Examinations

Remember that you don’t have to do/perform anything in a particular order. With your teacher, choose which part of the exam or which piece you should start with to make you feel most confident. 

Don’t leave any of your practise to the last minute! 

If you have an accompanist, discuss with your teacher where to stand or sit so they can see you clearly. You must play towards the ‘audience’ (in this case it is your examiner). If there is a problem on the day, the examiner will help you find a suitable place.

You can practise for the Musicianship tests in many ways between lessons:

• Listen to lots of music from recordings, the radio, or go to a concert

• Join a choir, band, orchestra or chamber group

• Before you learn a new piece, clap the rhythm from part of the music

• Sing back to yourself parts of a tune which you have just heard (for the first time!) on the radio or the TV

• Sing through parts of music which you haven't heard before to get familiar with intervals and patterns in the music. You can do this anytime - pick up a random piece of music from your music bag and choose a few bars to try

• With the help of your teacher, choose pieces that you really like. Practise them slowly at first. Careful preparation at this stage will make the final performance so much better.

• Once you have got to know the music better, practise your pieces all the way through without stopping. Get in the habit of going on immediately if you do make a slip.

• Be brave and play them through to family or friends to help build up your confidence.

• Practise page-turns (where they occur) and try to memorise the first few bars of the next page to help your confidence. However, don't worry, difficulties with page-turning won't affect the mark. In most cases you can photocopy a page of your piece where it will help to solve this problem. Practise putting the photocopy in the right position on the music stand.

• If you are a string, wind or singing candidate, make sure you're familiar with the accompaniment (particularly the introduction, if there is one!). Before the exam, try to find time to rehearse this with your accompanist.

Practise scales and arpeggios daily. It should be as routine as cleaning your teeth!

They help:

Remember that keeping going is the key to a Pass. 

Keep a basic pulse, rather than stopping to correct any slips on the way. 

Try out any part of the piece in the 30 seconds allowed before the real test begins.

Going for an exam can be a stressful time, however they can be made easier... 

1. Know the syllabus Your teacher will be able to find this for you, or you can download it from your exam board online.

2. Practise Practise does make perfect!

3. Keep it up Know what you need to work on most and what you can improve.

4. Don't be afraid of the musicianship tests!

5. Be calm Relax and try not to think about it.

6. Turn up early and warm up Run through pieces and scales before your exam.