Preparing For an Exam
We musicians take our music examinations and tests very seriously, because even though the test results may not define you as a musician, we judge ourselves based on how much we score in these tests.
Last morning, I gave my Trinity Rock and Pop Grade 6 Guitar examination...let me tell you this: I've given Grade 3, Grade 5, and now Grade 6, and I can very well say that these examinations are in no way good enough to judge any musician.
So, you're reading this post for three possible reasons:
1)You just came across my blog through some kind of google search.
2)You follow my blog.
3)Your friend, relative showed you this post.
Either way, you're reading this because you have an exam to prepare for, and you need to know how you can best prepare for such an exam.
Here are a few tips I feel can help you prepare for your exam better:
PRINT:
Plan
Redo
Inconsistency
Negligence
Try
Here's what each of these terms mean:
1)Plan: Almost everything requires some amount of planning. Even in this case, it's very important to plan, make a schedule. You know what you have to do, what your exam is about. Make a time table and give music and this exam preparation some time every day. Planning will make you more organised and you will be able to function better that way.
2)Redo: This mostly implies for the exams which require you to actually play an instrument. Keep doing the same pieces repeatedly, EVEN IF YOU'VE GOT THEM RIGHT. It is very important, because you're going to play it 10 times worse in the exam room or on stage than you're playing it at home. Therefore, keep practicing it, because you can't afford to think when you're performing it. If you think, you're bound to make mistakes.
3)Inconsistency: While practicing, or even studying for theory, you just cannot be inconsistent. If you're done with one piece or one part of your studies, don't just carry on without revising it. Be consistent. Fix a day when you're going to revise everything you've done, so that while focusing on your later pieces or chapters, you don't forget what you've done previously.
4)Negligence: Now here, what I mean is, you have to show negligence...yes, you heard me. YOU HAVE TO SHOW NEGLIGENCE. Now hear me out. You need to keep aside all your distractions when you're studying or practicing. It's tough for some people, I know, but you have the rest of the day to do what you want with your life. Whatsapp, Kik, Skype, Friends, everything can wait for those one or two hours every day that you're studying music. Your friends and girlfriend/boyfriend will understand. You have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best, and to be very honest, KEEPING YOUR PHONE AWAY FOR SOMETIME IS NOT A SACRIFICE.
5)Try: Well, even the best of the best need help sometimes. If you get confused with something, read it again. Try playing it again. Listen to the track so you understand better. Ask your friend, teacher, take help from someone who would know, but don't give up. Keep trying. That's what makes all the difference.
In this way, the simple word PRINT can help you prepare for your exam more efficiently, and help you ace the test. I have personally used this and got better results than I thought I would.
But remember, THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOU DON'T CHEAT. Now what I mean by that is, you follow this diligently, and you won't have any problems. You breach any one of these, and the PRINT method won't fetch you any better grades than you deserve.
Thank you for taking your time out to read this post.
Have a nice day!
Feel free to write emails: parthbhavnani@outlook.com
Last morning, I gave my Trinity Rock and Pop Grade 6 Guitar examination...let me tell you this: I've given Grade 3, Grade 5, and now Grade 6, and I can very well say that these examinations are in no way good enough to judge any musician.
So, you're reading this post for three possible reasons:
1)You just came across my blog through some kind of google search.
2)You follow my blog.
3)Your friend, relative showed you this post.
Either way, you're reading this because you have an exam to prepare for, and you need to know how you can best prepare for such an exam.
Here are a few tips I feel can help you prepare for your exam better:
PRINT:
Plan
Redo
Inconsistency
Negligence
Try
Here's what each of these terms mean:
1)Plan: Almost everything requires some amount of planning. Even in this case, it's very important to plan, make a schedule. You know what you have to do, what your exam is about. Make a time table and give music and this exam preparation some time every day. Planning will make you more organised and you will be able to function better that way.
2)Redo: This mostly implies for the exams which require you to actually play an instrument. Keep doing the same pieces repeatedly, EVEN IF YOU'VE GOT THEM RIGHT. It is very important, because you're going to play it 10 times worse in the exam room or on stage than you're playing it at home. Therefore, keep practicing it, because you can't afford to think when you're performing it. If you think, you're bound to make mistakes.
3)Inconsistency: While practicing, or even studying for theory, you just cannot be inconsistent. If you're done with one piece or one part of your studies, don't just carry on without revising it. Be consistent. Fix a day when you're going to revise everything you've done, so that while focusing on your later pieces or chapters, you don't forget what you've done previously.
4)Negligence: Now here, what I mean is, you have to show negligence...yes, you heard me. YOU HAVE TO SHOW NEGLIGENCE. Now hear me out. You need to keep aside all your distractions when you're studying or practicing. It's tough for some people, I know, but you have the rest of the day to do what you want with your life. Whatsapp, Kik, Skype, Friends, everything can wait for those one or two hours every day that you're studying music. Your friends and girlfriend/boyfriend will understand. You have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best, and to be very honest, KEEPING YOUR PHONE AWAY FOR SOMETIME IS NOT A SACRIFICE.
5)Try: Well, even the best of the best need help sometimes. If you get confused with something, read it again. Try playing it again. Listen to the track so you understand better. Ask your friend, teacher, take help from someone who would know, but don't give up. Keep trying. That's what makes all the difference.
In this way, the simple word PRINT can help you prepare for your exam more efficiently, and help you ace the test. I have personally used this and got better results than I thought I would.
But remember, THIS ONLY WORKS IF YOU DON'T CHEAT. Now what I mean by that is, you follow this diligently, and you won't have any problems. You breach any one of these, and the PRINT method won't fetch you any better grades than you deserve.
Thank you for taking your time out to read this post.
Have a nice day!
Feel free to write emails: parthbhavnani@outlook.com
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