A girl in grade 9 (14 years old?) asked me if she does violin exams, does that really help her OP? Yes...from next year. She did a grade 5 exam last year, and was a little disappointed that wouldn't count. She was quite happy that she just had to pass the exams, not get an A. Looks like we're back to doing violin exams.
Me: We should start grade 6 material now, then.
Girl: [shakes head vigorously]
Me: Yes. [I then explained timing of exams, won't bore you with that here].
Girl: But.... won't it be hard?
Me: [sigh]. Let's have a look, shall we? [I pick up the newest grade 6 book]. A major. Not that hard. Goes a bit high, but you can cope?
Girl: [nods]
Me: Good. Next one. Just arpeggios.
Girl: wah?!
Me: You can cope. Next. Oh look. The first movement of Eine Kleine - which I know you can already play. [girl nods]. Next. Fantasia on Greensleeves.
Girl: Oh, I did the solo part for that last year in orchestra.
Me: Yep. Exactly the same. Next.
Girl: Agh! No! Too many flats!
Me: hmmm... Next. Ooh, Csardas. [I sing the main bits - admittedly, a bit on the fast side]
Girl: Oh, it's just like Hungarian Dance!
Me: Yes.
Girl: But it's so nnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-nnnnnnn [don't know how else to transcribe that - that's what she sounded like, though].
Me: Well, it's not really that fast... Just move your fingers and bow a bit fast and you'll be fine.
Girl: Can we do Greensleeves first?
And then she proceeds to play it perfectly, the first time. I guess grade 6 isn't so unattainable after all.
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