This month’s Pianist Magazine newsletter article focuses on recording your piano playing. What with most examination boards now offering a video ‘recorded’ option or a digital exam, usually known as a ‘Performance’ exam, it seems that this way of presenting piano playing is becoming increasingly popular. When preparing to record any programme, knowing how to…
Tag: ABRSM
New RSL Awards Classical Piano Exam Repertoire
For the past eighteen months I’ve been working with the music examination board RSL Awards. RSL are renowned for their rock and pop exams known as Rockschool. This arm of their work is popular the world over but probably less known is their classical exam syllabus. They published the classical piano exam syllabus in 2020…
The ARSM Diploma from a Student’s Perspective: Becky Flisher
I recently published a post about my experience working with three students who were all preparing for their ARSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or ABRSM) performance diploma exam. You can read it here. Today’s guest post has been written by one of those students: Becky Flisher. Becky is an adult piano…
Teaching Observations: Favourite Associate Piano Diploma Repertoire
Over the past few years, I have been preparing a flurry of students for their performance diploma exams. These so-called ‘final’ exams can be most beneficial, and provide their recipients with letters after their name allowing them to assume a high level of achievement. They can also provide appropriate motivation, a goal, and, most importantly,…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: ABRSM Grade 3
Selecting and practising piano exam repertoire continues today with ABRSM Grade 3. I’m selecting contrasting works or those which sit well together, thereby producing an interesting programme. This element should not be underestimated. Examiners are pleased to hear all the repertoire on set lists. For the student, who might spend a good few months learning…
Selecting & Practising Piano Exam Repertoire: ABRSM Grade 1 2017/2018
Selecting and Practising Piano Exam Repertoire is a new series on my blog. It will essentially examine selected repertoire across the grades. I’m focusing on two exam boards: ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and Trinity College London. Both syllabuses require three piano pieces per grade. Supporting tests are also required. These…
9 Tips for Success in Your Piano Exam
Selecting and Practising Piano Exam Repertoire is a new series on my blog, which will begin in earnest next week. Today’s post is in preparation, offering a few practice ideas to make piano exam study a more fruitful and rewarding affair. Some of you have written requesting information about piano exam programmes and how best…
Piano Notes 2017-18
Piano Notes were published in early 2017. They offer students and teachers a wealth of practical advice. This advice covers the entire ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examination board) piano syllabus. The syllabus spans from Grade 1 through to Grade 8 and it started in January 2017 and goes through to…
The Mindful Pianist: Mark Tanner
The Mindful Pianist is a book written by British pianist, author, teacher, composer, researcher, examiner and adjudicator, Mark Tanner. This volume forms part of EPTA’s, or European Piano Teachers Association, Piano Professional Series, and is published by Faber Music. I invited Mark to answer twelve questions about his life and diverse career as a musician. You’ve…
10 Top Tips To Pass Your Piano Exam
As the new term gets underway, many will be preparing for music exams at the end of the year. The aim of this post is to provide a few extra pointers and ideas for last-minute preparations Once the pieces have been learned, scales, arpeggios and technical work is all in place, how can students feel…
Do Piano Exams Matter?
On returning from my holiday, I enjoyed reading Rosie Millard’s recent interesting and thought-provoking article in The Telegraph deliberating over the benefits of music exams. She labels herself a ‘pushy’ parent, although I don’t find her approach particularly ‘pushy’. I think her concerns are fairly natural amongst parents who want their children to succeed. This…
It’s all in the Preparation: 5 Top Tips
Preparation is key when it comes to learning your piano pieces. Some exam boards have simplified the selection process. They provide recordings of all works for every grade. This includes alternative pieces, enabling pupils to choose their favourites effortlessly. Once a programme has been decided, the hard work begins. The earlier stages of practice and…