Sorry if this sounds a bit of an odd question. I've picked the pieces that I will be playing for my TG Grade 4 violin later this year. One of them, I absolutely adore, the other two were basically the best of a bad bunch as I feel completely indifferent to all the pieces available.

Before now, I never thought my face showed any emotion when playing an exam piece apart from total relief when it was over. But recently, when I play my favourite piece, apparently I'm grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole way through, the second piece which is ok, I look fed up and the third piece, I look as if I am having a complete strop.

My problem is, if I am this transparent now about the two pieces I don't really like, what am I going to be like nearer the exam. I've got the awful feeling that I am really going to hate these two pieces by the time of the exam and if the examiner sees my face, it's going to be pretty obvious I hate them. In one way they are good as they will show technical ability but I just don't feel anything about them and I'm worried this will come across.

I've never thought about that before It's a good point though. But i don't think the examiner would take it into context You could try look enthusiastic i guess! Maybe you'll grow to like the pieces anyway?

Most of the time I pout and pull angry faces - or smile and raise my eyebrows when i play. I also look very angry when i play scales My teacher was like 'well aslong as you dont start sticking your tongue out at the examiner you can carry on pulling faces'

My OH told me just before my exam that I was scowling and pursing my lips when I played and that I looked awful! (I thought I was just concentrating!)

He told me to walk into the exam room, smile, and then keep smiling while I played. I still do this now and I'm sure it makes me sound better! Now I try to play as if I'm enjoying myself and not doing difficult sums!!!!

(Of course I winced when my scales were out of tune and I'm sure the examiner noticed that and it didn't do me any favours.)

If you really dislike these pieces that much think how fed up you'll be with 'em by the time you take the exam? Have you looked at the AB Grade 4 syllabus? There's plenty of time to learn 3 new pieces...

I don't think making a conscious effort to put on a particular facial expression is necessary, or even a good idea, otherwise it's very easy to end up worrying more about what face you're pulling than what you are playing.

Of course, the better you know the pieces (note wise), the easier it is to concentrate on the emotional side of the music and therefore you're facial expression will tend to match that emotion.

Some music does need a lot of concentration. A carefree smiley face while playing Bach (very thoughtful music) for example wouldn't fit the picture particularly well, and it would certainly push your concentration out of the window too.

While writing my post my tongue was firmly in my cheek of course

When I was younger and took my grade 1 violin exam, I failed cos I was too busy looking at the examiners! I kept on looking at them to see if they were looking at me cos didn't like performing in public when I was little, I hated people looking at me play and I always got confused with up bows and down bows, so I was really nervous!

I remember that the examiners were busy filling in forms and writing down comments, they hardly looked at me. So I wouldn't worry about your facial expressions too much when you play. Try and relax and enjoy the piece

Good luck!