Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do we HAVE to have an accompanist in the exam? OK so the onus is on us to provide one (should we want one and i guess, why wouldn't you? It's just been so many years since I actually played with an accompanist ), but if one was impossible to find, could we just... do without?
Sorry for my rambling, it's late

To quote 'These Music Exams':



Seems to imply that they will listen to you but one should only not bring an accompanist by accident. This sounds like an emergency measure to me.

I think it's essential - it makes sense though - if you're playing a piece which has an accompaniment to it, then it's obviously not the same without. I haven't got a rules and regs in front of me so I don't know what would happen if you turned up without one...

That plus muddy shoes and one would be done for .

"Oops, I forgot my accompanist..."

Seems unlikely...

I think they pretty much expect you to have one, and to provide one. As others have said, playing with an accompanist is quite different to playing without: how different depends on the piece, but even with the simplest accompaniment it's different.

The music you will be playing has been constructed for a solo instrument and accompanying piano. At the low grades (as I see it from the oboe music I prepare with candidates) you could probably just about get away with it by not having the pianist, though what are you to make of the bars rest when the piano has the melody etc?.

However by about grade 3 onwards (certainly by grade 5) the piano is an integral part of the whole and essential to the performance.

Ask yourself, what do you think the music would sound like if only the accompanist arrived and YOU didn't?

The performance needs both and I'm sure that's why provision of an accompanist is regarded as essential by the ABRSM and playing without one is an extreme "emergency" measure, not the norm.

I suggest you try to find someone who'll occasionally accompany you for pleasure so you get used to the music that way and who then might play for you in your exam. I presume your own teacher doesn't play for you when you're working on your pieces?

Final thought - you don't say what solo instrument you're playing but on quite a few of the more senior lists on most instruments (and for all woodwind/brass List C) the pieces are written unaccompanied. Maybe choosing some of them (if your instrument has them) would help a bit?

Best of luck anyway.

Thanks for all your help - my problem is that I'm in Bologna and the exam will either be in Milan or Rome, each a good few hours away by train. Although I'm pretty happy to go my teacher may not have the time. Thanks again.

I'm very happy to assist you. Would you like me to send you my address so you can forward me an airline ticket from NZ to Italy !!!

Deal - if you send me one from Italy to NZ....