I'm not sure if it's in the right section or whether there's another thread about this, but I just sat my grade 5 bassoon exam an hour ago! I just need to relax, so I thought maybe writing about it might help...

My recount of the day (highlight if you want to read):


I just got curious now. I want to know if you guys take graded music exams? Any experiences you want to share? What instrumental exams did you take? Feel free to answer (or poke around with curiosity), if you wish.

To answer my own question. I've taken grade 3 and 5 piano and just now, grade 5 bassoon! I'm sitting my grade 7 piano on the 20th of October. I do ABRSM, by the way.

I think you should have a voting option that says, "no, what's a music exam for"
I've been in school music and stuff, but I have never heard of exams for it...you know?

RCM Exams for piano, finished ARCT Performers

I remember for my Grade 10 exam...I had an allergic reaction at the very start, it was terrible

no, i don't.

i don't really see the point honestly. skills speak to me more than paper.

uhh...I used to take piano/violin exams but, I don't know whats trinty,RCM,etc are...
when i used to take them I didn't really know the names and stuff...hahaha...=_=;

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I hear you say "Why?" Always "Why?" You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"

I will be taking ABRSM grade 8 for piano in November.
I'm a terrible piano player but managed to just pass each exam so far. JUST BARELY! I passed Grade 7 last year by 9 points.

It was a terrible exam, I can't really play staccato that well so for the scales and arpeggios portion, the examiner was like "that's not really staccato, is it? >: o"
As for the pieces, I got the highest score on the piece that I had more trouble with (surprise!)

And I found it extremely fitting that I got 18/21 on sight reading because that's what I do most of the time at my piano lessons.. *doesn't practice*

Aural always has sucked Especially the parts where the examiner plays a few measures twice and you have to sing it back >.<

But the examiners are pretty nice. Old British people with accents.

Then, the option with "No, I don't need music exams to tell how good I am" will fit you. =) Since you're in school music, you must be good!



In a way, I wish I was like you! Being clueless... it's great because you won't know that you're playing in front of extremely qualified and pro people!



Agreed. But in a way, these exams are like stepping stones....or goals you might say....with additional stress and pressure!



Wow, never heard of these exams...am I too ignorant? Wow again. Grade 10. The highest is grade 8 in ABRSM and after that is diplomas! Three of them.



I'm on the same boat as ya! High five! I've always scraped a pass in my exams...guiltily admitting that. Friends around me think I'm brilliant....but wait till you see the other side of me!



Wow! If that was me, I'd scream of joy and saying it was a big fluke. I've always failed my sight-reading. I feel so untalented....People in my music class are hardcore musicians. I feel so...inexperienced/noob compared to them. I shirk away when the teacher says to all the pianists in class, "Who would like to sight-read this section for the class to understand this music we're studying?" Even my piano teacher hesitates before she says it's sight-reading practise in my piano lesson. My sight reading will make ears bleed.

haha no way, i go to a school where anyone can be in music stuff, no matter how bad they are. I've just never heard of these exams (or any kind...)

My school is like that as well, we have groups for any kind of music level as well as the hardcore ones. For example, we have choirs from an all-comers choir, to a choir that won top Secondary Schools Choir NZ twice in a row. My school is quite into music, so the pressure is on!

If I may double post, I just got my results back this afternoon. The results were contrary to how I thought my bassoon exam was. I passed 5 marks off from a distinction! I was close to it. Amazing really. My teacher was right, "The player generally thinks the exam went worse than it was." She said the examiner said I had potential.

Everything was contrary to what I thought. Scary.

I took AMEB music exams for saxaphone. Passed 4th grade, royally fucked up the 6th grade exam. Somehow music exams are far more nervewracking than any other type of exam.

But oh well. This was quite a while ago now, and I don't play it any more.

That's a pity you don't continue anymore. I like the saxophone. I do agree music exams are far more nerve-wracking that any other type of exams. Probably because it's practical and has more chances of going totally wrong?

Been a while I've checked back here! Latest update: I have my piano exam tomorrow!! I really should be in front of my piano, rather than lurking around manga...

GOOD LUCK!
I have mine November 11th...
Coincidentally, I also have this major History project to present on that day as well.

Good luck. :]

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