Saxophone Classes to Prepare for Grading

 

People study the saxophone in different ways. For some, it is a passion that needs no formal constraints, while others follow it as just an enjoyable hobby. For yet others, saxophone playing can be a future career option. For those who take saxophone lessons with the aim of playing professionally, taking grading exams is a good way to proceed. Following are some tips to help you prepare for a saxophone grading exam.

Practice

It is imperative to practice every day. During the exam, you might be asked to play a few pieces, and for this practice is essential. You can also be tested on set scales and arpeggios, so you have to prepare for everything. It is also not unheard of to be tested on sight reading or being given aural tests. Overall, all of these require an immense amount of practice so that you are able to handle the exam with ease.

Study the theory

For many students, saxophone theory is a chore and completely irrelevant to what they want to do and what they enjoy. However, it is really important for your musical development and your overall saxophone learning. Without the theoretical knowledge, you would be unable to communicate your musical ideas to other people. Understanding the theory will help you become more creative and not bogged down by details as many students appear to think. So make sure to study your theory in detail before the exams.

Develop confidence

Developing your confidence will help you do better in your exam. While this is true for any exam, it is more so for your musical instrument grading. One way to do is not to treat the exam as a monster or an obstacle to be cleared at any cost, but as a mere stepping stone on your path of learning. Understand that your certificate or lack of one will not take away from your talent or the pleasure of playing. Get lost in the music and stop worrying about the grades. This really is the best way for you to ace your exams. Remember, if you don’t manage to pass the first time, you can always try again.

Enjoy the exam

While exams are important to evaluate yourself and to understand how far you have progressed in your saxophone learning, they are just an extension of your regular saxophone classes. Preparing for an exam will ensure that you practice and study techniques that you might otherwise be ignoring because they are not your main area of interest. It is customary for the examiner to look at your performance from a professional viewpoint and you might get some great advice or tip that will help you enhance your performance. Try to enjoy the exam as a learning experience and a stepping stone to better things.

Ignore the mistakes

You are still a student and it is quite possible that you will make mistakes during the exam. The best thing to do in this case is to ignore it. Quickly move on, trying to play the best you can. If you get hung up on one silly mistake, you risk damaging your entire performance. Even the most accomplished musician can make mistakes at times, so it is nothing to worry about.

In Singapore, saxophone tutorials can help you prepare well for your exams, but you also need to do a lot of work from your side.