Q&A: When do I know it's time to move up a grade?

Happy 2023! 😃I'll be releasing some new videos this year, so be sure to subscribe to the channel for updates!

Happy practicing!

-Allysia

[daysend]

I just wanna say that I discovered your channel maybe 3-4 years ago when I started to self-learn piano. Your channel has been a huge help to me and a huge source of inspiration and motivation. Whenever i feel like I am losing motivation to practice, i just play some of your videos and it motivates me right back 😁
Sending lots of love from Czech Republic 🇨🇿 and thank you for all the work you put into your content

[TacticalPecans]

A funny coincidence: I stumbled upon your YouTube channel a couple of months ago while I was searching for information on RCM exams. I started taking piano lessons again a few months ago (after a long hiatus), so I have been prepping for my Grade 5 exam.
Well, tonight I came upon an older video of yours and realized we have/had the same teacher! Kristine B. is my current teacher! She’s been great. Small world!

It’s cool to see a channel like this coming from someone local. I’m gaining a lot from your videos. Super clear, concise, and informative.

[PeterKimmich]

So I’ve been listening to your music history videos in huge batches, and just wanted to say you’re awesome and your channel is all rad. I learned more about classical music in the last week than most people I know have learned in their entire lives. Keep it up, yo 🤟

[lolrochel]

I love what you do. Thanks for the videos, the webinars and all the content you've made so far, virtual teacher

[JoshuaAalampour]

Your channel was one of the first I came across when I started learning music back in 2017. Thank you for everything you do!

[sandrodevdariani]

love your videos, hope you would post more

[madisonshaw]

we watch your videos in my piano class in school and i think you’re videos are amazing! i discovered my love of musical history from your videos so thank you for having such great content :)

[jonssailing]

I’ve followed you for some time, now, and learned so much from you because of your awesome method and focus on personal discipline. Thank you!

[VCMD]

Thanks for the info. I already play the piano at 8+level, but think i want to try ur advice for my 3rd instrument viola. “Run through 10 pieces of each grade”

[EddieReischl]

Really good video. Was going to start learning to play the piano more seriously. Been playing guitar for 45 years or so, since around 10. Your comments about counting were interesting, guitar playing-wise I'm never consciously thinking about it, it's just intuitive. I'll probably have to play closer attention to that. I read music rudimentarily, like you've said in other videos, trying to practice that every day so it becomes automatic. My brain is a few steps ahead of my fingers on a guitar, but it's kind of a tie or a slight edge to the fingers on the piano. Did sort of work out the melody line the other night of "La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin", realized it was basically pentatonic after playing it for years on a guitar and not thinking about it (it's usually standard tuned to Eb). The left hand will be tough to figure out by ear though, I'll have to start downloading some classical sheet music, what I've got is a Beatles songbook and a bunch of organ transcriptions for standards that came with the organ I inherited from my Grandma. It's gnawing at my conscience having it just sit there, so I'm going to give this thing a try.

[meganellls]

I have been working on the Alfred Adult All in one Piano books since 2020 and I’m halfway through the last methods books. I’m interested in starting a masterwork classics series that I found that is sequential by grade. I’m trying to decide if I should wait until my methods book is done before starting a new book or if I could start my next book while finishing my methods book. I was also told I will be about grade 6 at the end of my methods book but I’m listening to the pieces in the classics books and I feel like I should start with grade 4. Thoughts?

[justarandomkid]

For me, ( im 11 ) Im doing a certificate of performance in ameb. You just have to play a few pieces from each grade and if you can nail them then you are ready for the next level.

[kyrionflame]

We miss you. Hopefully you’ll come back soon.

[progressingpianist]

My goodness, if I spent 2-3 years on the BASICS, I would hate piano with a burning passion. Must have an amazing teacher, since I’ve just hit the four year mark, and I am transitioning to level 10.

[carlalimastudio]

Cool, I really appreciate your content. Thanks for the video! 🌷

[KeepingOnTheWatch]

Since I’m only doing 5 pieces per level I don’t want to skip any grades. However, I do understand the thoughts presented here that doing only five pieces will prevent one from getting opportunities for different music, sight reading etc.. Things to think about.

[PianoSpiceRackwithJim]

I have found some learners do not like the great thing because it adds extra anxiety and most want to simply enjoy the process. But whatever works, right?

[SarahJane]

ABRSM only goes to Grade 8.

Where do you find Grade 9 and 10

Do you give online classes- what is your contact info?

[dagmarintreble]

3-4 hrs practise in total for one piece?? 😮 I am around grade 5-6 repertoire and it takes me 1-2 months 1hr daily for most pieces. Still around 1 week for grade 2 pieces for the 40x challenge. I feel very stupid now... And I don't think I am not musical, also diligently practise sightreading and scales/arpeggio stuff... 2-3hrs total practise time daily

[kimhogan]

Is the 10-20 pieces in addition to etudes, or including etudes?