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Topic: Royal Conservatory Examinations Anyone?  (Read 1524 times)

Offline cottonnotes

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Royal Conservatory Examinations Anyone?
on: June 11, 2010, 02:59:59 AM
Hello there!
Has anyone here taken any Royal Conservatory Examinations?
I'm taking my exam tomorrow and would like to have suggestions on how to get Appegios and 4 Note Chords down without any stumbling?
Along with memory work on pieces?

Offline quantum

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Re: Royal Conservatory Examinations Anyone?
Reply #1 on: June 11, 2010, 05:12:02 AM
Sounds like you are at least Grade 6.

If your exam is tomorrow, now is not the time to be making major changes to your technique and pieces.   You should be getting yourself prepared mentally and physically.  Get lots of rest tonight.  

Work on getting through your pieces and technique elements from beginning to end.  If you stumble, prepare yourself to just get back on your feet and move on.  Don't let stumbling spots stop you cold in the middle of a piece.  You should have start places marked at least at the start of major sections of the piece.  Even better, at the beginning of every phrase in the piece. 

Work on memory by starting a piece from places in the middle of the piece, not just the beginning.  If a slip in the exam does occur, this will help you start in the middle and carry on.  It also helps to condition the mind so it is not setup to approach the piece only from bar 1 all the time.  

Try practicing with environment stressors, or situations that are not normal for you.  For example, in complete darkness, with a different lamp at the piano that you are used to, with a chair instead of your usual bench, with the piano lid in a different position, with shoes or boots on your feet, etc.  The exam is a stressful situation.  Practicing with these different environment variables allows you to focus on the music, with less distraction by your surroundings.  

Record yourself, then listen.  It will give you another perspective on your playing.  
Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach
 

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