Bearing in mind that i’m in training for doing a abrsm grade 3 alto sax exam this November, to get a pass i have to get 100 marks out of 150.
21 – sight reading
21 – scales & arpeggios
18 – Aural tests
60 – play 2 piano accompanied pieces
30 – play 1 solo piece
The pressure is on, to try not to make mistakes in each of the 5 areas, mainly in the playing part as that carries 90 marks!
120 marks will get me a merit which is what i got on my grade 2 exam last december, and 130 marks for a distinction!
I had a sax lesson this week, and its the first time in 14 months that when i played a piece in front of my instructor, that i didn’t get stressed when i played a bunch of wrong notes! That’s the attitude i’m looking for in the exam!
Wanting to focus on enjoying playing the piece in exam conditions is easier said than done, for me its been more of a case of focusing on not making mistakes which brings on more stess/tension!
To me i hope thats the beginning or a turning point in my playing psyche.
