Hi,

Does anyone have any tips for reducing nerves when going into an exam? One of my adult students gets quite nervous, he is going in for grade 3 at Christmas so any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I've suggested he performs as much as possible in the mean time.

Many thanks,

Tasha

Tell him to try practising in front of an audience as much as he can even if it's just friends or family. It'll put him under a similar sort of pressure (although obviously not as nerve-wracking) as being in the exam because he'll want to perform well. During the exam tell him to imagine the examiner isn't there. I know it's hard but it really helped me when I took my grade 6 earlier this year. I pretended I was practising by myself & my pieces went really well. People also say eating a banana beforehand helps to calm nerves but I'm not sure how effective that actually is.

I hope his exam goes well.

Lisa xxx

I totally agree with Lisa87's advice.

I'm sorry I can't give any, because I also get very nervous! It's best to think of the music though if you can, and play as though no one's listening. The pieces are the part when I'm most nervous unfortunately, as I keep thinking it can go wrong any minute! Silly, really.

If it's any comfort to your student, I too am going in for Grade 3 piano in the Autumn term (I suppose it will be November time) and I'm 18!

Anyhow, I wish him all the best for his exam and I'm sure he'll do fine!

Tasha.t if you're in the right part of the country, there's an Adult Learners' Concert coming up in Stalybridge on 29th July. This might be a good opportunity for your pupil to meet more of us who are in the same boat, to share support and compare experiences. Unfortunately it's too late to sign him up to play now, but that would be a possibility in any future concert of course.

See this thread.

Car Expert

Hello. I ask the student to remember how they first felt when playing in front of me for the first time, and then suggest that I am off sick and am being replaced by a stand in tutor for the exam period. Anyone who can survive their first lesson with me can survive anything!! Good luck.


Piano teacher
Dip.Mus (Open)
Grade 7 Theory (Awaiting results!)

Hi Charlie's Aunt - I notice you're quite new. Welcome If you'd like to put your bits&bobs in a signiture (appears under your posts), then go to your controls and edit your profile/signiture.

Thanks for those tips, I especially like the eating a banana beforehand - thanks Lisa87.

Steinway - good luck with your exam - which pieces have you chosen?

Car Expert - I'll check out that thread - thanks very much.

Loads of help as always - thanks people.

Tasha

Hello. Thanks for the tip! Wasn't sure how you did that- now I know!

Another DipMus!!!

Want to join me and mrb in the Masters??

Hello. I'm working towards the Humanities (with Music) Degree at the moment with the OU. Then (hopefully!!) will go for the Masters. How are you finding it? Did you go to Summer School for your DipMus? I went to Durham and had a great time.

Yes! Durham was fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I remember though having to work on the TMA on figured bass while I was there.

Masters is a bit fraught at the moment. I am well behind with it. Absolutely loads of reading, which I should be doing now not posting here. :guilt smiley:

Good to hear you enjoyed Durham. A wonderful setting for the beautiful music played al week.
I have to say I find the OU's (And the AB's theory papers) obsession with figured bass a bit overpowering. And I share your guilt with not reading instead of posting!! Good luck with the Masters.

Well I've started this new thing where I go in and think "man I'm sooo much better than he is, I'm gonna rock his socks" I mean obviously being the examiner he's waaay better, but it helps. I just have to remember to still sound polite so it doesn't seem like I'm obnoxious or arrogant.
Good luck with your student!

Playing in front of people is marvellous for the nerves. I was playing organ today, with a church that had people in it. It was the best practice session I've ever done!

Failing that, get some Morrisons own Orange Juice...