I know im not a teacher - but you guys can answer this question better, i posted y'day in students with limited replies....

And i *really* want an A , so i need to know what the examiner is looking for to mark me an A ?


Apart from getting the right notes, rhythm, pitch etc, what are examiners looking for to give you the best mark possible...im hoping for 8/10's ?

My instruments are clarinet and voice if that helps...

Any advice welcome, i really want the highest mark atall acheivable coz i could maybs get an A?

xxx

I agree with David. A performer who can demonstrate that extra emotional connection with their music and engage the examiner's appreciation further than simply marking mechanical ability will achieve that extra 2/3 marks nearer the distinction bracket. Don't forget to put full effort into all of the other required disciplines also. Too often the pieces are the principal focus and scales, sight reading, aurals etc. are somewhat relegated as secondary. Plenty of careful preparation. You sound determined and I wish you the very best with your ambitions.

Try to be engaged with the music, work out the order you're going to play things in before you go in. On the clarinet you might want to think about leading a bit more than you might normally, bringing phrases off, giving clear indications to the accompanist etc. It's good if you can enjoy, or at least seem to enjoy, playing in the exam, often easier said than done though. Before you go in try taking a few deep breaths, holding it for a few seconds, then slowly exhaling, it's meant to help with breath control in the exam, and slow the heart rate I think.

Laura, I couldn't find your thread in Students so I'll add my bit here (I'm not a teacher I'm an adult beginner who took my very first music exam last year - oboe G3).

Firstly, be familiar with the requirements. Read the marking criteria in "These Music Exams" downloadable from http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/index.html

Musicality really is at the heart of getting a good mark. My examiner's remarks were very positive regarding phrasing, articulation and a sense of ensemble with the pianist (I was particularly pleased with that one as I worked on it). I knew there would be fluffed notes (and there were) but my aim was to make it like a performance - no stopping, play through any mistakes, stay in time above all else. The result was 27/30 for each piece and 29/30 for my study (which I was pretty amazed at).

But even if you do that, you still need good marks in the other elements (as others have said). Make sure you know your scales and arpeggios so you can do them fluently at a reasonable tempo without hesitating. If you make a mistake carry on as if you were playing a piece. Mine were not perfect but again I got good marks.

Do plenty of sight reading and aural work (with your teacher if you have one). I left this a bit late but surprised myself in the sight reading with a really good mark. Again try to make it sound like a performance. Check the key sig, time sig. play maybe the first and last bars and any phrases that look tricky (as well as you can in 30 secs). Note dynamics and articulation. Count in for a couple of bars to settle your tempo then go for it. Don't stop, keep the rhythm, correct notes are optional and expression is the icing on the cake.

My aural was "good enough". It should have been easy but I simply couldn't bring to mind the tonailty of the piece (it had simply vanished from my brain) and I said it was in major not minor.

Anyhow, the upshot was a distinction.

One key to this result was definitely doing a mock exam with my teacher a couple of weeks beforehand. That turned out to be far more nerve-wracking than the exam itself. Whatever you do, don't get things OK-ish in the hope that you'll find a bit extra in the exam. If anything you want to be able to be on autopilot on the day.

Prepare everything as well as you can and you'll be fine. Good luck.

Its not a Board exam though - its just for higher music but id like an A

x

Hi Laura,

To get 8 /10 in Higher music you have to be accurate in notes and rhythm. There has to be a wide range of dynamic range ( I always suggest to pupils to add some themselves in addition to those in the music), it might be worth noting in my experience as a teacher and a SQA examiner a lot of singers forget about dynamics. You also have to convey the mood and character of the music. Ensure you use rallentando's and a tempo to your advantage and rubato is also a winner if it is appropriate in style.

To add for singing, facial expression and engagement in the music are a must. Think about the character in each song and ensure you communicate that character, it is very effective if done with confidence in musical theatre songs.

Hope this helps and all the best in the coming weeks.

"Musicality really is at the heart of getting a good mark. "

This statment says it all.

My students can play the music as written on the sheets and pass but the good ones show expression and feeling for the music and they get the best grades.

Make it flow with feeling.