It is over.
I am having mixed feelings. There is a feeling of relief that the exams went fine (despite a number of hiccups). At the same time, I feel a sense of loss that something that I have been practising for these past few months is now over.
Special thanks to my mother for helping me with the logistics today. Million thanks to dear Emily for her most invaluable help with the piano accompaniment. Three cheers to Emily.
My deep appreciation to MJ for his patient and inspiring guidance. Thanks to GM, my orchestra's double bass tutor, who has helped to start me off with a few pointers at the earlier stages of my preparation. A thank you to the examiner for being patient with the relatively longer time it took for me to set up my instrument in the exams studio. The examinations stewards who were attending to me for the registration before my exams were also very helpful.
Some reflections after the exams:
1) I need to work a lot on sight-reading! This shall be the focus of my upcoming lessons with MJ.
2) My playing of scales and arpeggios has improved compared to the time when I was sitting for Grade 7 practical exams. I think I will still need to continue working on being more proficient in playing scales and arpeggios.
This afternoon, while waiting for my turn, I heard a young boy playing scales on the violin. I wish I could bow 7 notes in a bow with his kind of proficiency and beautiful tone, if not, better.
3) I think I should be able to pass the aural tests, yet I am considering if I should spend a bit more time improving my aural abilities.
4) I should give myself more time to rest my mind, if necessary, before I start playing. I think I felt pressured to start before I was ready, but at the same time, I was worried that I might take ages before I would feel ready to start. Anyway, hopefully, by trying to give myself enough time before starting, I won't be tempted to rush while playing.
If my assessment of my performance during the exams today is accurate, I think I should pass the exams.
Now, the goals for future practices are to improve my posture, my technique and sense of musicality. Of course, sight-reading skills.
6 comments:
i am happy you felt you did a good representation at the exam! congrats! that is in itself cause for celebration!
Hi Misti: Thanks.
I felt I could have played better for my programme. I have done better for a few of my last practices. Anyway, under the exams condition, and that I was freaking out from the inside, today's exams still went better than my grade 7 exams. So I figured I could pass?
Mmm... I guess it's easier to practice for an exam than to practice for enjoyment huh? Or would it be the other way round? LOL. Congrats at completing the exams in anycase. Whether pass or fail, it's now out of your hands literally, so take it easy. Oh, it just occurred to me -- the best practice is the world might very well be to play for a "live" audience, wouldn't it? Anyway, I don't know what I'm saying, as usual... :)
Congratulations on making it through your exams. I know how that feels, the sense of anti-climax after you work so hard toward something. I hope you can rest a bit and start enjoying practicing more, now that you don't have the stress of exams hanging over you.
Ivan: It is easier to practice for enjoyment, because I would have played easier pieces. But exams help give a reason for me to dedicate more time to practice (while managing other committments), and that in turn, helps me in my playing.
Waterfall: Yes, there was a sense of anti-climax. I am hoping to work on sight-reading. It is a good skill to have since I play in an orchestra.
Congrats! It's over!!!
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