GCSE Music - how difficult is it?

11

I am thinking of taking this, but I'm not sure about how hard it is.
For context...
I am Grade 5 piano, skipping to Grade 8.
I can play Grade 8 level music without too much difficulty.
I kinda like composing.
I'm not so good at listening (e.g. instrument identification), I don't have perfect pitch...
I'm looking for something which I can get a 9.
Last Year 41% of people taking Music got a 9, there were 8s, 7s, 6s, and 5s tho.
The other subject that I'm considering (History) had around 60% of people getting a 9, some 8s, 7s and 4.
Can anyone help?

Reply 1

18sphillips

9

Original post

by PRMX

I am thinking of taking this, but I'm not sure about how hard it is.
For context...
I am Grade 5 piano, skipping to Grade 8.
I can play Grade 8 level music without too much difficulty.
I kinda like composing.
I'm not so good at listening (e.g. instrument identification), I don't have perfect pitch...
I'm looking for something which I can get a 9.
Last Year 41% of people taking Music got a 9, there were 8s, 7s, 6s, and 5s tho.
The other subject that I'm considering (History) had around 60% of people getting a 9, some 8s, 7s and 4.
Can anyone help?

If you can play grade 8 stuff, you will easily get full marks on performing. Make sure you pick a slightly less complicated piece because at least on my exam board (Eduqas), you could get extra marks for anything above grade 3 standard, so there was no benefit to doing a grade 8 piece over a much easier grade 4/5 piece. Composing is fairly easily, especially if you already have some experience and enjoy the idea of it. For listening, if you've done grade 5 theory, it's much easier than that and not all of it is pitching melodies and identifying instruments. There tends to be quite a few questions about defining musical terms, stating what family an instrument is. Based off my music classes results, if you're at grade 5+ when you start your GCSE, you'll find it easy and probs get at least an 8 without trying too hard.

Reply 2

PRMX

OP

11

thanks guys, very helpful 😀

GCSE Music - how difficult is it?

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