The Pressure of Exams in Music and Learning to Enjoy It Again

There’s this point I see a lot where music starts to feel less like something students are just doing for fun and more like something they are constantly being measured on. Exams especially ABRSM exams can sometimes quietly turn it into pressure without anyone really meaning to.

In theory exams are actually fine. They give structure something to aim for and some students really like that. But I also think somewhere along the way the original reason for playing music like curiosity sound just enjoying it can get a bit lost.

It is something I think about quite a lot in teaching.

And I do feel like there is sometimes this pressure even as a teacher to keep things moving through grades to make sure progress looks clear and all of that. It is not always spoken about but it is there in the background a bit.

But I always have to step back and remind myself what actually matters in the lesson. For me it is that the student is actually listening to what they are playing and enjoying it a bit like really enjoying it not just getting through it. Because if that part is not there everything else can start to feel a bit mechanical.

Music is such a creative thing at its core. But when it gets too tied up with exams like ABRSM exams it can start to feel like something you are just trying to tick off rather than actually experience. I have seen students play really well on paper but not really connect with the sound and I think that is just a bit of a shame like honestly.

What usually helps is just taking some pressure off. Giving a bit more space. Space to listen properly. Space to just play something because it sounds nice not because it is on a list.

And when that happens even in a small way you really notice it. The sound changes. It opens up. There is more colour more freedom and it starts to feel like they are actually playing the instrument again.

I do not think exams are bad at all. A lot of students doing ABRSM exams actually do really well with them and feel proud of passing. But I do think they need to stay in balance. They should not take over everything else.

One of my favourite things is when a student who has been feeling a bit pressured suddenly starts enjoying it again. And honestly it is usually not a big thing sometimes it is just playing something they love for a bit or having a lesson where we do not overthink everything.

Over time that balance really does make a difference. Students become more confident and they start to feel more like they actually own what they are playing.

Music for me is always best when there is curiosity there. Exams come and go but that curiosity tends to stay.

And I really do think it is that not pressure that carries people forward in the long run.