Exams
My teaching philosophy is to make music lessons fun and to share with my students, my passion for and love of music. There are a lot of benefits to be gained from music exams, though I must stress they are not essential to the development of a musician! Exams are encouraged but are entirely optional. When a pupil has reached a standard for what is required of them to do for their level of study, I can then recommend when your child can be entered for an exam. If your child is almost ready to move up to the next grade regardless of entry into an exam, (if they/you decide not to take exams), they will remain at the same level as they move up to the next grade level and will be taught in the same way during their lessons.
I enter exams through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (also known as the ABRSM), or Trinity College London. Starting from Prep, Initial Grade, Grade 1 and all the way up to Grade 8 and beyond.
Certificates!
Upon successful completion of a music grade exam, students receive an internationally accredited certificate. ABRSM and TCL Exams are regulated in the UK by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment CCEA Regulation.
They are also part of the RQF - click on www.abrsm.org/regulation for more information.
As a guide, grade 5 is equivalent to GCSE level,
Grade 6 – 8 A level.
UCAS university points are rewarded for grades 6, 7 and 8.
Why take a music exam? - the benefits
Exams provide an attainment goal for students to work towards, which not only provides them with a sense of achievement, pride and confidence, but will also contribute to improvement of technique and artistry. They are designed to inspire and challenge and to recognise and celebrate progress.
Working towards an exam encourages learners to develop their musical skills, knowledge and understanding and get the most from their music making.
Goals and motivation - Having musical goals encourages commitment, stimulates the student to practice. Success in an exam offers a real sense of achievement, and the student will receive a report with positive, helpful comments and constructive criticism, plus an impressive certificate which can be framed!
Performance and exploring different musical styles From Prep Test, Initial grade, Grade 1 to Grade 8, there is a wide range of repertoire to choose from, from Early music of the 1500s to Classsical, Opera, Musicals, Film, Pop, Folk Fiddle, and Jazz etc This allows students to offer a varied and
Boosting confidence
The experience of playing for someone else, whether it is teacher, examiner, adjudicator or before an invited audience is incredibly valuable. Performing to others builds confidence and presentation skills which can be transferred to other areas of your life.
Exams are not for everyone, of course, and some students are happy to study a variety of repertoire of varying degrees of difficulty for their own interest.
For me, the most important aspect is to introduce students to as wide a range of music as possible, and to encourage listening, sharing and enjoyment of music. Between exams, I like to teach other music and repertoire, which allows the student to transition comfortably from one grade to another. I never let exams dominate a student’s path.
Benchmarking/Tracking Progress Achieving a graded music exam gives the student a sense of where he or she is in their studies, and a visible, recognised measure of personal progress and attainment. Meeting other students who are further advanced in their exams is a useful and inspiring pointer to what can be achieved next or in the future. Graded music exams are also recognised by other teachers, schools, colleges and universities, and show that you have reached a certain level of competency as a musician and instrumentalist.
Building skills - graded music exams are designed so that skills such as technique, memorisation and musical awareness can be developed gradually and thoroughly.
What is involved?
Prep Test – this is an ideal introduction for children who have never taken an exam before. It gives children a good idea of what an exam will be like, without the pressure of pass or fail with no marking system. The examiner will write a few comments on the performance and a certificate is awarded on the day to all!
Grades Initial, 1 - 8
These exams are all marked and come with certificates when passed.
Please note: I teach all of the following elements in your child’s lessons, regardless if they are taking exams or not.
A practical exam has 4 sections:
1 Three contrasting pieces of different musical styles
Mastering the art of performing a wide range of music is an essential part of music learning. In preparing for exams, you can choose from a broad list of pieces chosen for your grade, each presenting an opportunity to develop new skills.
2 Scales and Arpeggios
Learning scales and arpeggios helps to develop reliable muscle memory for common finger movements and improves tone control across the full note range. Also helps to develop pitch and interval awareness and become familiar with keys giving you confidence in sight reading, learning new pieces, and performing.
3 Sight Reading
Learning to sight-read helps you to develop quick recognition of keys and tonality, rhythm, and common patterns of beats. It also helps you to keep going even when making mistakes and work music out for yourself – which makes learning new pieces quicker and easier.
Being able to sight read enables you to explore new pieces independently which increases confidence. Notation on the page is more readily transformed into sound.
4 Aural Tests
Enable you to assess own sound and balance with others, keeping in time and play with a sense of rhythm and pulse. Help you play in tune. Listening
Commitment needed – practising etc
A level of commitment will be required from you and your child if you/they would like them to take an exam.
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Regular attendance to lessons remembering to bring in your own instrument, music to lessons.
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Because all the elements required to take an exam, 30min weekly lessons are needed. While working towards the exam.
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Students are required to work hard in their lesson (not something I see them struggling with as they are working so well already!) but they must also commit to regular practising at home too!
Leading up to the exam, practise 5 - 6 sessions per week are recommended.
Where do exams take place and when?
Grade Exams take place at a centre near to where you live.
There are 3 sessions per year:
Spring: March to April
Summer: June to July
Autumn: November to December
What happens in an Exam?
Many examiners have taken graded exams themselves and therefore are sympathetic that candidates may feel nervous.
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Rehearse with Pianist in warm up room
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At the start to each exam the examiner or steward will help adjust music stand, warm up with a few notes etc. Attending teachers or accompanists can then assist tuning their Violins.
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Candidate can choose to do the exam in order they usually choose pieces first, followed by scales, sight reading and aural tests.
