Chris Rolinson B.Mus.(Hons.) DipLCM. DipVCM.(Hons.) Cert. Ed.(Dist.) APRS
Exams and Exam Results
Below you can find a breakdown of my latest Exam results in Piano, Jazz Piano, Electronic Keyboard & Theory of Music. I believe that they stand comparison with any. However, please bear in mind that while exam results are not the be-all and end-all of learning to play piano, they may nonetheless provide some guide as to the quality of teaching provided.
| YEAR | NUMBER OF ENTRIES | DISTINCTION (85% plus) | MERIT (75%-84%) | PASS (65%-74%) | FAIL (below 65%) |
| 2012 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 29 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 46 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 39 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 42 | 34 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 182 | 160 | 19 | 3 | 0 |
As you can clearly see, I have a 100% pass rate, with almost 90% of students gaining distinctions and 99% of students gaining at least a Merit. This is a record of which I am very proud.
More about exams...
Exams can be a really useful way of measuring your progress on the piano. The word "exam" may initially put you off, but all you are really doing is performing in front of an audience of one person, the "examiner".
For most exams, you prepare a few pieces and exercises to play for the examiner and there are usually a few questions to answer, a simple piece of music to play at sight and a few ear tests. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of and I will prepare you as thoroughly as I can before you take any exams.
I use the London College of Music exams - their syllabi and courses are first rate and up-to-date. Their Jazz/Pop/Rock piano exams in particular are very popular, especially with adults, although many of my students do both classical and jazz/pop/rock together!