| If you have a practical exam or competition coming up, | | | | The Night Before |
| here's some advice to make the experience less | | | | * Eat something healthy. |
| stressful and more positive. You've probably had | | | | * Revise your general knowledge out loud, referring to |
| months (or years) of piano lessons to get to the stage | | | | your pieces (if you are doing an exam). Family |
| where you can perform in front of others. | | | | members can act as an examiner for this, even |
| The Few Weeks Before | | | | weeks before the exam. |
| * When you are ready (an indicator is if you are | | | | *Try to enjoy your night - don't stress about the exam |
| already playing through the pieces all the way during | | | | or do too much other work. |
| the lesson), practise performing your pieces before | | | | *Get enough sleep - during the week don't go to bed |
| every practice session. Imagine an audience near your | | | | too late either. |
| piano, take a bow, prepare for a few seconds at the | | | | On the Day |
| piano seat and begin playing. Treat it like a real | | | | * Eat light and healthy food. |
| performance, so do not correct errors or pause too | | | | * If you want, and have time, you can do moderate |
| long anywhere. | | | | exercise to stay calm - be sure to rest for at least a |
| * When you have performed by yourself with | | | | couple of hours before the exam/ eisteddfod. |
| confidence, practice performing in front of an audience, | | | | * Think about how you want to play the pieces and |
| whether friends or family. Organise a little concert for | | | | how brilliantly you will do. Now is not the time to regret |
| your friends or family, and provide paper for them to | | | | minimal practice or be worried about potential mistakes. |
| write comments. | | | | During the Exam/ Eisteddfod |
| * Read your music away from the piano and imagine | | | | * Keep thinking positively and stay calm - deep |
| the way you want to play it (this is also important to | | | | breathing for a minute or two every few minutes might |
| do even if you haven't been learning the piece that | | | | help (breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, breathe |
| long). Also check for any markings you may have | | | | out for 4 counts). |
| missed when you were first learning the piece and | | | | * Relax your arms and body as you play. If you've |
| include them into your practice. | | | | been practising correctly, this should be automatic, but |
| * Remember to still do the type of careful practice | | | | check that you do not tense up because it will affect |
| that you did when you were first learning the piece, | | | | your sound and technique. |
| such as hands separate practice, slow practice, | | | | * If you happen to make a mistake (even an |
| rhythms practice and practice in small sections - all at | | | | unexpected one), forget about it instantly, and keep |
| different speeds with the metronome. | | | | playing your best. Try to maintain the flow of the |
| The Day Before | | | | music. Mistakes are only a big deal if you make it so. |
| * Do some moderate exercise to help you stay calm | | | | * Most importantly - ENJOY playing the music that |
| and in perspective). | | | | you've worked so hard to be able to play. |
| * Do a moderate amount of practice on everything | | | | After the Exam/ Eisteddfod |
| you will be examined on or perform. Keep your playing | | | | * No matter what your results (whether excellent, |
| mostly slow, strong (if applicable) and accurate in detail. | | | | okay or worse), think about what you did well and if |
| * Check that all pencil markings are rubbed off the | | | | there were any points of improvement that could be |
| music if you are going to do an exam. | | | | made. Don't beat yourself up about errors or lapses in |
| * If you are a parent of a student who is going to sit | | | | memory, but work on improving those areas for the |
| for an exam or enter a competition, be as positive and | | | | next time. |
| supportive as possible. Do not overly criticise or make | | | | * If you followed all the above advice diligently, you |
| your child afraid in any way. | | | | must have done well, so CELEBRATE your results! |