[SwanSwan]

Hi im confused whether or not to take A level music!

I didn't take GCSE music my teacher suggested that the BTEC music would be better for me. I hopefully will get an A in BTEC music.

I am currently taking my Grade 7 Piano, Grade 4/5 Theory and 4 Clarinet.

Would I be able to cope with A level music?

i love music and playing and was once a career option but as i am not sure if i could do the A level course has put me off of it as a career.

So my effort would defiantly be there and i have some piano grades and theory knowledge.

I would rather take another subject and get a safe grade than fail music epicly!!!

Am i at the right level?

Thank you

[mozart27]

i suggest that a solid understanding of grade 5 theory and at least grade 7 practical is essential if you want to take A level music.
anyone is able to cope with a level music, it completely depends on how much effort youre willing to put in. its a difficult subject with lots of different elements from history, analysis, composing and performing, but it is definately not impossible. besides, im proff that you can survive through it! (;
you definitely have the skills as a good foundation, a level music really builds on these over the two years.
i say go for it! if not you will only regret it!

[Fishbulb25]

My friend didn't take GCSE music and she did well at AS. She had just taken her grade 7 in the summer before AS and I took the exam in winter. We'll see about our overall grades next week for A2... If you're at grade 7 piano I think you'll be fine. It's great fun but gets quite tricky at times. If you have a good memory as it's more memorising facts about pieces (for edexcel) and can compose/have alright aural skills then it'll be alright.

[SwanSwan]

Thank you,
this has really helped.
My parents said that i would regret it if i didnt take it too.
I think i will give it a go
This whole summer i am spending on grade 5 theory so i hopefully should be fine

Thank You

[Flying Pig]

Hi.
I got A in GCSE Music, but I must tell you that it doesn't compare to A Level Music.

This year, I just completed As Music, and I found it very hard. This was probably because I didn't have the skills of theory like you though If you have a solid theory as well as a solid performance, you are going to be fine!! I had no theory basics, but picked most of it up before Christmas. Lets just hope you don't get a grumpy old music teacher like I did though eh??

Good Luck!
Deano.

P.S: Don't expect the course to be all fun and practical (unless of course you take the BTEC, in which case have great fun!!)

[John123John]

Hi i have a similar debate, whether to do AS level music.
Im around grade 5/6 on both piano and guitar (never done any grades). I was doing grade 5 theory, but never finished it because the lesson was awkward to get to, not because it was too hard and i imagine i could teach myself to grade 5 level.
The thing is, i dont play primarily classical music (in its broad sense). Ive played a few bach and beethoven peices on piano, and done similar on guitar. But over the last few months ive really gotten into it, sstarted playing it and listening and really getting into it. I love music, and would even consider it as a career if i wasnt so far behind everyone else. (started playing piano two years ago)
Also i dont know what else to chose as a forth subject if not music.
Basically, do you think years of playing the sort of music you study at AS level is required. I did GCSE, havnt got my result, but i think i did well. I know alevel is meant to be harder. My piano teacher thinks ill be ok. But im just not convinced.
Thoughts?

[SwanSwan]

You should be fine then. you sound exactly like me!
I guess playing for years will give you a wider range of music to choose from and know what your best at playing but it really doesn't matter.

Ive been playing for 8 years and doing my grade 7 now and you've basically caught me up in a few years.

As long as your musical and willing to put in the work it should be fine, you cant really force yourself to be completely musical.
Its like Quality vs Quantity.
it doesn't matter if you've been playing only a short while as long as you enjoy it and put in the work and are ideally around 5 theory and 6 practical you will be fine.



GET THIS BOOK! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o01_s00_i00 A Student's Guide to AS Music for the Edexcel Specification 2001-2004 (Rhinegold study guides) [Paperback]

Its only a penny on amazon!
Theres is an A2 book as well!

Its really helped me! it tell you everything in the course and what you can and cant do (its not as scary, most of it is free choice and you can play pieces you want and choose sections to study)

[Flying Pig]

(Original post by John123John)
Hi i have a similar debate, whether to do AS level music.
Im around grade 5/6 on both piano and guitar (never done any grades). I was doing grade 5 theory, but never finished it because the lesson was awkward to get to, not because it was too hard and i imagine i could teach myself to grade 5 level.
The thing is, i dont play primarily classical music (in its broad sense). Ive played a few bach and beethoven peices on piano, and done similar on guitar. But over the last few months ive really gotten into it, sstarted playing it and listening and really getting into it. I love music, and would even consider it as a career if i wasnt so far behind everyone else. (started playing piano two years ago)
Also i dont know what else to chose as a forth subject if not music.
Basically, do you think years of playing the sort of music you study at AS level is required. I did GCSE, havnt got my result, but i think i did well. I know alevel is meant to be harder. My piano teacher thinks ill be ok. But im just not convinced.
Thoughts?

If you work hard, you will have no problems. Depending on which exam board you will be assessed by, you may not have to play classical music (I know I didn't). Read the syllabus before you make your decision. I had no theory background and around grade 6/7 on my instrument, and I think I pulled through OK (get my results tomorrow :O eek!)

[John123John]

(Original post by SwanSwan)
You should be fine then. you sound exactly like me!
I guess playing for years will give you a wider range of music to choose from and know what your best at playing but it really doesn't matter.

Ive been playing for 8 years and doing my grade 7 now and you've basically caught me up in a few years.

As long as your musical and willing to put in the work it should be fine, you cant really force yourself to be completely musical.
Its like Quality vs Quantity.
it doesn't matter if you've been playing only a short while as long as you enjoy it and put in the work and are ideally around 5 theory and 6 practical you will be fine.



GET THIS BOOK! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...ls_o01_s00_i00 A Student's Guide to AS Music for the Edexcel Specification 2001-2004 (Rhinegold study guides) [Paperback]

Its only a penny on amazon!
Theres is an A2 book as well!

Its really helped me! it tell you everything in the course and what you can and cant do (its not as scary, most of it is free choice and you can play pieces you want and choose sections to study)

(Original post by Deank)
If you work hard, you will have no problems. Depending on which exam board you will be assessed by, you may not have to play classical music (I know I didn't). Read the syllabus before you make your decision. I had no theory background and around grade 6/7 on my instrument, and I think I pulled through OK (get my results tomorrow :O eek!)

Thanks for the advice, i think i will do it! If im really bad i can give up after AS.
Good luck with your results!

[Flying Pig]

Thanks, good luck for your next year, and work hard at it!!

[John123John]

Oh yeah, I've found out that it is edexcel we do at our school. I looked it up but i cant seem to find out whether the performances and compositions have to classical music or is there a choice. Anyone know?

[mozart27]

if i remember correctly, performances are completely up to you and think its about 8 minutes ish for AS and around 12-15 at A2.
compositions have to fit a composition brief, which outlines the route you should take with the composition, for example 'a piece in ritornello form' or 'music to portray a lifecycle'. for A2 you can pick technical tasks also, such as madrigal writing, bach chorales or pop chords and basslines.
edexcel do cater well for whatever kind of musician you are...