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I am just starting to play the piano and was wondering if there were exams that I could take? Is there an age restriction on these?

Thanks

There are two that I know:

Royal Exam
Yamaha Exam

Those two are, for sure, open for adults.

why do you even want to take an exam?

so I know my level and can say that I have learn't and qualified for these levels.

Thanks for your response RonaldSteinway.

It really mostly depends on what type of exams, if any, your teacher has experience with and feels comfortable in preparing/recommending you for.

Some teachers routinely have all their students do exams and some teachers feel that their goals as a teacher do not mesh well with these types of exams. There have been discussions in the past, I think, in the teacher's forums on this, and on the merits and weaknesses of different Exam boards.

Some teacher's groups in the US have state-level exams. I know my teacher's young students participate in the AZ State Music Teacher's exams. I don't know if Alabama has something similar.

In general, tho...as you access these things thru your teacher the easiest way is to discuss it with him/her.

You are right - I think my teacher does'nt want me to take the exams. That is why I was trying to find out myself. Let me talk to her again and see if there are any state-level exams.

Thanks for your help.

I have my adult students participate in the local district's Wisconsin Music Teachers Association auditions. These are called "auditions" but you're not auditioning for anything. You simply play 2-3 pieces either with the book or memorized in front of one judge, they give you written comments, and that's it.

It is a good learning experience and it's nice to have something like that to prepare for.

One thing I'd like to say about "levels". This is not something standardized at all. A certain level in one organization means something totally different in another. So really, it has no meaning outside of the group that chooses to use that standard. I would probably leave the question alone as to what your "level" is. At any given point there will always be someone better than you, and always someone worse, so you're somewhere in the middle .

There are also the National Piano Guild auditions which are held each year.

abrsm.org

Thank you all for your advice and information. By level, I really mean with respect to myself, i.e. whether I am any better or not. I want to do better than what I was yesterday. That's why I want to take the exams.

I will try and find the websites for these. And see the syllabus too, so I can start preparing for it.

One way to rate your progress it to record yourself.
And look back at the what your were playing in the beginning that was difficult that is now easy.

I remember when I used to do Tae Kwon Do. The progress was so gradual I hardly noticed it until I saw the new white belts starting and realized "oh yeah, that was me once upon a time".

How about the jazz ones?

http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/jazz/jazzpiano.html

You bet there are piano exams for adults! Join me in working for the Toronto RCM exams! We can't let the younguns have all the fun.

National Music Certificate Exams. The RCM exams offered in the USA.

http://www.nationalconservatoryofmusicofamerica.org/index.html

Yes. It helps hence if I have another person see how much progress I have made especially because I don't know everything so I would not know what is expected of me or my mistakes. But if a judge or a teacher heard me play, he/she would understand my state better and I could also know where I need to work harder.

I agree with the recording part totally; that's why I got a digital keyboard that allows recording of what I played - this way I can hear myself and my mistakes. The white belts were like results to these level exams - if I clear a level well, I know I have learn't a little.

Thank you. Yes I think I will. The corresponding exams to RCM here in the US are the ones I will be taking. I am so glad that there are so many people encouraging me. Thank you.

I used to be into taking exams for both piano and organ.
I have passed the teacher level for both instruments.
Now looking back, my only reason to take the exam is just to be able to qualified to be a teacher. Other than that, I think it is a waste of time.

Now, I do not teach anymore. I do not see any reason for an adult to take exam. Just play for fun, or enter a competition is a better way to improve your playing.

How will you prepare for the exam if your teacher does not want you to take exam.

One important thing that you want to ask yourself "What can you do with your certificate?" Can't you assess your own achievement?

For any reason, I just do not see the reason for an adult to take exam. It is a waste of time and energy..

Does our reason have to be your reason, Ronald? So you took the exam to become qualified as a teacher, but that is only one reason to do so. One reason that I would like to pursue exams is because it gives an added sense of direction, as well as giving additional feedback on our performance from a third party source. The first exam that I took yielded a wealth of observations which my teacher and I then discussed. I found it both informative and enriching.

Children have the framework of school routines and outside parties who are interested in their progress. Also note that there is a sense of "progress". For adults, we can feel relatively directionless as well as isolated.

KS

With respect, I would have to disagree with RonaldSteinway regarding no need for adults to take exams. While I can see his point, I find that knowing that I will have to be ready for an exam next June keeps me motivated, esp. with technique, which I would never practice if I didn't have to. Plus, I want that certificate! I'm working hard for it.

Another good reason for an adult to take exams is exams provide good opportunities in overcoming stagefright. Many adult students are also working professionals who from time to time have to give presentations to their peers. How much better it is to deal with stagefright in a non-threatening environment (hopefully!) such as taking exams rather than having to deal with stagefright on the job where you most likely would have to undergo some job-related training probably reluctantly.

I am an adult student in the USA who takes the ABRSM exams. I did these exams when I was a child as I was raised in the West Indies where it is the norm to do these exams (in the English Speaking islands). Since I've restarted taking these exams in particular the practical exams, I've found that I am a lot more poised in my speech among family, friends, and coworkers, and not as nervous speaking in public.

I strongly encourage any adult who is considering taking exams to do so. Not only are there musical benefits which have been described above but the skills that you learn when preparing for these exams and while taking these exams can be transferred in many different areas of one's life.

well there are ABRSM exams for adults if they require them. However, most adults prefer to continue learning and playing the piano for pleasure, especially as there is a wealth of music available at this level.