When preparing for a piano examination select those pieces from the set pieces that suit
your hands and you enjoy playing. It is too bad if you don’t like Bach because he is
compulsory and examiners always hear the Bach right through. Learn your pieces in
good time for the examination and practise them through regularly but alternate with
other pieces so that the examination pieces do not become stale through over practice.
Ask your teacher to give you a trial examination a few weeks before the exam. This will
give you an impression of the examination itself and still give you some time to work on
any aspects that come up. Take every opportunity to play your pieces for family and
friends and listen to any helpful advice. Look for performance opportunities as a soloist
or accompanist or as part of a piano duet. One of the best ways of getting used
performing is to play with others. The experience of playing with others has the
advantage of taking the spotlight of your own performance. Attend piano concerts, watch
others perform and listen to music on classical radio stations and CDs.
When the day of the examination gets near, play your pieces through in the clothes and
shoes you will be wearing, making sure that you are comfortable but taking care over
your appearance. Work out in advance how to get to the examination centre so that you
arrive ten minutes before. Make sure you can pronounce correctly the titles and
composers of your pieces.
Try to arrange to practise on the piano on which you will be playing. This will probably
not be possible but at least try to get experience of playing on different pianos. When
you come to performing on a strange piano you may find it difficult to adjust. This will
particularly be so if the piano on which you will be playing is a grand piano and you have
only ever played on an upright piano where the music desk is at a different height.
In the waiting room warm your hands by gently massaging them and do some slow, deep
breathing to help overcome feelings of nervousness. When you enter the examination
room smile and greet the examiner. Adjust the piano stool so that it is the correct height.
If there are two examiners probably one will take a more active rôle but you should
interact with both of them.
Examination rules usually permit any recognised edition but the use of an ürtext edition
would be well regarded. Two identical copies of the music are required. One copy of the
music is supplied to the examiner for use during the examination. The other copy will be
used by you if you are not playing from memory. Markings for fingerings, expression and
pedalling must be completely erased or clean copies used. Do not use photocopies where
this would be in breach of copyright law.
Know as much as possible about each piece and be prepared to answer questions about
the title of the piece, the name of the composer, the composer’s nationality and
contemporaries, and the structure and style of the music. The examiner will probably
decide the order for the scales, aural tests and pieces. Never play repeats in examinations.
Stay calm, play beautifully and enjoy yourself. If you enjoy the whole experience the