hiya everyone. i have my grade 3 piano exam on the 24th. im nervous! Do any of you know that piece: 'Marche des soldats de bois', well on that part in bar eight where you have to play 5 a's really fast, the fingering is 1,2,1,2,1. i just cant do it. is there any advice on how to train myself or something its really bugging me and my exam is very soon. thanks, jess XxX

You'll be fine as you always are, but haven't you been doing this piece since March?

Remember to have a banana before the exam! They calm down your nerves!

Unfortunately, although I'm the same grade, I don't do 'Marche des soltats de bois'.

Good luck!

Car Expert

Take the passage away from the piece and practise it alone.

Try doing the pattern up and down on the scale of C.
1,2,1,2,1 on C
1,2,1,2,1 on D etc

Try slow, fast, staccato, with a different rhythm, with a metronome, without a metronome, standing on your head

Keep your hands and wrist flexible and try not to stiffen up.

Also, you could do it on your lap or table when you are away from the piano.

Be patient with yourself. It'll come

thanks for your help i have nearly got it now. i find the keys dont come up quickly enough for me to press it again sometimes and then the not ends up being twice as long. thnat really annoys me
lve jess xxxx

Sounds like you need the piano seeing to... or to try to get some practice time on a better piano for now.