ABRSM Piano Performance Exams

[firsttimemum2010]

After reading various forums, I see that a great deal of people are bitterly disappointed if they don’t get a distinction in the piano performance exam.

I’ve recently sat Grade 3 and got a pass of 108. I do feel a bit disappointed as I felt I had prepared well (well as much as I can with 4 small children!) and thought 2 songs in particular had gone better than the mark indicates.

The comments referred to some pulse issues which I’ll ask my piano teacher about as I’m not entirely sure what that means!

I’m an adult learner, having never played an instrument before and have been playing for about 2 years now.

How on earth do people get distinctions?!!! And are people so concerned about this for uni applications etc? I obviously don’t need to worry about this as I’m in my 40s but am wondering whether I should give up as perhaps don’t have what it takes to be a half decent piano player! I’m only learning for my own pleasure btw and started when my children began having lessons as had always wanted to learn an instrument.

Sorry for the long post, just feeling a bit deflated!

A lot of the people who post on the music threads have children at junior conservatoires or county music centres etc so I wouldn't be judging anyone against what is read on MN. Inevitably those with DC who don't get distinctions are far less likely to mention it.

I've always told my children that music is a privilege and not any form of competition whether against others or against marking criteria. TBH as an adult learner the sole issue should be whether or not you enjoy your music and if so you should continue - perhaps not bothering with exams that can be more stress and hassle than they're worth for adults. Have a chat with your teacher and discuss what it is you like about playing the piano and what you want to get out of it and take it from there. You can improve just by learning steadily with increasingly difficult repertoire without taking exams at all.

Discuss with your teacher if s/he is satisfied with your progress and performance. If everything is fine just keep studying, you don't need certifications for every single grade! When you think you have progressed enough and you are let's say in grade 5, 6 level or whatever you can try again but keep studying the theory, scales, etc so you won't have to study them last minute. Then if you still have a pass you can resit if you really, really want a higher grade.

Grade 3 after 2 years is impressive, most kids take way longer to get there.

Plenty of people get a pass, look at the stats. Of course many aim for a distinction and then are disappointed not to get one, but that's their issue.

You are doing great!!

Don’t give up!
Exams are a random benchmark and test skills that are (somewhat) irrelevant to playing for pleasure.
My children learn 3 instruments each, but only do exams if/when they want to. I’ll be honest, I have a thing about grade 5 😆 so they have to do that one.
If you want to continue with exams, perhaps try Trinity -not easier, but different to ABRSM.
Have you thought about entering music festivals (post Covid)? Your playing is what’s important, not exams. I’ve always found festival judges and audiences really encouraging and supportive, especially of adult learners. (Although I think it must be terrifying!)
Perhaps get some piano duet/trio music and play with your children and even enter music festivals with them.

Keep going!

Thanks everyone. I am pleased I passed so need to focus on the enjoyment of playing rather than all the marks I lost. Onwards and (hopefully!) upwards!

I teach piano and agree, a grade 3 pass after 2 years is really good progress. As per getting distinctions, it rarely happens with my pupils because unless they aspire for one I and they find the continual fine tuning and perfecting of one ( or 3) pieces of music that is required gets monotonous and tedious. I prefer a broader repertoire and knowledge of music and to maintain the pleasure and joy they find in it, rather than flogging a piece to distinction level and sucking all the joy out of it. Unless, as I say, that is something they want. Hope that makes sense.

Look up mtb exams, they offer a really wide choice of repertoire and I'm thinking of using them. It's easier to perfect a piece if you really love it.

Would not bother with exams if it is for enjoyment. Both my girls learned piano, one did exams, mostly pass grades with occasional merit, the other didn't, they both play well, but my daughter who did not do exams enjoys it more.

I agree music exams can be a bit joy-sucking. Abrsm used to do something called a performance assessment which is not an exam but gives you an assessment of your playing.

Life's too short and music is too life-enhancing to sweat the small stuff IMHO. Just enjoy it!

Ds 11 gets distinctions, just did grade 3, and I’d say it’s his timing and variation that’s pretty good

But there’s not much in it. I can’t play to any grade now despite doing it as a child so you’re doing better than me! Keep going

Most people don’t get a distinction and from my understanding they become more and more difficult to achieve. When I look at the results at my kids school I can say that roughly under 10% get a distinction.
If you are feeling good about playing just continue. The results shouldn’t make a difference.

I think that the examiners look for true musicality and musicianship for distinction. They are reserved for kids or adults with true ear and feel for music, not just playing all the notes correctly.