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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Piano exams & motivation

10 replies

LonelyFlans · 08/07/2023 13:54

My 12yo is doing grade 2 piano this month & seems to have stalled in terms of progress over the last month.

He's still practicing, but has to be persuaded & doesn't seem to be getting anywhere (teacher agrees).

He's at the age where anything I suggest in terms of practicing technique falls on deaf ears.

Seriously thinking about pulling out of the exam as I'm not sure he'd pass at this point, but don't want to demoralise him in case he can pull it out of the bag.

What do I do??

OP posts:
MrsThanks · 08/07/2023 13:58

I think it's normal, let him practice what he can, it's so boring doing the same pieces over and over. Let him do it and he fails he'll learn a useful lesson.

I'd just let him get on with it. When is the exam?

Original poster
LonelyFlans · 08/07/2023 14:20

MrsThanks · 08/07/2023 13:58

I think it's normal, let him practice what he can, it's so boring doing the same pieces over and over. Let him do it and he fails he'll learn a useful lesson.

I'd just let him get on with it. When is the exam?

Thanks - it's just over a week away. I think you're right, it's just hard to find the right words/actions to support him.

OP posts:
horseymum · 09/07/2023 08:46

Make sure he knows what is expected eg watch the mock exams on the Abrsm website ( if it is an Abrsm one). Make sure he knows what the other tests involve, you can practice the aural parts on the Abrsm aural app. Be encouraging. 12 is old enough to have the motivation themselves but also young enough they may be panicking a bit but putting a brave face on and trying to be cool but actually needs a bit of help. Pieces often go belly up just before an exam. Suggest slow careful practice of tricky parts as well as complete play throughs without stopping. You can only calmly suggest and see if he takes your advice. It is meant to be fun after all but a bit of practice at performing under pressure is not a bad thing as it's a good life skill. See if you can rope in a friend or neighbour to listen to a run through to be like the examiner. Hope it goes well. My eldest stopped doing exams and just continued to play for fun as it was too stressful for him although he wishes he'd at least done a grade 5 exam ( he plays much higher than that). So it may be he looks at other ways to progress such as festivals, competitions, it doesn't have to involve exams.

bumblebee2235 · 09/07/2023 09:07

I was bribed with a beanie baby 😂 I think every child goes through a point they want to give up. Once I had progressed to a certain level I loved it as I could play more what I liked. So although bribing sounds bad haha I am now a pianist and did a music diploma.

bumblebee2235 · 09/07/2023 09:09

bumblebee2235 · 09/07/2023 09:07

I was bribed with a beanie baby 😂 I think every child goes through a point they want to give up. Once I had progressed to a certain level I loved it as I could play more what I liked. So although bribing sounds bad haha I am now a pianist and did a music diploma.

Also my music teacher let me pick a favourite piece to learn. I listened to a variety of music, found one I loved. She said if I practiced and did xyz I could then choose any piece I wanted.

ZenNudist · 09/07/2023 09:23

Just let him do the exam. His teacher wouldn't have submitted him if she didn't think he could pass.

Its good experience.

If he doesn't get it he can move on to playing something "fun" like hedwigs theme or James Bond. Maybe pick up grade 3 after playing other things.

Tell him it's pretty normal to skip early grades and it is more about the exam experience than the mark. Tell him it will be nice to have grade 2 and he will get a treat if he does well.

He may be a crammer and polish up a lot at the last minute.

Good luck!

Canyoucheckonme · 26/08/2023 10:19

Hello @LonelyFlans I was just wondering how your ds did in the end please? As I'm in a very similar situation!

Original poster
LonelyFlans · 26/08/2023 10:24

Canyoucheckonme · 26/08/2023 10:19

Hello @LonelyFlans I was just wondering how your ds did in the end please? As I'm in a very similar situation!

We spoke to both DS and his teacher and agreed to defer his exam until November/December. I think it was better for him to do this - since this he's been playing the pieces and enjoying it (& improving!) without the pressure. Hopefully he'll be much better prepared in a few months time.

OP posts:
Canyoucheckonme · 26/08/2023 10:31

Sounds like taking the pressure off really helped then 😊

Our ds's pieces have been ready for about three months but his sight reading is letting him down, and over the summer he's barely touched the piano (in favour of Fortnite!). His teacher was going to put him in for June, but deferred to the autumn. Now I'm worried it'll be Christmas... Previously having a date has really motivated him so think we're just going to bite the bullet and get on with a Sept date...

ilovesushi · 31/08/2023 10:51

In a similar situation. DD has to do music exams because she is a music scholar, but she hates them and so do I! I think we may ask if she can continue to contribute to the school's music in other ways - concerts, festivals, orchestra etc and not do the exams. This summer it has been a nightmare trying to get to practice because it is just the dreary exam stuff. It acts as a block to her playing anything else for fun because of the guilt of feeling like she should be doing exam work instead. Ironically she has spent a lot of the time at the piano, an instrument she doesn't learn formally and has no exams in!

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