Should I do an exam?

[kelly_kelly]

My teacher suggested that I do the ABRSM Grade 8 exam later this year, and I'm not sure whether I should. It would give me an actual qualification. It would also encourage me to work on technique, which I... don't have much of  I do play pieces at (about) a grade 8 level (at any rate my teacher thinks the actual pieces would be easy for me). And I've looked at the syllabus and found pieces that I genuinely want to learn, so I wouldn't be playing them solely for the sake of the exam. My main concern is that I'm HORRIBLE under pressure, and that I'll fail  I've never taken any exams before, so the different environment would definitely make things worse. But should I do it anyway?

[hyrst]

It sounds like you would like to do this, you are just worried about messing up under pressure.  If this is the case - go for it.  You already have plenty of good reasons why you would like to do it and some awareness of the negative aspects of exams.  Both are quite real.  Another thing you need to take into consideration is that you will be playing for somebody who may be kind or very tough in their marking and that is something way outside your control.  Sure, there are plenty of pros and cons.  You should remember that when / if you do an exam.  They are not necessarily fair and true assessments of what you can or can't do - but they do give structure to your work, a reason for that work and hopefully a qualification and formal recognition of what you can do. 

I would not worry about getting anxious - everyone does, though some more than others.  If you totally mess up an exam it really is not the end of the world - although the disappointment is very real after all that work and you might need to pick yourself up again by remembering the realities go far beyond whether or not you are any good.  If you are anxious playing in this kind of situation then the experience is one of the easiest ways of getting used to it and over time reducing such fears. 

DO what you have the drive to do.  Don't be afraid of it, but don't just do it because you think you 'should'.  If you want to, just the work is well worth it.

Consider that if you normally play at an A / distinction level, but you tend to have quite some stress about the situation, you could happily get a pass.  If you get better than that you can have a party and be very proud.  Use your self-awareness of nerves to temper your self-expectations.  Work towards an A level so that even with the nerves you still show proficiency enough to pass - and then you will also have the experience so less to fear if you try again.

[dana_minmin]

If you found pieces that you like in the syllabus, my answer is yes. I'm in a similar situation as yours, eg. playing G8/ATCL/LTCL pieces (pieces I like) without a solid G8 qualification. The difference is I'm just ok with (not very fond of) my 2 pieces from list A and B, and I really really don't like the jazz piece from list C that my teacher had me to do. Still, I'll take the exam this year, for the sake of the concrete qualification .

I think every musicians has to face stage-fright. Sometimes I imagine I was in the exam room when I practise, and think to myself "it's show time, listen up! examiner."  This may ease a little in the real situation.

[nyonyo]

What will you do with the certificate? Can you find a job with Grade 8 ABRSM certificate? If not, why bother? It is better off you join piano competitions which are much more rewarding.

[kelly_kelly]

I'm not going to get a job with a Grade 8 certificate, but when I apply to college next year, it could serve to show them that the time I've invested into piano has actually gone somewhere. And I'll never do well at a competition.

[amelialw]

What will you do with the certificate? Can you find a job with Grade 8 ABRSM certificate? If not, why bother? It is better off you join piano competitions which are much more rewarding.

I certificate is worth something though?

I would highly advise doing both? Exams get your cert's, competitions add to your experience as a musician.

I'm not going to get a job with a Grade 8 certificate, but when I apply to college next year, it could serve to show them that the time I've invested into piano has actually gone somewhere. And I'll never do well at a competition.

I'm just going to ask you this. Do you ever intend to go into music? because you won't be able to survive if you don't have any self-confidence at all. How do you know that you won't do well when you haven't even tried

[kelly_kelly]

Haha, that's funny. No, I don't intend to go into music. It's just a somewhat obsessive hobby for me.

[amelialw]

Haha, that's funny. No, I don't intend to go into music. It's just a somewhat obsessive hobby for me.

it is not at all funny to me. I am being serious about it.

[nyonyo]

Kelly,

I do not know whether you are a male or a female. Many males have Kelly as their first name.

If you are a male, dedicating your life to playing piano like Amelia is very risky. The chance of you making to level that you can provide food to your family is very small.

If you are female, go ahead do whatever you want to do. Teaching piano is actually a very good profession for a woman. After you are done taking care of the family and while your husband at work, you can make good extra monies to buy your Louis Vuitton hand bags

[kelly_kelly]

Wow, this thread has gotten a lot more serious than I originally intended. Amelia, I didn't mean to offend you or to suggest that going into music is silly. What I meant by "That's funny" is that I am nowhere NEAR the level necessary to make music my profession (just listen to my audition room posts). So I do not plan to do so.

I am female, incidentally, but it isn't really relevant...

[amelialw]

Kelly,

I do not know whether you are a male or a female. Many males have Kelly as their first name.

If you are a male, dedicating your life to playing piano like Amelia is very risky. The chance of you making to level that you can provide food to your family is very small.

If you are female, go ahead do whatever you want to do. Teaching piano is actually a very good profession for a woman. After you are done taking care of the family and while your husband at work, you can make good extra monies to buy your Louis Vuitton hand bags

btw...I am not becoming a professional pianist, I want to become a piano teacher
here in singapore, the market for good piano teacher's is extremely high.

Wow, this thread has gotten a lot more serious than I originally intended. Amelia, I didn't mean to offend you or to suggest that going into music is silly. What I meant by "That's funny" is that I am nowhere NEAR the level necessary to make music my profession (just listen to my audition room posts). So I do not plan to do so.

I am female, incidentally, but it isn't really relevant...

you did not offend me. alright, if you feel so...i'll listen to those recordings though.

[zheer]

. But should I do it anyway?

  Why not, you have a passion for music, that should come first, passing exams will get you places, it might not make you a better pianist but it will open doors. I am looking to take further music exams both theory and practical. My goal is to perform Beethovens Hammerklavier and apassionata at a piano examination, that is the requirment at the top end of piano examination, it may take a long time but most thingz dooooo.