Working Towards Music Exam Grades

 Hi everyone,

Today I'm going to discuss ways in which you can practice working towards your music graded exams. The best way I've found how do it is too break each practice session up into smaller sections to focus on. 

For myself personally I have found that working in four 30 minute sections with 30 minutes off in between works for me. As by doing it this way I'm not overwhelming myself with too much information all at once.

I'm going to use the method that I will be using for my Trinity College Graded Exams next year, but a similar method does work with the ABRSM Graded Exams. It's just going to need adjusting slightly to suit whichever exam board you are choosing to work from. Also, this can be tailored to suit any musical instrument.

First 30 Minutes - Warm Up followed by Scales & Arpeggios

I first like to tune my flute, and warm it up using 'Harmonics on C' (This is just what I do - don't worry if your not sure what harmonics are, as it is an advanced technique).

Pick two to three scales and/ or arpeggios that you would like to focus on during your first practice session, and then work on the scales or arpeggios for around 10 minutes each. If you decide that you want to do both scales and arpeggios, again choose what you like to focus on for your first practice session, but just spend 5 minutes on each scale and arpeggio.

Break for 30 Minutes

Second 30 Minutes - Studies or Orchestral Excerpts (Trinity Graded Exams Only)

My second practice session is going to focus on either studies or orchestral extracts. Trinity requires three studies up to Grade 5, and you can do these instead of scales and arpeggios. I would focus on two of the studies and focus on them for 15 minutes; and the one that I didn't practice I would swap out in my next practice session that way they all get worked on and improved upon with each practice session.

Break for 30 Minutes

Third 30 Minutes - First Piece 

I would spend this section of my practice focusing on my first piece of music that I will play in the exam, but I will take this slowly, as my fingers will need to get used what they are doing. I will also need to work on my tone, dynamics and articulation; but this will happen over time with these practice sessions.

Break for 30 Minutes

Fourth 30 Minutes - Either the Second or Third Piece of Music

This is the part of my practice were swap around the pieces with each practice session. This way all of the pieces get worked on accordingly. I'm again going to start with slow practice, and work on getting my finger placements in the right order. I will then start to work on my tone, dynamics and articulation further down the line.

I know that working towards Music Grades can be overwhelming, hence why I have put together this little practice guide. This is a guide, and it isn't set into stone - everyone learns and develops differently, and thats okay. Working towards your grades should be not only manageable, but also enjoyable at the same time. Don't worry if you get frustrated - just take a step back and come back to it when you're ready. Your brain will help figure these little things out while you sleep; and then you will wonder what all fuss has been about - as whatever it was that you couldn't do in the beginning you can do now quite easily.