Music exam misery

[PressedFlowers]

This is about me, not a DC, as today I sat my first ever music exam.

And it went awfully, despite playing pieces/scales through an hour before at home really well. But nerves got the better of me.

I have always wanted to play an instrument and feel so disappointed in myself that years of hard work don’t matter because I couldn’t perform.

logically I know exams ≠ being able to play. And if I had an upset DC I would not have this mindset.

anyone else had similar?

Definitely. I had a lovely one for my grade three. Couldn't do enough to help. I believe they were struck off the list within 6 months for failing too many. I got 100 (pass mark)

@Rouleur - best of luck!
@FridgeJenga - no news yet.. good luck to your DC, I hope they get the result they want!

I’m glad I started this thread! Of course I know I’m not the only person to ever perform badly but it’s nice hearing reassuring voices all the same :)

I’d love to play as part of a group for fun, but I play piano (“play”, loosely!) and it’s not really a group/social instrument in the same way as others are.. maybe I should see this as a sign to switch!

It’s such a shame so many people, young or old, feel this way about music exams. I really wanted it as a personal challenge - I’ sure I’ll get back to playing for fun soon enough - but when I consider the cost involved (lessons, exams), I have to be rational about it!

@PressedFlowers piano/keyboard absolutely is a group instrument if you can extend your repertoire to jazz or pop and learn to read charts and improvise a little. The keyboardist in our band is a conservatoire-educated classical pianist who did exactly this. It takes some re-learning because you don’t have any written music except maybe a chord chart or lead sheet to rely on, but it’s fantastic fun.

Perhaps I need to put more effort into looking! If only to get more experience playing around unfamiliar faces

Hi @PressedFlowers, just wondering how you got on? Sorry I’m being quite nosey! It’s just because I’m in basically the same position as you (adult piano learner) and I just sat my grade one exam last week. I’d taken music exams in another instrument as a teenager but this still felt scary!

Hello!

still no result… it’s been more than 28 days now.

I know it went terribly, but would like official confirmation of just how terribly!

all the best for your results. How do you think it went?

You should be able to log on to the ABRSM website to get your result. I think son's result came through after about a week

Hi @PressedFlowers, wishing you all the best for your results! I found out my results last week, a couple of days after the exam - it surprised me at how quick the turnaround was between the exam and the results. Best of luck for yours!