Abrsm accompanist professional#

Make sure you have used the bathroom, and have everything you need before you begin – blank paper, manuscript, and pens or pencils.Check your exam room is clear from prohibited items i.e.Choose a room that is quiet so you won’t be distracted whilst you’re taking the exam.Make sure you’ve tested the compatibility of your computer here.

Top ten tips – online Grade 1 to 5 Music Theory Visit our online Music Theory pages for essential guidance and exam checklists as well as practice papers and preparation materials.

Remember – the examiner is on your side and is looking forward to hearing you perform!.Your examiner may stop you during a piece if he or she has heard enough to make a judgement.Don't worry about pauses between your pieces – the examiner will be writing and will tell you when to start your next piece.Try to keep going in the exam even if you make a mistake – it probably won’t be as disastrous as you think.You can choose to do your exam in any order. Just let the examiner know.It’s fine to ask the examiner if you can warm up by playing a scale or a few bars of a piece.Make sure you are comfortable before you begin. If the stool or music stand is the wrong height, don’t be afraid to adjust it or ask for help.Feeling nervous before an exam is natural. Try smiling as you go into the exam room – it will help you relax.Use the time before your exam to get your music and instrument ready – you can warm up silently by moving your fingers or blowing through your instrument.Arrive in the waiting room at least 10 minutes before your exam is due to start. Last-minute panics do not help the playing or singing.We all try our best to put the candidates at their ease and to make the exam room itself as welcoming an environment as possible.' – Juliet Allen, ABRSM examiner 'The exam is a really big occasion for every candidate, and making it an enjoyable experience is a very important part of our job. Our examiners want each candidate to do well and look forward to hearing them perform. Please let the steward know beforehand so that the accompanist can be shown in at the appropriate time. Candidates usually play their pieces first, but may prefer to begin with the other elements of the exam. Many of our examiners have taken graded music exams themselves and therefore understand that candidates may feel nervous and take a few moments to settle.Īt the start of each exam, the examiner will encourage each candidate to:ĭo the exam in any order they choose. Allowing plenty of time on the day, so there is no last-minute panic, and taking a few deep breaths are tried and tested ways to help the situation.īefore the exams begin each day, the examiner will have tried out the piano and so will be familiar with its tone quality and touch. Talking the situation through with the teacher can help and playing or singing to informal groups is also useful. Most performers, especially if given plenty of calm support beforehand, learn to cope. Accepting signs of heightened preparation for the activity to come is half the battle and using the extra adrenalin to good purpose is the next step. Parents, teachers and candidates should remember that these feelings are entirely normal.

Abrsm accompanist professional#

Shaking fingers, butterflies in the stomach and general agitation are all old friends to professional musicians! Newcomers to performing may find these perfectly natural symptoms distressing and need help in coping with them. We ask that candidates return to the waiting room in good time for the exam. This time is best used as a brief chance to warm up aloud – not for last minute practice! Sometimes the room will have a piano and the steward will indicate the length of time available to each candidate. Where there is a warm-up room, candidates will have a brief chance to warm up aloud.