Exam Warm Up Options

[Howie]

Flossie

If you re-read my posts, I wasn't suggetsing that the ABRSM was "breaking any rules". My two posts are asking what the rules say about the requirement for a practice room. Now I know, thanks to the replies, that there is no rule that requires a practice piano (or practice room in the case of other instruments).

Secondly, my point was simply this - it is undeniably logical, not to mention fair and reasonable, that the ABRSM should be consistent in applying rules regardless of how far away the country may be. That would apply to any other walk of life in relation to exams, exam conditions, syllabus etc. Clearly candidates that have a 10 minute warm up (say, in London) have a clear advantage over those who do not - that cannot be disputed.

As to Australia being overseas and therefore more difficult to set up - it is ludicrous to think that Australia being an advanced country (more so perhaps than any other in the world) cannot provide the same exam facilities as the UK. The venue I used was a church that had three grand pianos right next to the one in use - yet none were made available for practice. My examiner was also English. If they can get him there, they can provide a practice piano.

Finally, thanks for pointing out that I should "learn my lesson". At no point in my posts was I suggesting that my personal circumstances are the responsibility of the ABRSM. Quite the opposite. I was expecting a practice room to alleviate my drawbacks and there wasn't one - that's the end of the matter.

However, it should be commended that a 45 year old adult with a busy life and multiple travel requirements should try to learn an instrument despite the difficulties and the ABRSM should in my opinion (and here you and I clearly differ) provide equal facilities at all exam venues.

[Tom Piano]

Hi Howie,

A couple of comments on your previous post (apologies - I've not yet worked out how the quote function works on this forum), where you mention (1) that you have a digital piano, (2) that you travel a lot through work, and (3) that you're self-taught. Also, apologies if I've gone off topic, as your original question was on warm-up time prior to an exam. If I'm giving unwanted feedback, please ignore!!

I have a digital piano (also a Roland) at home (I've got small children and I can only practice in the evenings, and very early morning, so I have to be able to plug headphones in and therefore silence the piano), and I also travel a lot through work. I think it's absolutely crucial to play frequently on an accoustic piano. Even though digital pianos have improved substantially, they still don't match an accoustic. And you will struggle to develop a pleasing tone to your playing if you don't play regularly on an accoustic piano. I regularly try to steal an hour of practice time on an accoustic, either at my teacher's studio when he's not teaching, at a friend's house, or in a practice studio.

Whenever I have to travel outside the UK, I try to look up a practice studio online before I go, and book time in advance. Local universities can be a good idea (although some can have very strict rules about letting non-students use their facilities).

Another thing I would suggest is varying the settings on your Roland (if that's available on your model). You can change the touch of the keyboard, and the tone that the piano produces. It's well worth changing the settings regularly (I change mine every time I play), because I think it's good for your fingers to get used to playing on different pianos (effectively), and it will also help you when you do play your exam on a different instrument.

Hope that helps.

[JoMook]

Flossie

Secondly, my point was simply this - it is undeniably logical, not to mention fair and reasonable, that the ABRSM should be consistent in applying rules regardless of how far away the country may be. That would apply to any other walk of life in relation to exams, exam conditions, syllabus etc. Clearly candidates that have a 10 minute warm up (say, in London) have a clear advantage over those who do not - that cannot be disputed.

But they are consistent. You do not automatically get access to a practice room ANYWHERE and the "rules" certainly do not say that you will/should. If there is one available then that is a bonus. I have taken three piano exams in London and have not access to a practice/warm up room on any of those occasions. I think you were just 'lucky' the first two times.

[Solari]

But they are consistent. You do not automatically get access to a practice room ANYWHERE and the "rules" certainly do not say that you will/should. If there is one available then that is a bonus. I have taken three piano exams in London and have not access to a practice/warm up room on any of those occasions. I think you were just 'lucky' the first two times.

This is why my teacher always tries to get all her pupils into the same exam centre each time - there's a nice practice room, entirely separate from the waiting (for execution) room.

[Babybird2]

I actually think that the OP has a point. In some centres, people can even try pianos beforehand (like at the Yorkshire College of Music). Some places have warm up rooms and some don't. It isn't consistent...

[Kmi]

I'm an adult learner , like Howie, and although I've only sat 3 exams so far my results have been affected by the availability of a warm up piano. When I sat Grade 2 the steward obviously thought I was too old to be sitting the exam myself and 30 seconds before the exam time asked where my "daughter" was, so I had no practice.

Grade 3 - there was a separate room with a piano and I had 10 minutes to practice. Result - Distinction

Grade 4 - communal waiting room / practice piano. Room was full of competent teenagers sitting grade 5 upwards and their parents. Result - pass (just)


Now I check with the local rep and make sure that there's going to be a separate room and piano before I decide where to sit the exam.

[Howie]

Thanks Tom Piano, Babybird2 and Kmi for your comments, support and advice. If I take grade 4 (or re-take grade 3!) I'll make sure the venue has a practice room - even if this means travelling to Regent St., London. Like Tom says, its advisable to get access to an acoustic piano if you don't have one. I'd say it's not really possible to take the exam otherwise.