Grade one piano
A month or so ago, I went and did something just for me. I went and took my Grade One piano exam. I’ve been having lessons since the start of the year, as although I’ve been able to plink my way through most tunes since school, I’ve never done anything formal. I used to play the violin and was almost up to Grade 4, until I damaged my hand when I was 13.
So after five months of lessons, I went, and dithered my way through the entire exam. OMG, I cannot ever remember being so damned nervous about anything - not since my driving test! I was physically shaking, it would have been comical, had it not been so daunting.
I did my scales, played my first two pieces ok, then went onto the third and fluffed about half a dozen notes - and grade one pieces are very short! Next came the aural bit and I stuttered and stumbled through that. When the very nice, head-master type examiner told me it was over, I managed a small smile and muttered something about shaking my way home. He told me it was always worse for the adults than the children.
I then had to wait three weeks for the results!!
I don’t remember waiting for my A-level results being this nerve wracking. Daft, really. Just a grade one exam that is normally take by primary school age children.
Then, when away in Stockholm (yes I will blog pictures at some point), James got a text from his sister. My somewhat batty but lovely piano teacher had gotten the results.
I got a Distinction.
*cue mad leaping around and whooping in Stockholm hotel room*
Apparently, my score of 135 out of 150 was the highest one of her pupils has ever scored.
I’m what you might call fairly chuffed with that. 
Onto grade two! And maybe fewer nerves?
FABBY!!!! Whooping for you here! Very very well done.
Umm, still not *letting* you win at scrabble though….
Comment by Sarah, Dino and Mimi — August 13, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
aww well done!!
Comment by Kirsty — August 14, 2008 @ 8:18 am
well done you, keep thinking about taking it all up again, am only a grade or two higher atm.
Comment by jax — August 14, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
That’s fantastic Kris! Well done!
Comment by dottyspots — August 14, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
Wow, Kris, that’s a fantastic result! Well done
Comment by Caroline — August 16, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Congratulations! Where on earth do you find the time to get so much done all the time???????
Comment by Elizabeth — August 17, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Elizabeth - you haven’t seen the state of the house!
There are always more interesting things to do than housework…
Comment by Kris — August 17, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Who said our houses were clean??!!
Hazel & I want to learn to knit–any good beginner books or web sights you’d recommend?
Comment by Elizabeth — August 20, 2008 @ 7:35 pm