The AMEB exams are almost upon with a little less than two weeks to go. The final preparations are being made by students of mine in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Grafton. Of the twenty-two candidates will be sitting on their exams on clarinet and saxophone ranging from Preliminary grade right through to the new Certificate of Performance. The age range of students taking part is from not-quite-seven, right through to those studying for their HSC.
The feeling amongst a lot of the students is anxiety, obviously not knowing what to expect, but at the same time the confidence and self-belief that they are capable of performing for a distinction (or an “A”) is very high. This is not something you would normally witness amongst a group of students. There is no fear of the mistakes that could be made, or any of the technical work forgotten, but reliability in the strengths and capabilities they have developed as studying musicians. I would be willing to bet that some students won’t be afraid to take some risks with their repertoire on the day.
“You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra
Going back twelve months when the preparation first commenced, and even with less than six months to go, the belief may not have been there but it is firmly established now. Some students have never experienced getting a high mark, which does have an effect on your confidence and preparation. The perspective and mindset on the other hand is of far greater importance, and it is this that needs to be established in order to attain a high mark.
Over the course of this year I have been concentrating a lot more on the mental preparations, more so to the point where it has balanced really well with the instrumental practice. As a private/single-studies teacher I’m surprised a lot more music tutors/teachers, especially qualified, don’t consider mental preparation as an area for improvement. After all, musicians do need to focus and concentrate on a task with understanding AND a positive mindset.
What are your thoughts?
