Are Exams A Good Idea For Mature Adults? Options

[snuglivixen]

If you're 'mature' and there's no real intention towards playing professionally? Is it worth the stress of exams just to be able to say you passed this grade. Is there any other reason for doing it other than having a certificate as proof of ability?
My teacher used to be an examiner. He says with a bit of work on scales I'm capable of doing grade 3 but it's up to me if I want to or not. He said that as an examiner he always found that the mature adult candidates suffered the most in exams.
I hadn't really considered it before. I only play for enjoyment and have a career so probably don't need certificates?
What would you all advise? Good idea or forget it?

[janexxx]

For me working towards exams gives me a goal, and some measure that I have (or haven't yet :P ) reached it. The exams are well designed to move you onwards and upwards technically in a structured way, such that you keep meeting different technical hurdles but not until you are safely past the previous one.

The stress of the exam is short lived, and I try and put it into context that it is not a career defining thing, its only for me, so if I don't make the grade its no big deal, there's nothing riding on it except my pride.

I guess you have to weigh one thing up against the other, is the stress of the event worth it for the measure and joy of the success at the end. For me I need that goal, but I know it's not for everyone.

[off_lady]

......... He said that as an examiner he always found that the mature adult candidates suffered the most in exams.
I hadn't really considered it before. I only play for enjoyment and have a career so probably don't need certificates? 
What would you all advise? Good idea or forget it?

Hi, I can understand your thinking at this cross-road. I started to learn piano about three years ago for fun and I do have my own career. And then last year, my teacher, so impressed with my diligence in practising, suggested to me to sit a graded exam. I rejected at her initial attempt, saying that I did not need a certificate and I did not want the stress caused.

But after soliciting other friends' opinion, I accepted my teacher's points that if there is a goal, I will progress faster and I will not feel bored at certain stages. Also, if I continue to play for a few more years when eventually I reach a higher level, it is only through an exam that you will know the difference.

But you will not want to try the first exam at grade 8, without any previous experience of attempted lower grade exam. You will feel more nervous than say you try this grade 3 exam now.

I did pass in the grade 5 exam last month, although the mark is not so impressive. However, when I try to look back, going through the exam helps me gain more confidence in playing, not restricted to the 3 exam pieces but also the courage to try other repertoires. And I think through the co-operation between me and my teacher towards this exam, we understand each other in more depth that she will know better how to help me through my further learning with piano.

O_L

[Andy-piano-flute]

He said that as an examiner he always found that the mature adult candidates suffered the most in exams.

I completely agree with that!

Everyone will have threir own personal reasons for why they have/ haven't gone down the exam route.
For me, I've done exams partly because of a lack of self confidence - not really trusting my opinion of my playing. Thinking that if an examiner thinks I'm worthy of a particular standard then maybe my playing isn't as dreadful as I think it is :D .
The other reason for doing exams is because over the last while I've realised that I really would like to be able to teach -&, as you may have read elsewhere on the forums, the debate goes on about what qualifies someone to teach & what makes someone a good teacher. So I feel to teach I really do need a piece of paper that says that on a particular date I played well enough to satisfy an examiner that I was at that standard.
But, exams are not the motivation that makes me practise, learn scales, arpeggios, play as varied a repertoire as possible & try to improve my aural skills. I do that because I want to and because I hope it will make me a better musician :)

[Gae]

As well as doing exams with my pupils I also recommend that they try the Grades even if they have no intention of actually sitting the exam. That is something that I leave for them to decide later on. In my opinion, doing all the work on any exam syllabus, whatever the Grade or board, is one of the best ways to progress on any instrument as it gives you a disciplined system of approach, goals to aim for and covers the most important areas of becoming an all round musician. As a teacher too, it gives me a tried and tested formula that makes my life easier.
Putting yourself through the stress of sitting the exam is optional though and depends how important the certificate is to the individual pupil. :)

Gae

[kenm]

I took my last ABRSM exam over 50 years ago, but I still claim to be learning and I am certainly mature. Exams are one goal, but not the only possible one. Even when I was taking exams, I also competed in music festivals and later we did that in family classes (e.g. with wife and son playing the Hindemith recorder trio). Nowadays, my main incentive for practising is playing chamber music or playing bass in an orchestral performance. I think you should do an occasional exam for the present and consider festivals when you have progressed a bit, unless you don't mind competing against talented children. In the expectation that anyone who tries chamber music will find it the best form of music making, I tend not to recommend adults to play only piano, because much of its chamber music demands diploma level technique, whereas other instruments can play in great works that make lower technical demands. However, playing simple keyboard continuo parts in Baroque music (trio sonatas etc.) is much easier and also very rewarding, particularly if you have access to a harpsichord.

[anacrusis]

For: you play with a definite target in mind, and that can give you focus. You know what you have achieved. You can get an idea of what sort of music is in your reach, and with what sorts of players you can get together comfortably to make music together. It makes you do all the technical stuff which is boring, but which gives a superb grounding when it comes to learning new music and sightreading. You also come across music with which you might not have bothered, otherwise.

Against: oh, boy, can it be stressful! Again and again I hear that adults worry more about them than kids do. However, if you think about it - if your career does not depend on it, what does it matter? For both of my exams, I had close family members in need of hospital care around the time of those exams...which really pulled into focus how little the results of the exams mattered! - and did very well.

I'm glad I did my grades 7 and 8. And am going to carry on. One of the things which gives me a real buzz is that the rate at which I am learning continues to rise, and I now feel I could one day play music the way I want it to go, the way I hear it going in my head. The exams are not the means to any particular end for me - I really want to play music with others - and do.

[Jen W]

For me, I've done exams partly because of a lack of self confidence - not really trusting my  opinion of my playing. Thinking that if an examiner thinks I'm worthy of a particular standard then maybe my playing isn't as dreadful as I think it is :D .

This was the reason I decided to sit an exam after four years of playing, although I hadn't intended to do so initially, mainly because I didn't want the stress.

However, the exam wasn't as nerve-wracking as I'd expected (only the lead up to it and waiting for the results afterwards <_< ) and it was actually quite exciting in parts (ie the bits I did well :lol: ). Passing well gave me a real sense that I was not a bad player after all and has boosted my confidence enormously. I shall do the next couple of grades & then see how I feel after that probably.

On balance I'd recommend taking at least a grade or two...as a progress marker, if nothing else.

[snuglivixen]

Wow what a lot of encouraging and well thought out replies. Thank you! :D

I certainly need more confidence in my playing ability. I don't know how well I'd handle exams though. I may have a better idea in 10 days :o (after my first ever concert as a member of Abney orchestra [amateur] )

You've given me a lot to think about. Most of it positive. IF I can find a way of putting it into perspective as you suggest, then it looks like a good idea. Even though my stomach is churning at the thought of it even now :unsure:

[stevensfo]

Against: oh, boy, can it be stressful! Again and again I hear that adults worry more about them than kids do.

Oh yes, I can agree with that.

My 12 year old is learning the trumpet. I talked to his teacher about taking an exam and she told me that she'd already started giving him pieces in the ABRSM syllabus for grade 3. She admitted that he was capable of grade 4, but thought it was best for him to start his exams with a good mark, to give him confidence.

I agreed with her 100% and brought the subject of exams up with my son later that day.

"Oh yeah, I just have to learn some silly scales and arpegi...things. No problem."

He then proceeded to play the pieces and scales without batting an eyelid.

He was far more concerned about his football training and going to a friend's for a sleepover.

Had it been me, I would have been on my second bottle of whisky to calm my nerves.

Kids!!!!


Steve

[AmandaL]

Had it been me, I would have been on my second bottle of whisky to calm my nerves

Forget the whisky, get yourself some bananas! They have very positive calming effects, cost only a small fraction of the price of whisky and without the hangover too :P

[thouston]

...less fun though...

[trudihiggins]

and I now feel I could one day play music the way I want it to go, the way I hear it going in my head.

That sort of puts it into perspective, I really like what you've written there
I'm petrified about my grade 8, but in a strange sort of way loving every minute, enjoying the buzz that I felt whilst taking my o levels and a levels, that sort of frightening pleasure, that you just don't experience in day to day living !!

[Katie 1]

The stress of an exam is by far outweighed by the the grin on your face when you receive a certificate .....