 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: leonard a
Date: 2003-01-19 13:05
Can someone tell me what the grade levels mean that are given for music. For instance, does grade three mean a third year student etc. I am a beginner and it's hard to know what level of music to order. I don't seem to see much in grades 1 or 2.
Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ALOMARvelous12
Date: 2003-01-19 13:20
ignore grade levels. they don't mean anything. in fact, grade levels aren't a standard thing. different people all have different ways of measuring levels.
however, i see you are having trouble ordering music, so you may want to try the following site to get a basic idea.
http://www.jdhite.com/study/Clarinet/intro.htm
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fyrespryte
Date: 2003-01-19 13:25
The Associated Board Grade system goes from the preparatory test thru grades 1-8 with diploma level at the top,the early grades are a good introduction for children and new players to the formal examination system.People progress thru the grades at different rates and for someone new to playing the clarinet but with other instrumental experience some early grades could be skipped,I started at the age of 29 and within 5 months was working on the grade 5 repertoire so if I can do it anyone can,grade examinations are not the be all and end all tho and it is important not to get overly stuck on what grade you are at but to enjoy your playing for the sake of it and to study as much varied music as possible,grade 5 is usually classsed as intermediate level and by the time you reach grade 8 you are almost to the point of having a good solid grounding in the instrument of your choice,there are also theory examinations graded in the same way and for anyone wishing to take instumental examinations at grade 6 and up they must already have passed music theory at grade 5.In my experience the music set for the examinations starts to get interesting at about grade 5-6,with more pieces of standard repertoire being included in the sylabuss.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-01-19 17:06
The site below uses a helpful grading system, 1 thourgh 6, for sheet music and books:
www.clarinetspot.com
I would not equate the number to "number of years" of playing. Think of 1 being the "easiest" and 6 as being "the most difficult". A person who has played a year may be ready for 2, 3, or 4 material. Get a variety, if you can. It will be great sight reading practice, and you'll be more familiar than most at your level with "what's out there."
Jerry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2003-01-19 17:10
Consult your music teacher. He/she should be able to give you better assistance in ordering music, as he/she should know what your capabilities are, especially as a beginner.
Fyrespryte gave you a good answer.
While "it is important not to get overly stuck on what grade you are at," don't totally "ignore grade levels," while they may not be the most important single item in the world, they do serve to give you an idea of where you stand (if you can play the music you are there, if you can't you are not!) But the standards can be different from country to country, sometimes even from education system to education system, etc.
If you have a good teacher, he/she will know when you are ready and for what.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: leonard a
Date: 2003-01-20 02:53
Thanks to all the the valuable and interesting information. I am constantly amazed and grateful for the support the members of the clarinet community out there show to each other through this site.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2003-01-20 03:20
Some gradings may be very confusing. I've seen some that were graded say, a 4 because one instrument had a tricky run or solo, yet the parts for the other instruments were far too easy for that grade. We just got some new music anded out at our last rehearsal that was all grade 4. Even though it all came from the same publisher, some was easy and some quite challenging. I don't think there is any standardization amongst the pubishers yet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
