ABRSM Performance Exam (First Impressions) - Sharon Bill Music Matters Vlog 

I've only had this first go at the exam, but I'll do my best to help. I do encourage my students to 'project' their performance and to exaggerate this, but it is hard for a younger/beginner to grasp this. 1. For this recording all of my students used my piano which is a digital. It is a Kawaii CS11. Either digital or acoustic is fine, so long as only a basic piano setting is chosen, with no effects. 2. I used a Lumix Camera to record the exams. However, next time one of my students will record themselves via an iPad. We have trialled this and it worked well. I think any decent quality recording is fine. I think that many iPhones will also do a great job. 3. It must be a simultaneous audio and video recording - no mixing or editing is allowed. I did then compress the file (you can use software such as handbrake, or iMovie etc) - but it may not be necessary, depending on how your camera is set up. 4. A tripod was very helpful in finding the angle of the camera to show all of the keyboard - I didn't quite get the pedals as I should, but it was close. I'll improve this for next time. (No comment was made). I do have a 'soft light' but didn't find that I needed it - so long as the room is well lit they aren't looking for a film lighting. Page turns are always tricky! When I took my exams I had to memorise sections and turn when a hand was free. Now the ABRSM will allow you to photocopy a certain page to avoid a page turn - this is what we did. 5. For this first exam the highest level was Grade 5. However, next time I will have a Grade 6 and a Grade 7 student. However, the process is exactly the same. I should imagine this was so for ARSM too. I would guess that they would just be more exacting in their marking and expectations. I'm not sure that I would enter ARSM this way. I do think that maybe an actual audience (examiner) would be better in reality. I don't think that I will let this format of exam replace the usual face-to-face exam, but will just throw it in as an extra here and there. However, I guess it all boils down to whether exam venues open up and also on the student's choice. I do hope that this helps a little. If you also make an entry please let me know how you get on.

@@SharonBill thank you!

I'm so pleased that you have found my videos helpful. It sounds like you've been working hard! Thank you so much for your lovely, encouraging comment. Best wishes to you in your music!

I'm afraid that ABRSM haven't been at their best. I've been involved in ABRSM exams all my musical life (as student and teacher) and this does seem to have been a bit of a low point. No doubt they have had a lot of changes to negotiate. I do hope it picks up! My A level students took the remotely assessed grade 8 theory during the summer lockdown and it was very stressful! However, as venues weren't open at all this was the best way to make use of the time (they all passed thankfully). However, now that the change to online is permanent lets hope things smooth out. I don't particularly like the new theory exam, but I appreciate that the change has been made to bring it into alignment with the way music occurs in schools etc. I think it's an inevitable change. Lets hope that as the changes settle and lockdown eases (hopefully) service quality can improve. If you do enter any students, please do let me know how you get on.

I look forward to finding out!

That would be good!

Hi, For the Performance Exam you use the usual three pieces plus one extra. I have tended to stick to ABRSM grade pieces from previous years as the extra piece, then I am sure it is the correct standard. Is this what you mean with your question? I know that one of my adult pupils filmed their exam on an iPad, so I'm sure that would work. You might find this vlog helpful in choosing your repertoire for the exam... A Musical Menu (Choosing a Performance Programme) - Sharon Bill Music Matters Vlog ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FJlu3t01NFU.html

Hi! I'm afraid that I don't have any experience with AMEB. As I understand it ABRSM is usually the accepted 'best' in terms of recognition. Their exams are part of a national qualifications framework which give points for University entrance etc. They have exam centres all over the world. I've always chosen ABRSM for their quality content. However, they aren't the only exam provider (of course) and I think it depends what you are after. I often look at other boards for diplomas and more advanced syllabus, after Grade 8. However, I always choose ABRSM for the Grades 1- 8 as I think they have the universal reputation for quality content and recognition. Have a look at what exam centres they have in your area. (Although of course, the remotely assessed exams now remove that barrier!) Thank you for your kind, encouraging comment. 😊. Best wishes for your teaching!

Hi 👋🏻. I'm not sure of the official procedure, but I've found that the results come through really quickly - usually about a week. However, the certificates seem to take ages as a rule!

For the performance exam I use a Lumix, but you can use an iPad or phone - if the quality is reasonable. You also need a tripod to get a decent angle to see the pedals and keyboard properly. It's a bit of a bother to get it going, but it does work really well once you get used to it. I also hope we will get face-to-face exams back, as I wan't to mix and match the two. I think we have lost our local exam centre through other circumstances and I have a horrid suspicion that it won't be replaced. I wonder if we'll just have fewer exam centres further afield??? I guess time will tell. I don't think they'll disappear completely.

I understand that you can jump between the performance exam and the face-to-face exam however you'd like to, and you don't have to have every single grade in progression. Just the standard rule of needing to pass Grade 5 theory before you progress past grade 5 practical (either style exam) still stands.

I've only had advanced grades (6 - 8) assessed this way with my pupils, so far. However, in these I thought it was pretty fair. I've got some Grade 5 pupils ready to take this and I found that the tended to score far higher with this style exam. I'm thinking it will work out like that in the exam for them too, but time will tell.

That's a good point. We did try to address that by looking at the camera as they were being introduced. However, my students couldn't quite gather themselves to look between pieces or at the end of the exam - they just felt too awkward. I wonder if this is also a factor? It is very strange and it seems a little 'conjured'?? Nevertheless, I do think it's a valid consideration. Good idea! Let me know how you get on!

I haven't had my certificates yet. However, as I understand it, the certificates will be the same as usual and won't specify whether performance or the standard practical exam. I imagine it will just say Grade x Piano Practical. I can't be completely sure until I get the certificates myself. Still waiting for them... 😶

No. You are not required to memorise any song, nor would you gain any bonus marks for doing so.

It's certainly a tricky time for teachers entering students for exams!

That's a good point. However, the ABRSM require that the camera angle shows your fingers and pedal, to scrutinise your playing for exam purposes.

Thanks for the reply!