What should I do the day before the piano test?

9 Things You Need to Know Before Your Next Piano Exam Be prepared. The most important thing is to be prepared. ... Tempo, tempo, tempo. ... Rhythm is key. ... Avoid correcting any mistakes or mishaps. ... Just keep going. ... Memorize your repertoire. ... Remember the technical requirements. ... Don't panic practice. More items... •

bccmusic.ca - 9 Things You Need to Know Before Your Next Piano Exam

What scales to use over jazz chords?

The Dorian minor scale as a b3, natural 6, and b7. It is the most commonly used minor scale for improvisation in jazz music. It works over any ii...

Last updated Jun 25, 2021

Why are people always giving away pianos?

However, often a giveaway piano is given away because it hasn't been played in years or the owner knows that it is need of some repairs and is not...

Last updated Nov 30, 2020

Promotion

Be prepared

The most important thing is to be prepared. Your success in an exam is directly related to how prepared you are. Lack of preparation leads to mistakes and mishaps. When you’re unprepared and the nerves start to set in, you start to forget things like dynamics and fingering. Everything revolves around preparation!

Tempo, tempo, tempo

Make sure you have the right tempo from the start. Practice the first 6 - 8 bars to make sure you have the right tempo instantly. Not only do you have to know the starting tempo, but also have to keep the tempo steady. Do a metronome check to make sure you are playing at the correct tempo, especially through the more technically difficult bars.

Rhythm is key

Any musician will tell you that rhythm is one of the most important aspects in music. Aim to keep the rhythmic flow or continuity. When you lose that rhythmic flow, you can lose marks. For example, the most important thing in the sight-reading portion or your exam is not the notes, it’s actually the rhythm.

Avoid correcting any mistakes or mishaps

Mishaps and mistakes will occur in your playing. The key is to not let that affect the rhythm. Avoid starting over from the beginning as most candidates tend to make mistakes in the same spot. Imagine you were driving and hit a pothole in the road. Would you stop, turn around, and try it again? No, you just keep moving forward. The idea is the same with any mishaps or fumbles that occur in your playing.

Just keep going

The easiest way to lose marks in a piano exam is by stopping because stopping disrupts the rhythmic flow. In your repertoire, have specific pickup points or safety spots that you can jump to. While practicing, rehearse jumping forward to these safety spots so that if it does happen in an exam, you’re prepared.

Memorize your repertoire

Memorizing your repertoire is the easiest way to gain bonus marks on an exam. Avoid memorizing your pieces at the last minute. You should have everything securely memorized at least one month before your exam.

Remember the technical requirements

Generally students put more effort and practice into their repertoire because it’s more enjoyable to play. However in an exam, you must remember that the repertoire itself makes up roughly half of the exam (depending on the grade level and exam system). Doing well on the technical requirement portion of the exam is just as important as the repertoire.

Don’t panic practice

Panic practicing or cramming hours of practicing in before your exam has a tendency to build anxiety and tension that could cause other problems. The last few days of your exam should be more relaxed. Play through your repertoire as if it was a performance. Try playing for a small audience or even record yourself to try and mimic what an actual exam would feel like.

Practice in your performance clothes, especially your shoes

Normally we don’t practice with our shoes on or in fancy performance clothes. Since this feels different compared to what we’re used to, it can be a distraction. If you’re not used to pedaling with shoes on, it can lead to pedaling mistakes in your exam.

What's the best sheet music site?

musicnotes.com Founded in 1998, musicnotes has been one of the world's best places to buy sheet music online for many years. MusicNotes has over...

Last updated Dec 3, 2022

Will water ruin a piano?

Direct exposure of the case, soundboard, strings, and action assembly to water can commonly cause major glue failure of integral structural...

Last updated Jun 13, 2020

Promotion

Can dyslexic people play piano?

dynamicpianolessons.co.uk - Piano Lessons for Dyslexics | Managing Dyslexics | Music Therapy

Are you dyslexic or do you suspect you or your child might be dyslexic?

Learning piano can have a profoundly beneficial effect on anyone with dyslexia however often the teacher needs to employ slightly different methods in order for the experience to remain enjoyable and not frustrating. With my background in Music Therapy and my work having taken me into schools I am happy to offer a free trial session to establish the teaching going forwards. You can find out more about the benefits of piano lessons for people with dyslexia by opening with a high percentage of dyslexic pupils, I am ideally placed to create a specific approach for your needs. I already teach dyslexic children and adults and would be more than happy to discuss this further.I am happy to offer a free trial session to establish the teaching going forwards.You can find out more about the benefits of piano lessons for people with dyslexia by opening this link

Does Yamaha have a piano app?

The app is FREE and available on all iOs devices and Android. What does the app do? First and foremost, the Yamaha Smart Pianist app for the P-125...

Last updated Feb 27, 2022

How do people read sheet music so fast?

Recognizing intervals is a quick and practical way to learn how to read sheet music because your fingers respond to the shape of the music. By...

Last updated Apr 17, 2022

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

Who was the greatest pianist of all time?

The Six Best Pianists of All Time Sergei Rachmaninoff. Born in Russia in 1873, Rachmaninov graduated from the Moscow Conservatorium in the same...

Last updated Jan 14, 2021

Promotion

Which instrument is best for dyslexia?

Piano, ukulele, glockenspiel, xylophone and djembe drums are the primary instruments students are encouraged to explore. Learning to play an...

Last updated Feb 23, 2018