‘Who developed the concept of playing from memory?’ This question is pursued on the lips of many piano pupils, conservatoire students, and professionals. Memorising a work, or playing without the score, certainly puts an extra strain on an artist. Every note must be meticulously rehearsed and learned to the point of distraction, or, might I…
Tag: Exams
How should I practice my scales?
The music exam season is virtually upon us and so the inevitable question of scale practice arises. Whether you are taking Grade 1 or Grade 8, you will need to practice your scales regularly. There is always a strong temptation to just play them through quickly moving on to more interesting parts of your exam….
Do music examiners account for nerves?
Do music examiners account for nerves? Several readers have asked me this question recently. Everybody feels some kind of anxiety before an exam. It doesn’t really matter what type of test is being taken, it’s just the fear of being scrutinized. Some students deal with nerves better than others and the most effective way to…
Melanie Spanswick 