Hi Everyone!!!!!!!!!
Finally got my exam date - 13 September 2005. Thank goodness I'm not suspicious! Anyone out there that has already done the exam??? It's going to be my first practical exam ever and I'm alreay having nightmares about dragon examiners!!! What can I expect? Do the examiners ask the tricky scales (like F sharp minor )? What is the dress code?
Please Help.
Sam

Hi Sam!

Don't worry about your exam. I did my Grade 5 in June and though I was terrified before I went in, it wasn't as bad as I thought. The examiner was really nice as well. For me, she only asked me four scales and arpeggios (one was E flat minor but I can't remember the rest). The aurals were quite short as well and the sight-reading wasn't as hard as I thought. I think they make the specimen test harder... or maybe they just let you off easy in exams, because of all the exams I've done so far, the sight-reading and aurals in the actual exams were easier than expected.

No dress code, though I wouldn't recommend going in a bikini or something.

Which pieces are you doing? I did A2 (Rondo), B2 (La Tarantella) and C1 (Adeus, Bella Morena!).

You've still got time to prepare - don't worry about it!

I think the word you're looking for there is superstitious .


Worry not about the examiners they are all usually quite friendly and do a good job of putting you at ease. For dress you can wear anything; personally I'd go for something reasonably smart as it makes it feel like more of an occasion and that might make you play better, no need to be overly smart though.


The examiners can ask for any scale on the syllabus and they may well ask for it so practise all those hard ones as well as the easy ones!

Above all try not to worry too much about it (easier said than done!) it's usually a very good experience and will give you a great boost to your confidence and playing afterwards, good luck .

For dress code I would suggest something that's reasonably smart (and clean!) not scruffy, but make sure it's something you feel comfortable in. For example don't wear anything that you feel self-conscious in or something that would make you want to keep pulling the sleeves up/re-adjusting as it doesn't feel right etc. as this can divert attention away from concentrating on your playing. A good idea is to practise in what you think you might wear so that you find out if it's comfortable or not. (I do! - before a concert I will always do a dry run performance at home in the outfit and shoes that I will be wearing - it's not actually such a daft idea, especially if you're unsure and it's your first exam.)

Don't worry! The biggest obstacle to playing your best is to be so tense you can't play well. Easy to say, isn't it

Dress in something relatively smart, but that you also feel comfortable in - nothing worse than an itchy collar when you're trying to play! Not sure if you're male or female, but if you can't pedal in heels, don't wear them. Sounds obvious but I can't drive in heels and still end up sitting at the wheel before a night out wearing silly shoes!!

Simple stuff like cut your fingernails a week or so before, don't wear a new ring, etc as it will make your hands and fingers feel different and can put you off.

Examiners aren't dragons, generally speaking, but they can ask you any of the scales on the syllabus. Just have them all prepared and think yourself lucky if they don't ask you hard ones.

Above all relax, and enjoy it. Picture the certificate on your wall....

hey dont worry about it, it'll be fine, i took my Grade 5 in June and got asked G, C minor and E flat, A flat and A arpeggios, F contrary and chromatic on B flat (i managed to screw EVERYTHING up except the chromatic, replayed G major scale THREE times and STILL didnt get it right!)

i personally think that starting the exam with scales is good so you can get used to the piano you use for the exam

Well, I took my first exam this summer, and was also extremely nervous - but I have to say the anticipation is worse than the reality - once I was in there, although shaking like a leaf, I quite enjoyed the adrenalin rush and the newness of the experience!

As to dress, I agree with the others about wearing something smart-ish. I wore my jeans, and amongst the schoolboys in their uniforms and the host and her husband dressed up to the nines, I felt really scruffy!! I'll know next time - it'll be my work suit!

Ps - good luck Sam!

I don't dress up too much, but I like to look smart - mostly because it makes it feel more like a performance and in a funny kind of way acting like I am a "real musician" (you know what I mean!) makes it easier to perform.

Also, if you're still at school, you can just go in your school uniform. That's what I always do because my exams nearly always end up being in the middle of the day. I just take my blazer off and I'm fairly comfortable, and it looks smart too.

I'd advise taking any necklaces/bracelets/watches off too just to avoid any distractions. If it's hot, take water and maybe a towel to wipe any sweat off your hands before you go in; if it's cold, wear gloves to stop your hands seizing up. I normally wear semi-smart stuff to give a good impression. Arrive in plenty of time, allow time for traffic/cars breaking down/muggings etc. I remember once there was a mix-up and I wasn't on the list and it took ages to sort out but I ended up still able to take the exam at the right time.

Starting with scales is usually good as it does give you a nice feel for the piano first. They may well ask you the hard scales. In one exam, I had all but one of the scales learnt well. I knew this one was bad, but I just could not sort it out. And that was the one the examiner chose to give me.

But yeah, I enjoyed Grade 5. I burnt one of the pieces so hard into my muscle memory that I can still play most of it from memory now, 3 years later. And it was the only distinction I've got (so far). So enjoy it and good luck!

And don't stress yourself out too much... It's just an exam, not a life or death situation. The key to getting good grades is to be relaxed and confident.






I did my grade 5 in May, and it was also my first practical exam (after studying piano for a year). Not as bad as most people make it sound...

Thanks soooooo much for the replies!!!
Now that I don't have to worry about what to wear, I may as well
tell you about my teacher's cunning plan to get me to practice more...
He has another student doing the same exam as me this year and I think I'm playing 15 minutes after her. Well, one day he told me he wouldn't be able to take
me on my usual lesson day, and asked me to come sooner. When I got there,
blissfully unaware about the fate that was to befall me, I found out
that he had arranged for us to play in front of each other!!!!!! Talk about pressure!
Anything like this ever happened to you?
Sam

Good one by the teacher

A few years back, my teacher used to get a group of her students at the same level together for a practice but I was too young to really care. And now I'm her last remaining student, so that'll never happen again, thank goodness, as I'd be much more nervous now.