Now a 43 year old man, I have been enjoying piano lessons during the last 1,5 years, all the while trying to understand why oh why I refused to follow up on the various attempts of my parents to provide me with lessons as a child...

After searching for some time for a more structured approach to learning and marking progress, I came across the ABRSM exams this past year. Received tutoring and sat the Grade 5 music theory exam in June. Am now trying to decide whether to take the Grade 5 or Grade 6 practical exam in November.

Can sight read and sing fairly well and have learned 3 pieces and 3 alternates for each of these grades, but am hopelessly behind on scales, arpeggios, etc.

Who has tips for me on how to:

- choose my first ABRSM grade ;
- accelerate learning the scales (!!!) ;
- survive the exam with top marks.

I'm a singer, not a pianist, so I can't help you on scales, but for choosing which level of exam to go for, have a chat with your teacher, and see which he/she thinks you are capable of. If there is any doubt about it, I'd go for the lower of the two, simply because you are more likely to do really well, and that will give you the confidence and motivation to go on. There is also a useful book/CD on the aural requirements for the grades, so you can make sure you are on top of that part (it sometimes takes people by surprise, and they end up cramming for it in the last few days when they should be chilling out...)

I agree with thouston - that's what I did with my last flute exam (actually I was planning to do grade 3 but my friend who's a flautist told me not to be silly!) and I got 136 which was an enormous boost to my confidence!

Have you checked out the ABRSM performance assessment. You could do this instead of the exam and they will give you feedback and an assessment of where you currently are.

Thanks for your responses. My piano teacher has no experience with ABRSM but feels that my Grade 6 pieces are well ready. The problem really does lie in the other technical requirements of scales, etc.

I played for the tutor I used to get through my Grade 5 theory. She assessed my sight reading, aural skills and the pieces I had ready and recommends I focus now on scales, scales, scales. Then aim for Grade 5 this Fall and Grade 6 next Spring. Will work on other music in the interim.

Any piano students out there who have found the secret of making practice of scales & arpeggios fun & productive?????

I would strongly recommend that you get hold of a syllabus and read the requirements for scales, arpeggios, aural tests and sight reading. You might also read advice in "these music exams" which I think you can read online.

If your teacher is not yet familiar with the AB exam system it's vital that one of you does this! I know the requirements are listed inside the cover of your book of pieces (presumably you have the book of pieces) but the syllabus has other information in too, not least details of the aural.

As your tutor did, it 's a good idea to take your scales, aural and sight-reading into account when you decide on the grade, and not just the pieces that you can play.

Good luck.

Have a look at the free resources section of the Practicespot website. There's plenty of help on practising generally, and there's also a "Scales Chef" and a board game you can make to help you with scales (yes, I know you said you're 43, but re-discover your "inner child") - it does make it less of a bore and more of a challenge as you can't move on until you've got the scale right and you also time yourself. Give it a go!