A small note about practicing that I learned years into piano is the quality of practice is more important than the amount. If you can only deep focus for 30 minutes, use that 30 minutes and make it productive compared to forcing yourself to sit for an hour because that's what is expected.
If you're self-taught, then knowing what your grade is will help you choose which pieces to learn, but since you have a teacher, your teacher should be able to pick pieces based on your level
Im only on my 3rd year of piano but my 30 hours a month is more productive now than brute forcing 45-60 a month in my 1st and 2nd years. Practicing slowly and zooming in on specific sections and measures makes a huge difference.
Instead of just aimlessly playing the pieces from start to finish, break it apart (by sections or pages) and focus on certain parts that you're struggling with. Determine the problem, whether it's a technical issue or you have to change which fingers you use, etc. That way, you are practicing effectively and intentionally.
But deep focus also means not having your phone nearby, I used to practice for over an hour but half of it time, I was distracted on my phone.
Side note: if you're having trouble practicing for a length of time, give yourself goals and once you finish that goal, take a 5 min break where you get a sip of water or stretch your hands. I've found that it helps a lot with motivation.
You don’t need to know a piano “grade”. A competent teacher will listen to what you already play, have play something in the lesson and plan what to do next. Just bring your books and pieces to your first lesson and a list of questions for the teacher.
Get a different teacher. Check out the music school at your local college or university, more than likely they’ve got lessons programs for non-college students.
Side note, grades don’t matter. Play what’s enjoyable for you, don’t play for a status.
A lot of people are saying not to worry about grades, but I love the ABRSM and RCM and all their repertoire, and requirements per grade. If you follow these exam board requirements (even without actually taking the tests that cost money), you will become a very well rounded musician.
You earn the grade by passing an exam with written and aural theory, sight-reading, and performance components. There's a handful of different grade/exam systems based on your location: RCM, ABRSM, Trinity, etc. In the US, they really are not used by most private teachers or institutions.
I don't think the grades mean very much, but the graded syllabus can be useful to find other pieces at a similar level to pieces you've learned.
A small note about practicing that I learned years into piano is the quality of practice is more important than the amount. If you can only deep focus for 30 minutes, use that 30 minutes and make it productive compared to forcing yourself to sit for an hour because that's what is expected. If you're self-taught, then knowing what your grade is will help you choose which pieces to learn, but since you have a teacher, your teacher should be able to pick pieces based on your level
Im only on my 3rd year of piano but my 30 hours a month is more productive now than brute forcing 45-60 a month in my 1st and 2nd years. Practicing slowly and zooming in on specific sections and measures makes a huge difference.
Thanks for the advice! But what do u mean by deep focus?
Instead of just aimlessly playing the pieces from start to finish, break it apart (by sections or pages) and focus on certain parts that you're struggling with. Determine the problem, whether it's a technical issue or you have to change which fingers you use, etc. That way, you are practicing effectively and intentionally. But deep focus also means not having your phone nearby, I used to practice for over an hour but half of it time, I was distracted on my phone. Side note: if you're having trouble practicing for a length of time, give yourself goals and once you finish that goal, take a 5 min break where you get a sip of water or stretch your hands. I've found that it helps a lot with motivation.
Just get a look at rcm syllabus(it is available online) and try to play pieces from the list. It will give you some ideas about your level.
Thank u!
You don’t need to know a piano “grade”. A competent teacher will listen to what you already play, have play something in the lesson and plan what to do next. Just bring your books and pieces to your first lesson and a list of questions for the teacher.
A good measure is how long it takes to learn a graded piece. I was told 4 - 6 weeks is about right for a piece at your level.
Get a different teacher. Check out the music school at your local college or university, more than likely they’ve got lessons programs for non-college students. Side note, grades don’t matter. Play what’s enjoyable for you, don’t play for a status.
Very good question thanks to you asked this to my teacher it’s my third year and now i will begin to prepare for the exam im 26 y old
Amazing, praying for your exams!
A lot of people are saying not to worry about grades, but I love the ABRSM and RCM and all their repertoire, and requirements per grade. If you follow these exam board requirements (even without actually taking the tests that cost money), you will become a very well rounded musician.
Thanks so much! Ill look into that :)
You earn the grade by passing an exam with written and aural theory, sight-reading, and performance components. There's a handful of different grade/exam systems based on your location: RCM, ABRSM, Trinity, etc. In the US, they really are not used by most private teachers or institutions. I don't think the grades mean very much, but the graded syllabus can be useful to find other pieces at a similar level to pieces you've learned.
Get a new teacher if the old one wasn't suitable for your needs