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Congratulations to my two young piano students who were awarded with a merit for their exams. Grade 1 and Grade 3 respectively. A fab way to end the academic year on a successful high!
It was both their first time sitting an exam in Bangor (or at all) so it was nerve-wracking for one, and the other thought she was confident, but once in the room, she was convinced she’d messed it up!
I’ve been through it all of course myself, having done my grade 8 at the age of 17 back in 2003! The memories fade but are never forgotten. Having recently been in touch with my old piano tutor (who subsequently read my book), she told me I hid my nerves well. On reflection I used to mask a lot just to get through things. I always needed constant reassurance and validation. That final grade 8 exam, I still have the card from my boyfriend at the time. He wished me well and reminded me it was a good and lucky day because it was our 11 month anniversary. “I know you can do it!”
As an adult I discovered Bach’s Remedy which took the edge off for job interviews, but as a teen/child, I just had to deal with whatever it was and pretend I was fine, often while shaking like a leaf during the exam itself.
As I’m now the tutor, I was inspired by my own tutor in methods of teaching, and pride myself on my adaptability and flexibility. My ability to understand and relate, and even empathise where needed.
Most if not all of the students I’ve “inherited” from other tutors, seem to have completely missed the sight reading aspect. Because it’s my specialism, I teach it from as early as possible, I let the students work out the notes themselves and help them if they get stuck. I coach on sight reading, but I also remind my students, that although we aim for perfect in the lessons, you don’t need to be perfect to do well!
Perfectionism was the thing that held me back in the first place. The reason I was afraid to play in public if anyone was listening.
These two listened and implemented. In fact they both got the same mark for that section. That decent mark in sight reading could make the difference between just a pass and a merit. And to be fair, you have to be perfect to get that distinction, so a merit is just perfect in itself, right?!
Congratulations again to O and E, I’m proud of both of you, and can’t wait to see what you do next <3
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