Oh No!
In Issue 36 I shared how I started to learn to play the piano in 2018. Over the years, I took lessons, participated in a few recitals and played solely for pleasure. I loved it when I came across a piece of music that moved me – I would start to sway as I sat on the piano bench. That was the best!
Over time, though, my skills weren’t advancing as much as I would have liked and I noticed I didn’t play as often as I should, especially during the summer months when hubby and I were away camping. I was worried I would start to lose the skills I had learned.
Up to now I had avoided taking The Royal Conservatory of Music because I didn’t want to turn my “pleasure piano playing” into education. In the fall of 2024, though, I changed my mind and informed my piano teacher that I wanted to start the RCM program, starting at the very beginning with Preparatory A. My teacher was both surprised and delighted as I had never expressed interest in the RCM program before.
I promptly went to the music store and bought the required books: “Piano Repertoire, Sight Reading and Ear Tests and Technical Requirements for Piano” and registered to take the exam on January 18, 2025. My piano teacher helped me learn and understand all the requirements for the exam (three songs, sight reading, clap back, play back, and scales) and I went through all the songs in the Repertoire book, deciding on the three I liked best: A Skating Waltz, Barefoot on the Beach and Smooth and Crunchy. I decided I would do A Skating Waltz from memory and would use the music book for the other two songs. Barefoot on the Beach was my favorite and Smooth and Crunchy was the hardest of the three and took the most time to learn.
On the day of the exam, I felt really good; relaxed, not really nervous and was looking forward to the new experience. I arrived at the exam site early and found myself waiting in the hall outside the exam room while child after child went in and played. I was the only adult who didn’t have a child with them and I could hear them play from out in the hall – they were really good. I told myself, “You are only competing against yourself. Enjoy it.”
When I entered the exam room, I was greeted by a beautiful black, shiny Yamaha baby grand piano and I took my seat. Aside from missing the F-sharp on the D major scale (which I corrected), I played the scale well and also did well with the sight reading, clap back and play back. Then came the music. I was going along quite well with A Skating Waltz when I made an error partway through but kept going. Next up was Barefoot on the Beach, my favorite of the three songs, and I completely butchered it. I don’t know what happened. All I remember is saying “Oh No!” out loud and the examiner issuing forth a kind, reassuring remark. As she took a minute to record my mark, I stared straight ahead and said to myself, “Don’t cry in front of the examiner,” and I managed to hold it in. This was a disaster! Practice had gone so well; I didn’t know what was happening. Last up was Smooth and Crunchy and my hardest piece went surprisingly well and was the best of the three. The songs went completely backwards; I ruined my favorite song and the hardest song was the best of the lot. I left 100% certain I had failed the exam, but would have to wait until February 7th to find out – that’s a long wait. Isn’t that how life is sometimes? Things don’t go according to plan and in spite of all your effort, it goes south. Such is the nature of life…and piano exams…at times. You’re not alone; I hear you!
When was the last time you had an “Oh No!” moment?
How did you feel?
What did you learn?
Recommended Resources (not just for piano players)
Video – “Failing a Piano exam…” (3:08) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIzE-AEP_9g
Monthly Challenge
Think of the last time that, in spite of your effort and hard work, something went south. What did you respond? How did you move on?