Yesterday C & W sat their AMEB Piano Exams at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. It was pretty nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time! Both had taken a long time to prepare with lots of hours of practice. I'm excited to announce that they passed with Honours & a Credit! Commendable results for both!
As a teacher, it takes a lot hard work & attention to detail to prepare a student for an exam. There's also an aspect of psychology involved. Coaching, motivation & mental preparation are as important in the weeks leading up to an exam as polishing scales or brushing up General Knowledge.
During the week or two before the scheduled exam, it's not unusual for a student to 'lose the plot' & question their own competence. At that point the piano teacher is also nervously assessing whether the student is experiencing pre-exam nerves or really is ready to attend the exam. Illness in the week of a exam, or the week following is also not unusual.
On the day of the exam, if attending the venue with the student, the piano teacher is attempting to 'steady the ship'. At this point, it's too late to worry about anything more, especially if the student is a child. It's time for positive coaching & instilling self-confidence. After the exam is time for positive feedback (regardless of the result) & a short de-briefing before hopefully parents can take the child for a celebratory lunch or ice cream. In the de-briefing I merely assist the student to understand what their report says, then help them to now look forward with excitement to new music (always a joy).
At the following piano lesson, the student is always more ready to talk about their experience. This is when I often model some technical point that the examiner has remarked upon. Then we just simply enjoy the experience of new music - a joy for us both!
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