Any reason for a "civilian" to take an ABRSM exam?

[jcabraham]

If you're not a college or college bound music major, looking for a professional career, does any good come out of taking an ABRSM exam? I'm an adult student, only looking to play for myself, but I think about taking the exams, as a way to keep discipline. Anybody done that?

[Bob]

Some people like to have the structure.

I haven't done any testing/graded exams myself ever.

[hanlat]

Exams can help you stay focused, and it motivates you to get better.  It gives you something to work toward, and you can get feedback on your playing from the examinor.

[kelly_kelly]

I was wondering that myself when I was deciding whether or not to take the exam, but I decided to because it would give me a reason to work on technique (with the scales and arpeggios and such) and because I actually liked the pieces on the syllabus, so it wouldn't be a waste of time. Also, I plan to include a music supplement with my college application, and I think an exam result would strengthen it.

[rc]

jcabraham, I'm sure your situation is common, there's nothing wrong with it and if it's what you want to do just go for it.

I decided to because it would give me a reason to work on technique (with the scales and arpeggios and such)

To tangent a bit:  I know not everyone has the same goals, but I strongly suggest more personal reasons to practice technique than to please a judge.  Getting more intimate with the connection between scales/arpeggios and musical expression.  If we can love the scalar/arpeggiated passages in our favorite music (which are all over the place, in various ways) then we can also see the beauty in a well played scale, its application, and how it makes us better musicians.

[dr. j]

I was wondering that myself when I was deciding whether or not to take the exam, but I decided to because it would give me a reason to work on technique (with the scales and arpeggios and such) and because I actually liked the pieces on the syllabus, so it wouldn't be a waste of time. Also, I plan to include a music supplement with my college application, and I think an exam result would strengthen it.

I have several adult students who are progressing through various courses given through universities and certification organizations.  All of these students are "civilians" but all enjoy the music and the organized way to approach their music learning.  I heartily endorse your reasons for wanting to take the exams.  Go for it.

Dr. J - The More You Play the Better Your Day

[dec90]

I was preparing for my associate as a side project, along with learning extra pieces, but had to give up the piano and have only returned playing these past few weeks.

There are good reasons to take an associate dip exam (ABRSM or others):

1. It is recognised as a form of teaching qualification, well it is here in Ireland anyway.

2. It means that you have to prepare a varied 25/30 minute repertoire that you have to perform. (I do charity recitals the odd time but that's limited to playing one piece)

3. You have to study four-part harmony and counterpoint (the latter I haven't yet got my head around) which means you'll have a good understanding of music theory.

One thing I will say though is that the scales exam only determines how proficient you are at those scales. Scales (and this is only an opinion) are not the silver bullet solution to mastering piano technique.

Scales however in keys that appear in your pieces are relevant (especially when mastering arpeggio runs), and also it's important to observe your technique (for that reason I usually played scales Hands Sep. most of the time).


I was also unsure about my "future" in music, whether if the Dip meant anything. I somewhat regret that now and hopefully when I get back into piano in a few months I'll be able to prepare for the ARIAM (Royal Irish Acad. Music).

[nanabush]

I'm so used to the RCM system (pretty close equivalent to ABRSM in Canada), that most of my students who are still in grade school will roughly be following the system.  I see much more progression in these students (even the ones who don't practice) than I do in the students who only play pop music.  It's good to get a good mix; I have one who is doing grade 7 RCM, but is playing some pretty good movie/video game music that would sit at a nice grade 8 to 9 level.  He enjoys the variety, and is motivated to get to the next 'level' and see the new challenges.

I have 4 adult students, and 2 of them have adult method books that use a lot of material from RCM.  About 1/2 of the music in these books are from grades 2-4.  They like starting new pieces every few weeks, but I still make them practice scales and rhythm.  I have one adult doing more advanced stuff, is using the RCM books and plans on taking an exam. 

Try an exam; you're at no loss and you will know from that experience if exams are really for you  or not  some people hate them, and others like the scenario of being graded. 

[n00bhippy]

doing the exams may be a good way to add structure into your studies of classical piano

[dec90]

Take back everything I said in my previous post, it was way too early in the morning and I misread the original post . The grades are okay I suppose if you're motivated to do the pieces. Sometimes it's best for mature students to work with the teacher on pieces they prefer and not prescribed stuff (my opinion).

But don't let that put you off doing the occasional exam with the AB.

[nyonyo]

doing the exams may be a good way to add structure into your studies of classical piano

No doubt taking exam will help structure your piano study. However, we do not know how old you are. If you are a senior citizen, don't you think play piano for relaxation is better....who cares about passing an exam...just play pieces that you like, join a concert etc...make it fun, rather learning exam pieces which are usually not fun.

I used to be thrilled by piano exams when I was young. Yamaha exam used to be very useful to get an employement, however, now Yamaha Music School are dying so there are not so many places where we can get employement with Yamaha Diplomas. It is sad....