Grade Exam Preparation

Grade exams occur every term and while they aren't the be all and end all of playing the piano, they are a good way to measure progress, to explore new repertoire and to perform.

These guidelines are for parents and pupils:

1. Practise every day: I suggest a minimum of 30 mins for grades 1-3, 45 mins for grades for 4 and 5 and 60 mins for grade 6 +. Parents will need to remind and supervise. What to practise will be in the piano diary.
2. Don't forget your scales and arpeggios etc: Use the scales in a jar method, a tick box chart or the scales tricks list.
3. Make sight-reading a part of your daily practice: play from your official books, play from your earlier tutor books and play duets, songs, hymns, anything and everything!
4. Practise aural tests via either ABRSM's Aural App, e-musicmaestro's aural training or Hofnote.com.
5. Listen to your pieces, read ABRSM's exam tips and look at sample exams on their YouTube channel http://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-support/audio-and-video-resources/
6. Practise performing: play to your friends and family, record yourself, come and play at my concerts and get togethers, volunteer to play in assembly and in church.
7. Plan the day of your exam; how you will get there, what to wear (including the right shoes for pedals) and what you will eat when etc.

We will work out a countdown and have a mock-test so that you are as well prepared as possible. Higher grade exam pupils may also have the opportunity for a short practice session on the exam piano.
Results usually come within 2 weeks and then you can celebrate!

At the piano with Fiona Lau

I am delighted to appear on Fran Wilson's fascinating blog, The Cross-Eyed Pianist. Fran blogs about all things piano and interviewed me to find out what makes me tick:

http://crosseyedpianist.com/

It was very interesting for me to think about and answer Fran's questions and it made me wonder how my pupils and their parents got into music and how they would answer some of the questions. Feel free to share your thoughts with me.

Summer Not Just a Piano Concert!

I have booked The Salvation Army Hall Baddow Road Chelmsford on Friday 21st June at 7.30pm for our Summer Concert with a difference.

I am aware that several of my pupils play other instruments as well as the piano and so, on this occasion, I would like to invite them to play a piece on their other instrument. I will give priority to pupils playing other instruments or to those who have exams coming up. As usual there is no pressure to perform and you can just come and listen if you want. The evening gives those who want to perform a chance to share their pieces and enjoy playing in a relaxed supportive atmosphere.

Please have a think and get back to me about what you/your child would like to play. I am happy to accompany anyone who needs it. I will be chatting about it in lessons as well. Parents, family and friends are invited to be part of the audience.

I am really looking forward to hearing you all play and a lovely Summer evening's music!

Adult Piano Group- our meal out is booked for Fri 10th June, 8pm at Cafe Rouge and you can also perform at the above concert or save yourselves for our more intimate exclusive performance session at my house sometime in July!

Exam successes!

Well done to my pupils who took their ABRSM grade exams this term. The results came through today!

Very well done to Zoe and Daniel who took their Prep Test and had such a positive experience and received lovely reports and excellent comments from the examiner.

Imogen, Sophia and Jennifer took their grade 1, 4 and 6 exams respectively. It was Sophia's first music exam ever, Imogen was taking her grade 1 and Jennifer is still only 12 so for all three to achieve very good merits made me particularly happy. I was delighted to see that all pupils received high marks for their pieces and great comments about imaginative and musical playing- that's what it's all about. Many thanks for the support from their parents- it is vital and a key factor in pupils' enjoyment and achievement. Congratulations to all 5 of them!

Care of your piano

Care of your piano

A piano is a lovely instrument to own and may have cost you a significant amount of money. Here are some guidelines on how to look after it so that it gives you pleasure for many years.

1.     Placing your piano.

Try to keep your piano out of direct sunlight as it can damage the finish of your piano. Also keep it away from radiators and hot air ducts as this will dry out the air, affect the tuning of the piano and may crack the soundboard. Aim for a low even temperature.

2.     Cleaning your piano.

Most modern acoustic pianos have a high-gloss synthetic finish and so do not need polishing with furniture polish. I clean mine with a slightly damp cloth (a micro-fibre one works best). I do the same with the keys and then dry them off thoroughly- no water should drip down the sides. In fact keep all water (glasses, vases etc) well away from your piano.

3.     Tuning your piano.

Piano strings go out of tune and so your piano will need regular tuning by a qualified and experienced tuner. A good piano tuner will also be able to do any running repairs and so help to maintain its value. How often you get it tuned will depend on the age of the piano and how much it is played, your tuner will be able to advise you. A tuning will probably cost in the region of £50. My piano tuner is the excellent Daffyd James, contact on 02084698191. Daffyd always finds a time that is convenient for me, advises me on what needs doing to my piano, kept my old piano playable even when it was fairly dilapidated and does a superb job. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

ABRSM's Ten Top Tips for Graded Exams

 Ten top tips - graded music exams

1. 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
2. Use the time before your exam to get your music and instrument ready – you can warm up silently by moving your fingers or blowing though your instrument
3. Feeling nervous before an exam is natural. Try smiling as you go into the exam room – it will help you relax
4. 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
5. It’s fine to ask the examiner if you can warm up by playing a scale or a few bars of a piece
6. You can choose to do your exam in any order. Just let the examiner know
7. Try to keep going in the exam even if you make a mistake – it probably won’t be as disastrous as you think
8. Don't worry about pauses between your pieces – the examiner will be writing and will tell you when to start your next piece
9. Your examiner may stop you during a piece if he or she has heard enough to make a judgement
10. Remember – the examiner is on your side and is looking forward to hearing you perform!

Adult Pupils' Challenge

It occurred to me that we older pianists need little challenges in order to keep us focussed and to give us a reason to play and practise, and so this is my idea.

We should devise a 3 piece programme each, to include one fairly easy piece, one more demanding one and a duet. Also to include some relevant warm-ups for each piece and a verbal introduction for each piece- you can write it out as a writen programme if you want.

For example my choice might be: Chopin Prelude in C minor, Beethoven Rondo, Pathetique Sonata, Finger Bustin' Boogie duet by Wedgwood. Your programme will be different of course, have a think and aim for a summer completion.

We could have an afternoon tea/ playing session or just work on these in lessons, it's entirely up to you. Recording the programme is also a possibility!