MAKING THE GRADE

ON THE DAY...
If you have worked carefully and methodically in the weeks preceding the exam, if you have thoroughly learnt your pieces, mastered your scales and arpeggios, and have your sight-reading and aural well prepared, you should be feeling both confident and ready to make a good impression on the examiner!

Make sure that you've had a good night's sleep. Dress neatly and comfortably, and check that you have your music before leaving home. Ensure that your hands are clean and nails well-trimmed. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the exam. Don't hurry, but try to relax, you'll feel much happier.

NERVES...
Whether you like it or not, nerves and exam go together. Don't worry about being nervous - without nerves you wouldn't feel the necessary excitement and sense of occasion, and they actually help produce the extra energy you need.

You can learn to control them, though. If you're particularly nervous, sit quietly for a few minutes taking slow, deep breaths, breathing out slowly through the mouth. This will help to slow down your heartbeat and help you to feel more relaxed. If your hands or arms are shaking, drop them by your sides and try to feel their weight in your fingertips. In the exam room, alteration to the height of the piano stool may help to calm you. Remember also, that examiners are human! Just concentrate your mind on doing your best and enjoy your playing.

IN THE WAITING AREA...
Keep your fingers warm and flexible. Cold fingers just won't work properly!

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH...
Try to remain relaxed. Enter and leave the exam room witout hurrying. A smile would often help! : ) Be sure to know the titles and composers of your pieces; the examiner will probably asked you what you're going to play at the beginning of the exam.

Before you begin, sit still for a moment and think about the character of the music you are about to play. It will help you to concentrate, calm your nerves, and help to make the opening of the piece confident and musical.

Don't show any signs of annoyance if you make a mistake, just continue playing as if nothing had happened. Never comment verbally on errors (even a 'tut' should be avoided!). Remain absolutely still for a few moments after each piece. Remember that you are performing and that a performance begins before the piece and ends after it is finished. This will add to the overall impression.

THE RESULT...
If you were well prepared and you played musically and confidently, with scales, aural, and sight-reading all going without major mishaps, then you should pass, and pass well. Occasionally things just don't go so well for one reason or another. If you should fail and you feel you were prepared, then you must put it behind you and get on with your playing, it doesn't actually matter that much. Whether you take that grade again or begin to move on to the next is a matter for you to discuss with me, but whatever you do, try not to let it upset you unduly. Let us give our warmest wishes to the last batch of candidates who will be sitting for exam this friday; Samantha, Amanda, Amirah, Marcus, Teddy, Jia Yu, BEST OF LUCK!!!

Love, (though not always...)
Teacher Julia