So your teacher finally made the evaluation that your child is ready for exam. What does having an exam really mean and how do you prepare your child for it?
First of all, music exams are not something to be dreaded about. In fact, it is one of the highlights that your child can go through in their music journey. Taking the exam means they have showed proficiency and acquired particular skills that allows them to go into the next level of their musical studies. This is an important mindset to have as you help them prepare for their first examination.
Ways you can help your child be successful in their first piano exam
Do a run-through practice daily
A run-through helps your child to see the big picture. This allows them to see that playing through the whole book only takes about 20 minutes or less, and that it is not as difficult as they or you (the parent) might think.
But how do you do a run-through practice?
Do Lots of Listening Everyday
Yes, the teacher may have emphasized listening every lessons, but listening to the recordings as you prepare for exam is even more crucial. This creates certain pathways in the brain that will help solidify their knowledge of the pieces. It allows them to review their pieces in their subconscious, which in turn strengthens their memory.
DO a detailed practice, but…
At this point, your child have gone through all the details of what needs to be done with their pieces. But chances are, they forget some articulation or notes and needs constant reminder. Let not this practice be a blame game of sorts (“Why can’t you remember that part?” or “How many times have I told you to…”) but an opportunity to do repetition. If they keep making mistakes in the same spot, repeat that spot over and over, played correctly until they are confident with it. Do the detailed practice at a separate time of the run-through.
CREATE A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE
Consistent encouragement and praise is also important. However, let the praise be specific, not empty. Instead of saying, “You’re so great!” say, “You were able to keep your focus the whole time!” or “You remembered to switch your finger at that difficult spot!”
My teacher always said that to prepare for an exam or performance needs to be at 150% effort. That way, when certain things happen during the performance, the student always come out of it still playing at 100%.
When the child is properly prepared, their success is guaranteed, and they will in turn look at exams or performances as an enjoyable, satisfying, and gratifying part of their musical journey.