piano exams
blog posts

Preparing For Performance Success

by Tim Topham

Preparing students for a performance or an exam is a lengthy process. From setting goals and establishing a purpose to preparing students for the unexpected, there’s much to consider.

5 Ways To Help Your Students Feel Performance Ready

by Georgina Wilson

Performances can be scary. Can you remember how you felt as a music student walking onto a stage for the first time? Do you remember your hands shaking as you played your first note? As teachers we can help our students feel less nervous about performing, and boost their confidence, whether they're playing in a recital, a competition, or an exam.

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by Sarah Buckley

‘Stage Fright’ – Are Exam-Based Teaching Methods to Blame?

by Tim Fletcher

Why is a recital so nerve-wracking?

A Creative Take on the New ABRSM Piano Syllabus

by Rebecca Singerman-Knight

Let's take a creative look at the new ABRSM piano syllabus.

AMEB PIANO FOR LEISURE SERIES 4

by Tim Topham

About PFL Series 4 Piano for Leisure Series 4, which is only available in Australia, is designed to inspire and motivate students and teachers through well-chosen, sequenced repertoire and creative teaching recommendations and ideas. Here’s what you’ll get in these books: A series of 9 graded examination repertoire books 12 inspiring pieces in each book ... AMEB PIANO FOR LEISURE SERIES 4

The Ultimate Guide to Piano Exam Syllabuses: Which One Is Best for Your Students?

by Sean Wales

Piano Exam Syllabuses There is an abundance of piano exam syllabuses out there. It can be confusing and overwhelming when choosing which exam your students should sit. The language is hard to understand and it’s difficult to get your head around all of the various requirements, especially when you have multiple students sitting different exams. ... The Ultimate Guide to Piano Exam Syllabuses: Which One Is Best for Your Students?

Behind the Piano Examiner’s Desk: What Is It Really Like?

by Dr Mark McGee

Welcome to our second guest post this month by an AMEB piano examiner. The first article explained everything you need to know about a Rockschool piano exam- click here to read that post.  Today, we are very privileged to have Dr Mark McGee presenting his thoughts on being a piano examiner.  Mark is Assistant Director ... Behind the Piano Examiner’s Desk: What Is It Really Like?

How I Got off the Piano Exam Express

by Sean Wales

This month has been all about Exploring Exams and Recitals and one phrase has popped up a few times: exam express. I’m Sean and you may have seen a few articles written by me recently featured on Tim’s blog. I learnt piano with Tim at high school for four years and during this time, Tim transformed ... How I Got off the Piano Exam Express

An Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students

by Tim Topham

A Document for Piano Parents Everywhere As the nature of music education shifts from one of note reading, performance and interpretation to one of creativity, curiosity, composition and exploration, many piano teachers are finding it hard to explain the value and importance of this change with parents. This means that there is sometimes a conflict between what ... An Open Letter to Parents of Piano Students

How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

by Stuart Storer

This month, to help piano teachers with their understanding of piano exams, I have two fantastic guest posts from experienced AMEB examiners.  Today’s post is all about a creative new piano syllabus. Rockschool is a syllabus run in the United Kingdom and they have teamed up with AMEB to bring it here.  It is all ... How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

10 Presentation Strategies for a Professional Piano Studio

by Paul Myatt

What makes a professional piano studio? About a year ago, one of my student’s parents said to me, “Do you know why we booked into your music school?” I laughed and said, “Because I’m such a fabulous teacher?”. She responded, “Actually no, it was because your studios were so clean and you made sure any instruments ... 10 Presentation Strategies for a Professional Piano Studio