I’m a very proud and happy teacher. One of my pupils, J, said she wanted to do Grade 5 very soon. This was just at the end of last term. I told her that it was OK by me, PROVIDING she learnt all of the scales necessary before the entry date for the exam which is quite early in the September term. I think she might have been a little bit worried that I didn’t suggest much in the way of music for the exam, but I assured her that if she could memorise the scales, she would find learning the pieces a doddle.

I was really impressed at her first lesson this term. After the course J had done loads of hard practice and she knew her scales – maybe they weren’t 100% fluent, but she certainly knew the notes. I gave her a study and two new pieces and within less than a week she can get through them reasonably well. I’m very proud of her – and even more proud because she’s decided to leave doing the exam until next term when she’ll sail through it.

Have you practised your scales today?