First piano exam: what will it involve?

[helyg]

DS1 is 7 and has been playing the piano for about 6 months. His teacher says that he is progressing well and that she would like to enter him for an exam in September.

I am pretty confident that it wouldn't be a Grade exam as I don't think he is that good yet so does anyone have experience of what it might be, and what it will involve?

Perhaps for the preparatory exam? You can check the ABRSM website to find out more, presuming this would be the board exam the teacher is considering. Why not just ask the teacher?

I don't actually see his teacher as DH takes him to his lessons (and is useless at asking questions).

Will take a look on the website, thanks.

Probably Prep Test. I think only ABRSM offer this, Trinity do an Initial exam but it is a proper marked one wheras the prep test is an ungraded assessment.

He'll have to play 1 piece from the Prep Test book and a free choice piece some excercises and then do some simple listening games like clapping

There is no pass or fail.

Thanks island.

Do they get a certificate or anything for doing it? (He is at an age where certificates are very important...)

Yes they get a certificate for taking part with constructive, encouraging comments from the examiner (or at least thats what they say).

I am preparing dd for her singing one at the moment (but can't find the book)

Not actually entered anyone for ABRSM prep test yet, though dh has entered students for the higher grades.

Dd does LAMDA (speech & drama) and their Introductory exams the comments are always lovely and confidence building. It is virtually impossible to fail those but you do get Pass/Merit Distinction categories.

Dd has done her first Entry Level one which was quite a jump up from the Intro and got a Distinction.

I think they work on saying what is good, then what to work on to be even better.