my grade 8 piano exam is on the 23rd of november and im really nervous! (i know its silly cuz iv got plenty of time)
i was just wondering how much practise ud recoment (per day) with out driving you mad?!? - i have a very short attention span
thnx

Are all the componants of the syllabus in tip-top shape now? For my pupils I don't get them to practise by time but by aim. What aims have you got now? Scales, S/R and aural everyday is still important at this stage. If the pieces are wonderful don't overdo them now. Play them a little, but look at other repertoire too for a few days if you can. Play some ensemble pieces if you can as this will be good to keep the pulse going with your S/R.

What does your teacher suggest?

she suggests i focus on scales, which i really need to do. thnx for th advice

You saved me the time of doing my own topic like this!! Im doing grade 7 piano then... im scared pooless... lol, good luck!

Eat a banana before the exam!

Good luck. I will go with your teacher's suggestion, as after all, she knows your strengths and weaknesses best. Concentrate on your scales, but don't overdo them - do some each day, and play some other pieces too. Don't overpractice your pieces either; I did this for one of my pieces at Grade 4 and that piece got a lower mark than the one I didn't practice so much.

I'm not sure how long you should practice per day because I'm hardly at Grade 8 yet - but I suppose about an hour? Not sure about this one though.

D'oh, I was too slow!

Car Expert

Is that true?

It says on my profile that I'm a banana fan, and I usually give people the tip of having a banana before their exam!

Car Expert

Apparently they reduce nerves.....I'm yet to try it, I usually can't eat a thing before exams!

i know what you mean, theyre so scary!

Errr....why are bananas scary?

Whoever it was who suggested walking into the exam room as a famous musician instead of yourself, is a genius. Try it, it works!

You'll all be fine! Good luck

It's from The Inner Game of Music

NOOOO, I know this is off topic but HELLLP! I know this may not be really big but i'm doing my grade 1 violin exam on thursday and i am so scared. Its my first ever exam.

i took my grade 7 clarinet earlier 2day - and i was soooooooo nervous.

and i know i've failed. i had 2 restart one of my pieces

and messed up the others

and im pretty bummed cuz i spent all day yesterday practising (had day of school)

hmph

life goes on

ABS,

My advice is to try and stay calm and act confident, and eat a banana before the exam - they calm down your nerves!

Good luck! Make sure you give us some feedback on how the exam went.

Cheers,
Car Expert

Never mind a banana I think I'll be swigging whiskey before my clarinet grade 8 on december 9th! After the chaos I've had leading up to it! lol!
In case anyone missed my post in the general forum my music teacher's hand seized up (cant move at all!) four days ago and was told by the doctor that he couldnt play for my exam!!! That was with 11 days to go! Luckily this morning I found another pianist to play for me tho so it's all good now!

Anyhoo I'll give the banana a go Car Expert! Thanks for the tip!

Hi ABS

Everyone has to start somewhere. All of us have a "first ever" exam. But it will be OK, honest.

Your teacher wouldn't encourage you to take it unless you had a jolly good chance of passing.

Look at it as a chance to show the examiner what you can do - they will want to pass you if they can.

Very good luck.

Cheers

Katyjay

No problem!

Car Expert

Thanks, Car Expert and Katyjay.
I'm going to eat loads of bananas before the exam.
My form tutors daughter did hers last week so that made it better when she told me.
Its tommorow. *weird face*

Heya, good luck!
I know exactly how you feel! I did my violin grade 1 when I was 10, and I was soooo nervous. Good luckx