Exams
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How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

by Stuart Storer

This month, to help piano teachers with their understanding of piano exams, I have two fantastic guest posts from experienced AMEB examiners.  Today’s post is all about a creative new piano syllabus. Rockschool is a syllabus run in the United Kingdom and they have teamed up with AMEB to bring it here.  It is all ... How do Rockschool Piano Exams Work?

04/12/2017 Read more

Making Practice Stick

by Tim Topham

Hello, Practising the Piano readers! A warm welcome to staging.topmusic.co, a place dedicated to teaching piano differently and supporting creativity and innovation in music education. I hope you enjoyed reading my article: Making Practice Stick on Graham’s blog today. I had a lot of fun putting it together and hope it’s been valuable in your thinking about effective practice. I’ve ... Making Practice Stick

10/23/2016 Read more

How to pass an AMusA Diploma exam

by Tim Topham

If you’re a teacher or student living in Australia, you will no doubt be aware that the AMusA (Associate of Music Australia) is considered one of the benchmark qualifications for performers and teachers in this country and is a qualification to which most advanced classical students rightly aspire. It is a Diploma-level music exam equivalent to ... How to pass an AMusA Diploma exam

09/09/2015 Read more

Therese Milanovic on Piano Technique: “But what will the examiner say?”

by Tim Topham

I recently found this four-part series by Brisbane-based teacher and presenter Therese Milanovic, and just had to share it with you. (It’s going to be particularly relevant to all the Aussie teachers who use the AMEB exam syllabus.) As a teacher of exam students, I’m often worried about what the examiner might think about my students’ technique, performance skills or ... Therese Milanovic on Piano Technique: “But what will the examiner say?”

04/10/2015 Read more

AMEB Series 17 Piano | Best pieces Grades 4-6

by Tim Topham

Quick NavigationIntroductionGrade 4Grade 5Grade 6Conclusion & Where to buy Introduction This is the second in my 3-part blog series about the music in the new AMEB Series 17 publications released in November 2014. My first part, showing my favourite pieces for Grades P-3 is here.  In this article, I’ll be focussing on the music found ... AMEB Series 17 Piano | Best pieces Grades 4-6

02/02/2015 Read more

AMEB Series 17 Piano | Best Pieces Grades P-3

by Tim Topham

Quick NavigationIntroductionSeries 17 OverviewFavourite SelectionsHow I decided on the selectionsPreliminaryGrade 1Grade 2Grade 3ConclusionWhere to buy​What are your thoughts?  Introduction If you’re an Australian piano teacher who uses the Australian Music Examination Board syllabus with your students,  you’re no doubt aware that a new series of teaching books has just been released: Series 17 Piano. As ... AMEB Series 17 Piano | Best Pieces Grades P-3

11/21/2014 Read more
 

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Making the most of the AMEB Manual List | The Piano Teacher Magazine

by Tim Topham

How should I use the Manual List? While the Australian Music Examinations Board  (AMEB) releases music books for each grade level whenever they update their exam syllabuses, there is a wealth of other great pieces listed permanently in the syllabus under the “Manual List”. Remember that the exam books for each grade only feature around three ... Making the most of the AMEB Manual List | The Piano Teacher Magazine

08/26/2014 Read more

How to mark a piano exam | “On Your Marks” ABRSM

by Tim Topham

If you’ve ever wanted to be a ‘fly on the wall’ at one of your students’ piano exams, have a look at this great free offering from the ABRSM. What is it? The ABRSM has just released a great feature on its website called “On Your Marks”. This resource allows you to watch and assess all the ... How to mark a piano exam | “On Your Marks” ABRSM

10/01/2013 Read more

First experience: ANZCA Modern Piano v. AMEB Piano for Leisure

by Tim Topham

Many of you will have read last month’s post about my experience using Trinity College Exams; now I thought it appropriate to let you know about my first experience preparing students for the ANZCA Modern Piano syllabus. This year for the first time, I chose two students who I felt suited an ANZCA exam : ... First experience: ANZCA Modern Piano v. AMEB Piano for Leisure

12/24/2012 Read more

Trinity College Exams – First Impressions

by Tim Topham

In September last year, I wrote a blog post titled Australian piano exams compared: which syllabus is the best? and made a commitment to my readers that I would trial a couple of the alternate (i.e. non-AMEB) examination boards in the coming year and report back regarding my experience. The original post has remained in my ... Trinity College Exams – First Impressions

11/19/2012 Read more

Why Working To Exams Is Anti-Piano

by Tim Topham

OK, so this might be a bit controversial but hear me out. I was reading a fabulous article by Kathryn Page in a recent Pianist Magazine (No 67), entitled “Developing and maintaining repertoire”. The article was about how important it is for pianists and students to play lots of music at one level and style ... Why Working To Exams Is Anti-Piano

11/17/2012 Read more

Preparing for Piano General Knowledge: Questions parents can ask their children.

by Tim Topham

Students need all the help they can get! Parents are probably one of the best resources for assisting students to prepare for the general knowledge section of their practical examinations. This section of the exam, also called “Musical Knowledge” (Trinity) or Viva Voce for some exam boards, is an important component of the practical examination, ... Preparing for Piano General Knowledge: Questions parents can ask their children.

06/13/2012 Read more