GMT
Having looked at the Associated Board Piano Grade 8 syllabus this afternoon and been horrified at the sight of seeing so many scales on the list, it does make me wonder why do the AB insist on having so many of them, whereas Trinity/Guildhall don't?
I know some members argue that there is no point to those silly exercises whatsoever, so why do they AB put countless scales as being a requirement?
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Scales
May 28, 2006 17:53:52 GMT
Post by petite joueuse on May 28, 2006 17:53:52 GMT
I don't know why, but be warned - in my exam I was asked several scales of each type - nothing was left untouched. The examiner asked for a dominant 7th and I played the diminished by mistake - so she said "Yes, that was the diminished, can you now play the dominant that I asked for". OUCH! But I did pass!
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Scales
May 28, 2006 18:07:07 GMT
Post by princessmoose on May 28, 2006 18:07:07 GMT
Ooops! I'd expect them to go through every type of scale, I just can't see why there is the need for so many. I'm in a situation where I'd like to eventually do grade 8 piano and prefer the ÁB pieces, but I am not going to be able to stand putting myself through learning all those darn scales that the AB want. Simple up and down in octaves are fine, but all these extra scales in thirds, and inversion this and inversion that.. WHAT is the point?!
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Scales
May 28, 2006 18:13:17 GMT
Post by Trebor on May 28, 2006 18:13:17 GMT
I put a reasonable amount of work into scales, but fluffed them on the day unfortunately. I don't see the point. Whichever grade it was where you had to play all the keys - major, and harmonic and melodic minors - I thought was reasonably useful (to be able to rattle off a scale to any key can be helpful). The specialist ones (thirds, sixths, contrary motion, etc.) seem more a matter of co-ordination than anything - I can't see any practical use. Still, no more scales for me
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Scales
May 28, 2006 18:42:10 GMT
Post by princessmoose on May 28, 2006 18:42:10 GMT
I think at grade 6 you do all the major scales and both form of the minor. I might just have to put up with the scale load...I can't see a way around it, unless Trinity allow me to do their scales but AB pieces...which I doubt quite highly .
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Scales
May 29, 2006 4:51:22 GMT
Post by schubertiad on May 29, 2006 4:51:22 GMT
I've recently started trying to put my scales into order, and while i agree that they can be a bit of a pain, i have found that the speed of learning them is cumulative. The first few scales which i tried to perfect took a while, but when you have the basic technique down, they get easier and easier. And trebor, although you screwed them up in your exam, i would guess that the mere process of learning them had a positive effect on your pieces and overall technique, so it wasn't for nothing. Schubertiad.
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Scales
May 29, 2006 7:57:24 GMT
Post by princessmoose on May 29, 2006 7:57:24 GMT
I am ok with the major and harmonic minor scales, melodic minors will take a bit of work, it's just all these silly other things.
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Scales
May 29, 2006 8:27:53 GMT
Post by chocolatedog on May 29, 2006 8:27:53 GMT
I prefer the idea of concentrating only on a few scales but to still have to do them as contrary, 3rds and 6ths at grade 8 - eg in just 4 keys like TG do. Especially as I don't think scales are part of diploma requirements .... (or are they? not sure..... )
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Scales
May 29, 2006 9:21:16 GMT
Post by anacrusis on May 29, 2006 9:21:16 GMT
Scales are part of Trinity's performance diploma. Not the recital one, though, thank goodness. I can't see them on the dipABRSM syllabus on a quick scan-through - maybe even they recognise they've done the scales to death by that time.
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Scales
May 29, 2006 10:11:09 GMT
Post by petite joueuse on May 29, 2006 10:11:09 GMT
I'm afraid I do actually enjoy scales in thirds (the one-handed type!).
I couldn't see the point when doing them for Grade 8, but I got a sort of quirky pleasure out of getting them right.....and then I was asked to accompany a recorder player at a concert and had barely any notice at all - had to sight-read and it was loads of scale passages in thirds! EASY! (and impresses the audience!).
Those of you who are post-Grade 8 now....do you still do scales? I have a half-hearted attempt at them every so often - I feel I "ought" to do them - I know deep down that they are probably good for me....but there is so much music out there that I'd rather spend time with!
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Scales
May 29, 2006 11:49:12 GMT
Post by Steve Hopwood on May 29, 2006 11:49:12 GMT
Those of you who are post-Grade 8 now....do you still do scales? Never. Now there is Steve springing yet another surprise ;D More seriously I am disappointed by the AB approach to this. They trumpeted a major technical requirements review recently. Very little actually changed; for sure, there was no reduction. Even when known, it takes longer to play the grade 8 scales (an hour) than most of my candidates practise each day. I still use the AB for some of my lower grades, lower ability candidates, but my grades 6-8 all do Trinity now. Steve
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Scales
May 29, 2006 16:55:57 GMT
Post by princessmoose on May 29, 2006 16:55:57 GMT
*sigh* oh the dilemma...
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