MUSIC EXAM TALK #2: Is my child ready for a test?

In UK and Canada, most students take music exam as standard. When a little kid says “I play piano,” the immediate response from other children will be “What grade are you?”

In the USA, taking music exams is much less common despite of ample opportunity. There are auditions, exams, festivals in district level, state level, national level, and now couple music examination systems are becoming globally recognized. Does it mean the American children’s learning style is different from other countries? No, the learning style is similar, but the expectation and discipline is dramatically different.

I believed in the benefits of enrolling students in formal assessment, but I don’t believe every student must take music exam, simply because each family sees different value in it. However, there are overly excited music parents rushed their child into exam prematurely which led to unwanted pressure and frustration. In my opinion, there are two types of unreadiness. The first type, and the most common situation, is the parents insist their child must take the exam but the child doesn’t want to. The second type is that a child is not yet mentally prepared for such task.

Here, I would like to explain what I mean by “not yet mentally prepared,” and what we can do to help children’s music study.

Aaron has played for a year. He follows teacher’s instruction well, makes steady progress each week, and practices whatever is assigned. Once a while he and his mom will get into an argument about the practice, but he forgets about the fight quickly and is happy to play again on the next day. He sees recital as a fun activity.

Yes, Aaron is ready.

Brittney loves piano. She takes opportunities to play her pieces in front of people, and she looks forward to the recitals. She responds well to challenges. However, she doesn’t care to practice scales, technique, sight reading, or do theory homework. She doesn’t see the value of spending time on things that nobody is going to hear in a recital.

Yes, Brittney is ready. Exams could be an excellent motivator for her to catch up scales and sight reading skill, and to further polish her technique. Take every opportunity to point out the scales and arpeggios passages in her piece is a good way to help Brittney realizes the value of practicing technique exercise.

Catherine loves piano too. She practices diligently and enjoys the feeling of completing a piece. Catherine likes recital also, but it is tough for her. She gets very nervous performing in front of people. She will lose control of her fingers, and forget the notes too. She is happy when it is over.

Catherine is almost ready. She first needs to improve the skill of control her anxiety so she can perform her best under pressure. Encourage her to play in front of people when there is a chance, so she can play well in the real exam.

David has studied clarinet for one and a half years. He plays pretty well, but he tends to practice the assignments “selectively.” In some occasions, he only practiced the recital pieces, or even crammed for the performance. He only practices every assignment when the teacher gets really angry.

David is not ready because he has no sense of following instruction or meeting deadline. His parents will need to establish a firm practice rule and supervise regularly. David needs to know it is his responsibility to do his homework and do it well. Also, it is important that David understands practicing every piece and making small steady progress each day is the best strategy.

Which case resembles your child? Even if some children require more care than others, we just have to continuously and repeatedly teach the children important life skills, help them not only to perform the instrument well but also to have a positive attitude and strategy when face a challenge.

I hope the above examples help you to determine if your child is ready for a test and what to improve in the next stage.

#Parenting #ClarinetLessons #PianoLessons #MusicTheory #MusicEducation