Performance Guidelines
The following guidelines apply to all levels and exam types
For specific guidelines on how to record and submit a video exam, click here.
Sample Piano Exam
Wondering what an exam actually looks like? Here’s a sample exam for you to watch! It’s a piano exam, but the concepts apply to any instrument.
Special thanks to Connor for giving us permission to share this with you.
This is a great example of presentation, format and announcements which apply to all exams - both video and in person.
Notice how Connor is referring to a point form run sheet and confidently announces each element before he begins to play.
Because this is a ‘real exam’ and not staged in any way, it’s not totally perfect! The announcement of which ‘Essential Skill’ is missing, and you’ll hear Connor’s Mum prompt the fact that he missed about the key signature in the General Knowledge section. This is all fine - it’s real life - and he did really well!
His set up is ideal for a video exam, with a pleasant background, a good camera angle including feet and appropriate exam attire (with shoes!)
If this were an in person exam, it would look very much the same. Students still choose their own order for the exam, announcing each element as they go. They may either bring a point form run sheet or be prompted by the examiner.
General Guidelines
Who are exams open to?
Exams are open to students of all age groups, including adults.
Are in person and video exams the same?
Exam content is identical regardless of whether it is presented ‘in person’ or via ‘video submission’.
Do I need to memorise my exam performance?
Performance from memory is encouraged for repertoire. Memory work is not specifically rewarded but is noted and contributes toward overall impression.
Do I have to play in a particular order?
Students may perform the entire exam in the order of their choice. For example, a student may present pieces followed by technical work then General Knowledge and so on, or they may prefer to begin with their General Knowledge and then begin to play. Any order is fine as long as announcements are clear eg ‘I am going to begin with General Knowledge’ and ‘My first piece is ‘New Shoes’’ etc.
Can I use prompts to help remember the sections?
For exams in any format, students may use a ‘run sheet’ in bullet point form, to assist with fluency between elements. For In Person exams, the examiner will prompt students and help to enable smooth transitions.
Essential Skills Guidelines
Although students only present one ‘Essential Skill’ of their choice in the exam, it is our hope that they will develop a solid understanding and working knowledge of all of the skills in this section. We believe these are an essential part of a well rounded music education and cover a range of elements that all musicians should be able to do! They’re fun to teach, fun to learn and really useful in real life.
The actual example to be presented in the exam is emailed to students and teachers 10 days prior to their exam.
What are the Essential Skills
QUICK STUDY - this is our version of ‘sight reading’. This mirrors ‘real life’ sight reading where musicians are usually given a few minutes to prepare something new before it needs to be performed.
TRANSPOSITION - this is a vital skill which is often overlooked! Basic transposition into other keys is a important real life skill on any instrument and it’s helpful to start early.
IMPROVISATION - whether its creating a piano accompaniment from a chord sequence, or fiddling until you find a melody that you like, everyone wants to be able to improvise!
COMPOSITION - as the levels advance, students may present an entire original piece as their essential skill. We LOVE hearing the creative work of emerging musicians.
Where can I find the Essential Skills PDF?
Guidelines and examples for each of the Essential Skills are included on the detailed PDF syllabus for each level. Students should work through these with their teachers in regular lessons as part of their curriculum.
10 days before the exam students will receive an email with the actual Essential Skills example for their exam. (All skills will be on the email).
Which Essential Skill do I choose?
Your favourite! Students choose one Essential Skill to present in the exam.
How do I prepare for the Essential Skills?
It is expected that this section be ‘prepared’ by playing the piece through a few times, but not practiced in the same way as other elements of the exam. The aim is for students to have a working knowledge of the skills and be able to apply that understanding to the given example.
Do I need to memorise Essential Skills?
Students may use the sheet music for the Essential Skills section - there is no expectation to memorise any essential skill.
How do I announce my Essential Skills section in the exam?
Students should be ready to announce their chosen Essential Skill as part of their exam, eg: “My Essential Skill today is Transposition” and then proceed to play.