Be the detective

[Coolydudey]

Today, after much thought, I realised why I find piano exams so stressful. It's up to you to crack the case now, and (hopefully) have some fun in the process. To within reason, you can ask some questions to get extra info before you post your verdict.

The story

With normal exams, I am pretty laid back. It's not because I don't aim for much: I'm a straight A student who's aiming (just finished school) to get into the best higher education institutions in the world. Yet despite this pressure, I'm relaxed. In fact, my family worried a lot that I was too relaxed, trying everything from getting me to run around to making me drink coffee.

With piano exams, there isn't the same weight. If I fail, it's not that important (they're something I do on the side). I can just retake at a later date. However, before the exam, I get very stressed. I fidget, retreat inside myself, and on one occasion, I even outright refused to take the exam. I had also considered "accidentally" cutting the end of my finger while preparing a snack to have a way out. All this despite being well prepared.

The format of the exam

You wait outside the exam room for a few minutes before the other person finishes and then you are called in. You sit down and are allowed to practice for a minute or so to get used to the piano. Then, you start playing your pieces, then the scales, then you do some sight reading, and finally some aural tests (singing, clapping, etc.). The examiners walk you through the whole time. When done, you simply leave.

Up to you to crack the case. Remember, this is just for fun.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

Is there more than one examiner? Does the exam room have a spot light? Are you allowed to drink alcohol? Do you get beatings if you fail? Does the other person who finishes before you threaten or even speak to you after he comes out? Does barney or some other well known child molester reside in the exam room?

 

[DelusiveNinja]

Are there other people in the waiting room before the exam? Have you been diagnosed with testophobia?
http://www.hypnosisaudio.com/product/self-hypnosis-cure-for-the-phobia-of-exams-testophobia--507

 

[Coolydudey]

Sometimes there are two examiners (one being a trainee). No spot light. I can drink alcohol, and there is no strict rule against it in the exam, but obviously you can't go in drunk. No, nothing special happens if I fail, I just retake. The other person is just a normal kid taking the exam himself. Often in the waiting room you will find the parents of the kid taking the exam now.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

Want to describe the place (building, waiting room, exam room)? Does any thing stand out? Are you paying for this or your family?

 

[DelusiveNinja]

With normal exams, I am pretty laid back. It's not because I don't aim for much: I'm a straight A student who's aiming (just finished school) to get into the best higher education institutions in the world. Yet despite this pressure, I'm relaxed. In fact, my family worried a lot that I was too relaxed, trying everything from getting me to run around to making me drink coffee.

What are "normal exams" to you? Do you pay for the classes, in which you receive these "normal exams"? Why was your family worried about how relaxed you were with "normal exams"? I mean if you passed them it shouldn't matter if you are relaxed or trying to cram everyday.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

More questions: Are INTP? Do you have recurring memories of being harshly criticized while someone is watching you, possibly breathing down your neck? What are you allergic to and have you been in contact with it recently? Were you constipated causing fidgeting (because you try to hold it in), retreating inside yourself (to find out where to shit and if you should), and having to refuse to take the exam?

 

[Cognisant]

Either playing the piano means something to you or you're scared of giving a performance because you don't know how well you'll do, whereas other exams are knowledge based so you know more or less how well you'll do before the exam even begins.

 

[Coolydudey]

I'm talking about all piano exams, not a specific instance. The fee is small, whic must family is paying. By normal exams I mean school exams. They were worried because I looked really relaxed - as if I didn't care - and was worried about my performance. I am an INTP.

Cog - I have taken exams which weren't knowledge based for school (serious thinking involved, maths). Still relaxed. And, I knew I'd do great for piano on one instance (which was the case in the end), yet was still stressed like this.

Keep looking.

 

[TheScornedReflex]

Slight variance on Cog's.

You are worried they won't like your playing ability. It has scared your Fe. Add to that the possibility of you making a mistake, or a few, and you become stressed.

 

[r4ch3l]

I've mentioned my strange perception of time/reality in other threads and so I'm throwing this out as a possibility because I could see it happening to me -- maybe having to link the knowledge to a fluid, time-bound activity is difficult and you have anxiety about it?

When I take knowledge-based tests and study for them I feel like I am participating in an activity that takes place out of time (so I am relaxed, confident). The format and parameters of the piano test are different from the others in this way. I used to have a lot of anxiety before recitals when I was younger too; I felt like because I was being observed and graded WHILE the "test" was happening it interfered with my ability to focus and just do my thing...

 

[Coolydudey]

You two are near, but haven't quite found the root cause.

 

[TheScornedReflex]

The fact that people are watching you preform is what causes you stress, right?

 

[r4ch3l]

The fact that people are watching you preform is what causes you stress, right?

I can't even practice piano unless everyone is out of the house. It's weird. And probably why Saturday night = anticipated hermit piano time (now).

I think it's because I don't like making mistakes around people and nobody can hear me making mistakes when I'm reading/learning, but they're out there in the open when I'm practicing. Recovering perfectionist/oversensitive to other people's presence.

Unless it's caring about piano emotionally or the fact that someone else is watching in real time I'm unsure what it could be...is it the interactive component? The fact that you hear the other person before you? Does the test feel unpredictable because you do not get to see it laid out in front of you and have to respond to the cues given by the instructor?

 

[Brontosaurie]

perhaps you're less confident in your motoric skills than you are in your intellectual skills?

 

[r4ch3l]

OH!
Okay, maybe not...it's a stretch. Sometimes I get really dizzy when I play piano. Like I'm focusing so hard at something I'm looking at in my head that the actual physical motor skills recede into the background. Piano vertigo. Could add to the anxiety?

 

[Coolydudey]

The fact that people are watching you preform is what causes you stress, right?

Pretty much. It's like a real-time expectation. And any mistake you make stays a mistake, unlike a paper exam. Basically, it's pressure (described above) plus nervousness (both a little naturally because of the exam but also because of the fact I'm playing in front of people, and I'm always a little nervous around people I don't know).

Case pretty much solved.
TheScornedReflex : gotta admit that as quick

 

[TheScornedReflex]

Pretty much. It's like a real-time expectation. And any mistake you make stays a mistake, unlike a paper exam. Basically, it's pressure (described above) plus nervousness (both a little naturally because of the exam but also because of the fact I'm playing in front of people, and I'm always a little nervous around people I don't know).

Case pretty much solved.
TheScornedReflex : gotta admit that as quick

I also dislike having to do things in front of people I don't know. It makes me really anxious. Introversion is a bitch at times.

Also.. I win!!!

 

[Wolf18]

Verdict: You get nervous because the teacher is listening to you as you play. If you could record the music and give it to the teacher, you would not be nervous.

SW