TG Improvising test

[digby]

Hi everyone,

Is anyone who is using the TG exams got any students doing the improvisation test at all.

I have a number of students doing the exam next term, several of whom are good improvisers but I'm nervous about using this test as I am finding the details from trinity a little ambiguous, particularly the length of improvisations, any note limitations (ie when they are given the notes to use and have to incorporate them) If anyone is using this option this term, I'd really appreciate any advise on how they administered it in the exam. I have a willing grade 3 guinea pig for next term, but I'd like a bit more practical info beforehand.

[jod]

My pupils yesterday did "Musical Knowledge" and "Aural". I want to try the improvisation test with my younger son when he takes his grade 1 singing as he has a particular talent for that area.

Infact if I can get him to sing one of his "made-up" songs and notate it for me then I'm tempted to get it authorised as performing his own composition.

(For those who think I'm pushing him, he may only be 6, but the idea of doing this has come completely from him, and once he gets an idea into his head he's the sort of stubborn determined kid who won't let anything get in his way)

[Amy]

Out of interest what sort of questions where asked for Musical Knowledge? I have chosen it as one of the options for my exam next week

[Dulciana]

Two sessions on now with TG I've decided that there's little point in putting pupils in for the sight-reading option before it becomes compulsory at Garde 6. Even the ones I'd consider to be reasonable sight-readers are not getting more than 7 out of 10, whereas it's possible to get full marks in the Musical Knowledge - and I had a Grade 3 get full marks in the Improvisation this time. The comment was that it maintained the rhythm, tonality and style of the opening he was given. He did the melodic option and was able to add LH chords (optional at this stage) as it was in C Major. (I'm not so sure that he could have done this if he been given something in F or G which are the other possibilities at Grade 3, but it's not required anyway - though the syllabus says that credit will be given if it's attempted.) Something I didn't read properly in the syllabus for musical knowledge is that intervals can be asked at Grade 2 - forewarned is forearmed next time!

[jod]

I've got one candidate taking this option this time, natural improviser best a melodies and rhythms but then he is a singer. (Also Matti - I caught him improvising its a much safter option for him than either musical knowledge or sightreading)

[Dulciana]

Hi jo! I see that despite being zero (despite not having posted anything for ages) I'm still ahead of you on the Karma front! I'll definitely now be doing the impro option with others that I might not have attempted it with before. One thing that some kids seem to find a bit difficult is maintaining a particular number of beats in a bar; they can stay in a particular key and repeat rhythmic motifs, but making it sound like it's staying in 4/4 time, for instance, seems to be a problem for some!

[chocolatedog]

I'm still toying with the idea of TG but haven't quite yet had the courage to try the exams out. The pupils who have done exams recently have all been capable enough with the scales (grades 1 & 2). I had thought about TG or the London exams for pupils higher up the grades but don't like the selection of pieces so much.......

But the idea of musical knowledge and aural/improvisation seems quite appealing....

[Dulciana]

Grade 6 is ok, but the choices for Grades 7 and 8 are pretty limited. We're thinking of LCM for a Grade 7 who hasn't got Grade 5 theory, but it's still needed for LCM Grade 8.