Do you really need to take exams ?

[eliza1976]

Do you really need to take exams to ascertain your competency ? If you do not intend to take exams, are you missing out a lot of stuff ? I realise when I sign up for exams under a teacher, I get all motivated to go the extra miles to get prepared. But when I am not preparing for any exam, I tend to slack and just learn for leisure.

[kuska]

imo the only thing exams do is getting you trained in the stress. It's like any other public performance. You want to do well. Unless you need any kind of an official certificate.

[pianocat3]

My teacher seems to think exams may help performance so I may choose to do them.

[chopinlover01]

Depends on what your goals are.
To ascertain your competency? You can do that just as easily by performing for another teacher or posting a recording here on PS

I realise when I sign up for exams under a teacher, I get all motivated to go the extra miles to get prepared. But when I am not preparing for any exam, I tend to slack and just learn for leisure.

This, IMO, is the biggest reason for exams. They give you motivation to do well, and if you don't have anything coming up, there's less of an incentive to practice. Not all of us can be AJ and practice 12 hours a day because we love it so much

[ajlongspiano]

Not all of us can be AJ and practice 12 hours a day because we love it so much

   I'm dying to play right now... I. WILL. NOT. GIVE IN!

Best,

AJ

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Exams are dumb

[109natsu]

Even though I don't take exams on piano... You should still do some performance/competitions. I go to summer piano academies in universities. I go to festivals hosted by the local Music Teacher Association. Play for friends, family, school, and other community opportunities. Have benefit recitals to raise money for whatever you need in your career.

Do you really need to take exams to ascertain your competency ? If you do not intend to take exams, are you missing out a lot of stuff ? I realise when I sign up for exams under a teacher, I get all motivated to go the extra miles to get prepared. But when I am not preparing for any exam, I tend to slack and just learn for leisure.

I find that to be true too, sometimes. Set a goal for yourself. (Ex. I will get this part 100% accurate in however many hours) Discipline is needed everywhere in life; not just piano.

Exams are dumb

^
No one should be grading your piano playing.

   I'm dying to play right now... I. WILL. NOT. GIVE IN!

I am freaking traveling right now and I can't piano for five whole days!!!! I AM DYING. But I don't practice 12 hrs that's actually bad for you.