I have a query regarding the musical knowledge section of the piano grade 3 exam. The part I am not sure about is 'Show an understanding of the reasons for, and and methods employed in, the instrumental or vocal warm up (of both instrument and performer)' Does any one know what they mean by this with regard to the piano?

I've gone through how the piano works with my students, taken the front off so they can see the hammers working, we did discuss this with the examiners on the supporting test workshop and they want little more than press a key, hammer hits string. They are not going to be wanting anything as sophisticated as testing the power of the pedal and how it will effect the piece you are playing at this level, just an idea that you know how it works. I've also talked about warming fingers up with students - maybe with scales as a warm up, but the chances of a grade 3 pianist saying this with a degree of sincerity so the examiner doesn't crease up with laughter is unlikely.

I have also spent time with them about the position that they sit at the instrument.

To be honest though, of the Trinity exams I have had so far, all questions have related to the music, not the instrument or approach to it.

Thank you for that Digby. I am already doing this even with the lower grades also I am doing this as well.

Regarding the pedals we have discussed all three but it does get a bit confusing with the middle pedal because as I am sure you are aware this can be a practice pedal or a sostenuto pedal on a grand. I have tended to expalin this a bit but generally refer to this pedal as a practice pedal.

Like you the Trinity exams I have entered candidates for in the past year have only been asked questions related to the music. But of course there is always a first.

Same here.