For any of you who`ve had to go through these particularly Gr.7 and up, you know how stressful they are! I`m taking my Gr. 8 exam in two days and I`m a nervous wreck! There are just so many things to think about. I know that I won`t do horrible, I`m aiming for at least 90 or above. I have this concerto I`m working on, the Rode in A minor, which is a Gr. 9 piece. Rhythmicially it kills, so I do a lot of tempo jumping. The problem is with my accompanist, it`s been hard matching up and she sort of pushes me to rush through sections I need to slow down for. For one thing, the memory is really difficult, and another, I`ve got a lot on my mind. I tend to get really nervous and play horribly. I don`t know what to do, I`ve started dreaming about messing up! I`m so nervous. My hands tend to shake making it impossilbe to stay in tune. The thing I have about the concerto is that I`m scared of it, terrified actually. I don`t know what to do! I really don`t want to let anyone down, my parents pay 60 american an hour for my lessons. It`s so much stress, I can`t handle it!

I`m not taking exams, but my daughter did her RCM Grade 4 piano in June...we were aiming for a grade in the 80s...but she was nervous and ended up with a 74...which is still fine...she passed...and now on to the next level...

...I`m not remotely mad...and I pay for the lessons too!...

...even if you fail this exam...don`t forget that that doesn`t negate how well you play in general. And if you fail, you have two options...you can take the exam again...or you can skip it and go on to learn the next Grade`s material...you don`t HAVE to test every year...

Take a deep breath...keep it all in perspective...and for the time being...book some extra practice with your pianist...and insist she slow down where you need to slow down...

I did AMEB exams up to Grade 8 on clarinet.

Take a couple days off from practicing to relax and clear your head. Get worked up over your playing will only make you play worse.
And tell your accompanist that it`s her job to stay in time with you.

Just remember that it isn`t the end of the world if you don`t pass (though I`m sure you will!)

Do your best, because in the end that`s really all that you can do, and as the old saying goes, "If at first you don`t succeed.......try another instrument "

Good luck!

Please tell us, how did the exam go? I can totaly sympathise with your nerves. Just keep in mind that over 90 is an extremely high goal. Anything over 80 is already very well done. I`m sure that if you tried your best you`ll do fine

why didnt u just tell ur pianist where u want to slow down and whenenver she pushes u just stop playing and remind her again thats its u she is accompanying not u accompanying her.