Hi again everyone (been too busy to log on for a while)

I have a recorder pupil entered for the Prep Test on Wednesday. Trouble is, we had the last lesson on Friday and he still can't play the memory tunes from memory, and his pieces are pretty ropey too. He seems to have done NO practice recently. I teach him in a group at school and he has missed one or two lessons this term. he is the sort of child who leaves practice until the last minute - I encouraged him to enter for the Prep Test because I thought it would give him an incentive - he made huge progress for last summer's concert.

I often have Prep Test pupils who leave learning the memory tunes until the last minute - but they always come up trumps in the end. I read the riot act to this class last week, and the others played them perfectly on Friday, but he couldn't even attempt them.

So I spent some time with him on his own at the end of the lesson, going through my usual last-minute learning techniques with very little effect.

So what happens in a Prep Test if someone can't do what is required? I know there is no fail, and the examiners have to write something positive - but if there's nothing positive to say...?

I have very little contact with the mother as it is a school group. Would you suggest pulling him out? I feel it's a bit late to try to get in touch with the mother about it now. I am hoping to arrange an extra lesson with him on Tuesday, but am worried that if he has made no progress by then there will be nothing I can do.

I can hear you all tut-tutting now, because I should not have let it get this late before trying to sort him out, but I honestly thought he would pull himself together - I've never experienced anything like this before. If anything, he has gone backwards since I entered him; all the others are now streets ahead.

Any advice?

No, no tutting at all

I think I asked a similar question here about a year ago when a piano prep test pupil had been ill, hadn't practised, so I didn't think she'd manage.

It all turned out well and she got some lovely comments. It made her day and I was so glad I didn't pull her out.

That was the first prep test entry I'd done so just wasn't sure, but now I'd say don't be overly concerned. I'm sure it won't be a disaster, and as long as he takes a stab at everything it will be fine.

The examiner was so nice to her and signed her book too

I wouldn't worry too much Alison. I have recently taken on a pupil who is way behind what I would consider 'Prep Test' standard and I was very surprised to find he had a prep test report tucked inside one of his old piano books (not mentioned by Mum or pupil). I had a very brief read through (discreetly) and it was full of positive comments about his being 'obviously musical'. However, just at the end there was a comment to 'make everything more secure before attempting Grade One'. Usually the reports I get are 'see you at Grade One', 'very well prepared work now work on your dynamics' or 'you are now ready to move on with confidence' etc etc.

But we're talking here can't play the memory tunes at all. Even if you give him the starting note he'll probably only manage about 2 more before giving up. I went over and over one of them at the last lesson just the first two bars, and he couldn't do it even then. I just hope some miracle has happened over the weekend...

I am sure the examiner has sat through at least one interminable training course on how to cope in such circumstances...

Can your student play the right tunes with the music or, if not, anything else without the music?

Yes these were pretty exactly the comments I received for a candidate who frankly just stopped trying once I'd entered them for the PT. So I couldn't fault the examiner, but nevertheless it was not a positive experience for my candidate because they felt weak and unprepared in the exam room. But here there is another issue in that others in the child's group will presumably go through it all acquitting themselves quite well, so can you really withdraw him? Only you know your student - and the family - well enough to guage which would be the better experience - it is difficult to say anything more than trust your own judgement/ gut feeling.

Has he actually been paying enough attentiion so that he can sing them?
Checking he knows what they go like sound wise might help ....

Ahh, thanks David. I hadn't thought of this option if needs be.
I have booked an emergency lesson with him in school time tomorrow. Had to liase with the secretary - she said, "I'll check with the teacher but I'm sure it would be OK. You won't want him for long will you - just ten minutes?" I said, "Half an hour would be good," (thinking an hour would be better) and her jaw dropped... So I have half an hour with him tomorrow - surely we should be able to make some progress in that time... Wish me luck!

Yes - good luck!

I was just about to suggest that he tries singing the exercises with you, while he plays, to get the energy going, but then realised his instrument is the recorder - could be expecting a bit much!!

Just had our emergency lesson. He has learnt one of the memory tunes!!!!!!!! Doesn't always get it right, but usually self-corrects. This is the best I can hope for. spent some time going over the others and felt he was getting there - if he does loads of practise tonight we might be in with a chance.

No, he can't sing them, and his rhythm in his other pieces is pretty random. Basically, it is a case of being too laid back about the whole thing and not remembering to practise - over the past 18 months, not just the last few weeks!

But I do feel a bit happier having spent time with him this morning, and thank you all for your encouragement.

Of course - because it's only music, so it must therefore be sufficiently unimportant that it only necessitates ten minutes! Honestly! Who'd ever suggest that a pupil requiring remedial maths or English tuition should be given a mere ten-minute lesson?

Anyway, now I've got that off my chest, hope all goes well for your pupil!

Hope all goes well!
Do let us know how he gets on - it will be interesting to hear the examiner's comments.

All was well. I wrote a note to the examiner asking if he could use the music for two of the memory tunes, which was OK. The examiner wrote very factual comments on all the Prep Test certificates ("Piece X was generally secure but there were some hesitations" seemed to be a common one) and just did the same here, but adding "keep working on the memory". He ended up "A good start. Keep it up!", which he put at the end of everyone's.

So, panic over, and thank you all for your support.

I'm glad it turned out OK!

Slightly off topic, but this seemed like a sensible place to double check: it IS acceptable for the teacher to act as accompanist for the Prep Test isn't it? Someone has told me yes before, but I want to be absolutely sure. I have 2 children doing it on Tuesday, and while one is happy to go in by himself and have the examiner as his accompanist, the other would prefer the familiarity of having me there.

Yes, the teacher or the examiner can act as accompanist.

Thank you!