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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Clueless mum - music exams/prep test?

37 replies

mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 09:51

I also posted in the music section but was directed here. I can seem to find a music mums thread so please point me to that one, I'm being dim 🤦‍♀️

My children are just starting out with instruments and are really enjoying them at the moment. DH and I had limited musical careers in primary school so clueless about these apparently musical children we've created...

I have a question about the instrument exams. Really just what's the craic? Should they be doing them or not? I've heard different things like they can be detrimental to the love of the instrument.

The situation in summary:

DC10 (yr5) flautist, has made slow and painful progress over the last couple of years, she's essentially just lazy but loves the instrument. Her teacher has now said she should aim for grade 1 and this has spurred on lots of practising and progression and she's very happy with this (I am happy with this too!). So that's her set really. It's a trinity exam and she's started working on the first piece this week, seems to be going okay and she likes it (I'm just so bloody glad we're out of jingle bells/London's burning territory).

Assuming the exam goes well in the summer then should I suggest she does gd2 at the end of yr6? Is that a realistic timeframe? How does it work transitioning to high school music wise?

Also how best can I help her: at the moment it's 15mins practise daily plus some breathing exercises, plus scales. Sound reasonable?

DC7 has done a term of piano and ABSOLUTE BLOODY LOVES it. Her piano teacher says she's very impressed (we've had some lovely notes and emails from her) and has said she can prepare her for grade 1 as quickly as possible. She's also suggested preparing her for the prep test? Any experiences of that?

Because DC10 is aiming for the exam DC7 is just assuming she'll also be doing them - but she's so little that I'm worried. She's also a very anxious child, although this doesn't seem to apply to piano where she seems to becomes a different child entirely.

DC7 will happily do 30 mins practise a day and is bored by the set homework so I've bought her some other fun music to work on in between and keep her busy. It seems to be going well.

So what should I do/ask/guide the children towards?

MTIA for all the music wisdom here 🙏🙏

OP posts:
FluffyYucca · 20/01/2023 10:57

If it’s the exam itself you’re worried about, I know ABRSM now does performance-only grades where you send in a recording and it’s assessed rather than going to an exam centre - I’m actually thinking about doing one of them myself as I never coped well with the standard exam format.

More details here: gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 10:55

Thank you @Bramshott that's what I was hoping to hear :)

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 10:53

ancientgran · 20/01/2023 10:50

Children vary, one of my kids loved exams and shows one didn't.

I guess I just have to see how they get on?

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 10:53

I probably am overthinking it, I'm just trying to work out what's going on really. It's easy to tell someone they are overthinking when you come from a position of knowing.

Like the difference between practice and performance exams?

The piano teacher is very communicative, however the flute teacher (DC thinks she's great and has always enjoyed lessons) isn't so much, so I feel in the dark and don't know how to help or what to ask for etc.

Im looking to work out how I should guide the children, especially the one with clinical anxiety - holding her back from exams she wants to do will damage her confidence so it's not that easy just to say no exams for her in case it's stressful. The prep test looks perfect for her though, I'm keen to hear from others who've dc have done it.

I've asked some friends IRL and it's a 50:50 split of "exams killed my enjoyment and I never play now" vs "I needed exams to progress and I enjoyed them" - no help at all 🤣

OP posts:
ancientgran · 20/01/2023 10:50

Children vary, one of my kids loved exams and shows one didn't.

fruitbrewhaha · 20/01/2023 10:42

I think you are over thinking it. If the kids are keen go for it. The teachers will guide you. They will say when they are ready for gd2 and if the dc want to they can, if they don’t, they dont have to.

Unless you have and end goal of music scholars or classically trained musicians etc just let the kids enjoy what they are doing. It’s best you set aside a time for practice and you can push a bit to keep them motivated and of course if they refuse to practice you can tell them you aren’t paying out every week for a teacher if they aren’t keeping up. But otherwise let them enjoy it.

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 10:36

I think the prep test looks great. A bit anxious about gd1 for the little one, but she'll really want the certificate!

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 10:35

Comefromaway · 20/01/2023 10:14

www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4716260-spring-23-music-thread

The long running music thread. We are all very friendly there.

Exams can be great and can really motivate some children but they are not essential. My ds has not done any.

Prep Test is good for beginners/younger children as it gets them used to the exam situation without the pressure of a Pass/Fail. You get a report with constructive comments.

Thank you :)

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 20/01/2023 10:14

www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4716260-spring-23-music-thread

The long running music thread. We are all very friendly there.

Exams can be great and can really motivate some children but they are not essential. My ds has not done any.

Prep Test is good for beginners/younger children as it gets them used to the exam situation without the pressure of a Pass/Fail. You get a report with constructive comments.

Bramshott · 20/01/2023 10:10

The Prep test is a lovely exam - very supportive and not pass/fail

Moominmammacat · 20/01/2023 10:00

Follow the teachers' advice! Some children are motivated by exams, others are terrified. I do think they have a sense of achievement when they get good results but if it's causing any stress, it's really not worth it. Music for 99%+ is for enjoyment.

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 20/01/2023 09:51

Sorry silly long post, thanks for reading

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