Hi everyone - I'm looking for some advice on how much more difficult the LRSM in piano is, compared to the Dip. I took DipABRSM two years ago and passed quite comfortably, but since then I haven't played a huge range of pieces and I'm worried that my playing might not have matured enough to pass the next level. I have started learning some of the pieces and I think that technically I should be able to play them (after a lot of practise!) but maybe my lack of experience and knowledge of the piano repertoire will show in the interview part of the exam? Or even in my performance?

Also, I was EXTREMELY nervous for my Dip exam (I think nerves is the main thing that cost me a distinction), and I know that I need more experience of performing in front of other people.... how does everyone else deal with this? Do you invite friends and family over for practice performances, or organise informal concerts of some kind? What I'd really like to do is get together with some fellow amateur musicians and play for each other, but I don't have too many musical friends unfortunately!!

Thanks!
Ems

Why don't you contact your local newspaper? It would make a good story. I think someone else on this forum (or another one!) did and got a few enquiries.

Doesn't your teacher organise regular concerts that you could perform at?

It's great to be playing at that level. The pieces can be a challange to play, but are certainly a pleasure to listen to.

I also get extremely nervous playing in front of people, and have been working on various ideas to get more experience of performing in front of people. These are my main ideas.

Forum concerts:
Playing in a forum concert is really good as the audience is so supportive. I played in one earlier this year. That experience gave me just enough confidence to start trying other things.

Church Services
Occasionally I play a solo at the end of a church service. I thought that people probably wouldn't be listening too carefully as they would be leaving, but they stay and listen. I also sometimes accompany the hymns on my viola when there is no pianist or organist. This has helped me a lot in getting used to playing in front of people.

Busking:
I haven't done this yet as it is makes me feel a bit vulnerable, but I know people who do this just to get used to playing in public.

Old Peoples' homes:
I haven't done anything about this yet, but I know some of the old people aren't able to go out much, and thought they might like the idea of a little free concert, maybe including some songs that they can sing to, but with a couple of my solo pieces. They might not notice the mistakes too much if they are a little deaf.

Lunchtime Recital for Charity (with retiring collection):
I haven't done anything about this one either (not confident enough yet). I thought that if I offered to do a recital for a local charity, then some of the people involved in the charity might be able to encourage a few people to come and listen. My problem with this one is that I haven't found anyone to accompany me on the piano yet ..........

Hi Ems...
I'm also that type pf person who gets SUPER nervous in exams/performances.....and it's horrible. I can play the pieces perfectly in my practise but however in a performance, I'm completely screwed (especially fast pieces.....oh no......). I seemed to be much better when I did my Grade 7, of when I wasn't nervous at all....but at Grade8, I was a little bit nervous and at Dip, I was VERY VERY nervous.....oh, why do we get nervous??

Great ideas, these.

I haven't yet been to a forums concert myself, but may well do one day...!

The Church one is out for me as I don't attend;

Busking I would really like to try at some point (watch this space!);

Residential homes. I have often wondered about this too. I think it would be a lovely thing to do, especially if you can play some older, well-known song tunes. I'd like to try this at some point. Let us know if you do, won't you, purple viola?

Lunchtime recital. DO IT! I think that'd be great. Having it in aid of a charity makes it easier in a way as you know people are not paying you to play. If you're not quite up to it on the nerves front, maybe you could double up with someone else who is in a similar situation and do a "shared recital"? Again, it's something I wouldn't mind doing myself - one day...

Good luck with finding a pianist!

Ems, I'm also in the post-DipABRSM, pre-LRSM phase and know exactly what you mean about not knowing whether you have matured enough to go on to the next level. Remember, there's no rush. And I guess it'd be much better to work on overcoming performance nerves than to go into the diploma with the worry of this "excess baggage". Best of luck!

Thanks for all your ideas! When I've got a few pieces up to 'performance' standard, I'll give some of them a go and let you know how I get on.

Ems

Ems I know it's not quite the same but I'm taking my grade 8 in July and I have a lunchtime recital (in a church) coming up this thursday where myself and all the other grade 7 and 8s taking in july are going to play our 2 accompanied pieces so we can get a feel for them and hopefully it will be in quite a friendly setting. I'd recommend it if you know many people about your standard.

Stephen

Ems,

Have a look at University Staff Clubs, or such like. They quite often put on recitals by amateur musicians, payment in the form of a free meal or drink. Great experience in front of an unfamiliar audience .

Getting solo recitals when you are not at school or on a performance degree is very difficult. I actually asked in the Scottish Music Centre yesterday what was available for adults and they have a big catalogue of things but found nothing. My problem is in fact piano. I've played my first instrument in public a lot, but with piano I just go to pieces through inexperience, as it's so technically and musically different. Forum concerts are a good thing, yes, as are the adult learners ones. If these were on our doorsteps everywhere instead once or twice a year in the country it could allow more adult amateurs to get performing experience.

Re dip to LRSM, they are defined as first and third year of a Bmus at one of the royal schools. Think how much work a conservatoire student puts in between their first year recital and their final one. That's the difference.

Yes, and not forgetting that these are FULL TIME students...