What was your experience of using Rockschool’s digital exams?
Rockschool’s digital exam is an unique breakthrough. Digitalization solves all our problems due to the deadlock caused by COVID-19. RSL is the first music examination board that launched the digital exam. For the first time in the world, music exams are not held as face-to-face. There are many options in RSL, such as video exams and live streaming. RSL is also very versatile, it has performance certificate and graded exam. The repertoires are varies, from Contemporary, Classical, until free choice pieces. It’s modern and up-to-date. The best part is the examiner comment’s positive feedback. It motivates the student to practice and moving forward.
I have many unique experiences with this digital exam. Starting from preparation of students to adapt with a new system, recording video and a lot of others challenging experiences. Submitting the video exam requires a good internet speed. Honestly I'm really proud, because I became a part of music exam revolution.
How did it compare to a face to face exam?
Compared to the offline exam, video exam is more challenging. Because there should not be a pause in video. For teachers, this could be very tiring. The student could play well at the beginning, and then suddenly theymake a mistake at the end of the session. This means that the entire video session has to be recorded from the beginning.
In face-to-face exams, the teacher simply prepares the technique, musicality and mentality of students. But the video exam requires technical preparation, musicality, mentality, patience, physical endurance and an adequate recording atmosphere. For many students, video exams are scarier than face-to-face exams. But it’s a good practice and could be a great solutions, also a good motivation for students during this pandemic time.
How did you or your students feel about taking the exam from home? If you didn’t take it from home, where did you take it from?
Usually I often take the video recordings in my private piano studio. Sometimes there are some students who doing the video recording from home. What really matters is not where the video was recorded. But the atmosphere. Students must feel comfortable, without pressure but also have a figure who can help if there is a technical problem during video recording. And if the students and their parents feel more comfortable at home, why not. The teacher could accompany them during the video recording session.
I have a lot of experience with video and sound recording. Before the pandemic I held concerts for my studentsregularly. And that of course it involves proper video and sound recording. It must be remembered, that this is a video recording for exam purposes. Not a commercial video. So it's enough if you can get a proper picture and the piano sound as natural as possible without disturbing from outside noises. You need a good angle that displays all the keys, fingers and the facial expression of the candidate. Don’t forget to use tripod and some lightings.
Would you recommend a Rockschool digital exam to a friend?
Absolutely. Right now, this is the best solution and the future. It’s fast, convenient, comfortable, and reliable.
Check out this awesome video of Nicholas Patrick Wiranata
playing "Schindler's List Theme" by John Williams,
arranged for RSL Classical Piano Grade 7.