Preparing for a digital music exam? Learn how to record piano, guitar, violin and vocal exam videos, including camera position, audio, lighting and recording tips.
Digital and video-based music examinations have made it possible for students to record their performances at home, at school, or in a professional recording environment. However, recording a music exam is not the same as simply filming a performance.
The camera needs to capture the candidate, instrument and performance clearly, while the audio must allow the examiner to assess the playing accurately. More importantly, each examination board may have specific requirements for recording, file format, camera position, introductions and submission.
Whether you are recording a piano exam, guitar exam, violin exam, vocal exam or another instrumental performance, careful preparation can prevent technical problems from affecting your submission.
1. Check the Exam Board's Recording Requirements First
Before setting up your camera, check the latest requirements from your examination board and syllabus. Requirements can differ between organisations and even between different exam types.
For example, Trinity’s current digital music guidance requires the performance to be recorded as one continuous take, with the candidate and instrument appropriately visible. Trinity also specifies accepted video formats and a maximum file size.
ABRSM’s Performance Grades similarly require a continuous audio-visual recording, but have their own requirements for introductions, identification and what must be shown to the camera.
Do not rely on an old recording guide or another student’s experience. Always check the current requirements for your specific exam.
2. Choose the Right Camera Position
A common mistake is positioning the camera based only on getting a good-looking video. For an exam recording, the examiner needs to see and hear the performance clearly.
Depending on the instrument, the camera may need to show:
- The candidate’s face
- The full instrument
- Both hands
- Relevant pedals or footwork
- Music stand or accompaniment where required
- An accompanist, if applicable
For example, Trinity’s guidance states that the candidate’s body and face should be visible, while instrument-specific positioning may apply. For piano exams, make sure the camera angle does not hide the keyboard or the player’s hands. Before recording the actual exam, make a short test video and check the framing from start to finish.
3. Prioritise Clear Audio Over High-Quality Video
For a music examination, good sound is more important than having an expensive camera.
The examiner needs to hear details such as Notes and pitch, Rhythm and timing, Dynamics, Articulation, Tone quality, Balance and Musical expression.
A modern smartphone or tablet can often produce perfectly usable recordings if it is positioned correctly. ABRSM states that modern smartphones, tablets and laptops can be suitable for exam recordings, provided the recording quality is sufficient for assessment. Do a test recording before the exam and listen to it using headphones.
Check for:
Is the instrument too loud?
Is the sound distorted?
Can quiet passages still be heard?
Is there too much background noise?
Can the examiner hear the candidate and accompaniment clearly?
4. Avoid Backlighting and Poor Lighting
Good lighting helps the examiner see the candidate clearly. Avoid placing the candidate directly in front of a bright window or strong light source. This can create a silhouette and make the face or hands difficult to see.
Instead:
- Face the light source where possible
- Use even room lighting
- Avoid strong shadows
- Check the candidate’s face and hands on the test recording
The goal is not to create a cinematic video. The goal is clear and assessable video.
5. Use a Stable Camera
Do not hold your phone throughout the performance. Use A tripod, A stable phone stand, A secure table or suitable surface.
The camera should remain stationary during the performance unless the exam board specifically allows otherwise. A stable camera also makes it easier for the examiner to concentrate on the performance rather than a moving image.
6. Choose a Quiet Recording Environment
Background noise can become a serious problem during an exam recording.
Before recording:
- Turn off televisions
- Put phones on silent or airplane mode
- Close doors and windows if appropriate
- Keep pets away from the recording area
- Inform family members that an exam is taking place
- Avoid rooms with excessive echo
Even small noises can become noticeable when the recording is played back. Choose the quietest practical room with good acoustics.
7. Do a Full Trial Recording Before the Exam
One of the best ways to avoid problems is to complete a mock recording from beginning to end. Don’t just test the first piece. Record the entire exam sequence as closely as possible to the actual submission.
Then check Camera framing, Audio quality, Lighting, Instrument visibility, Candidate visibility, Accompaniment balance, File format, File size, Available storage, Battery level, and Whether the complete recording plays correctly.
Take note that most exam boards limits the upload size to be 2GB at the time of this writing.
8. Check the File Before Uploading
Technical problems don’t necessarily end when the performance finishes. Before submitting your exam video: Play the entire file from beginning to end.
Check that:
- Video and audio are synchronised
- The file opens correctly
- The entire performance is included
- There are no accidental interruptions
- The file meets the required format
- The file is within the permitted size
- The image remains clear
- The sound remains consistent
If your video size is over 2GB, use a video compressor to reduce the overall size before submission, but not before reviewing the entire take again. Keep a backup copy of the recording until you have received confirmation that your submission has been successfully processed.
Common Music Exam Recording Mistakes
❌ Camera too close
❌ Camera too far away
❌ Poor lighting
❌ Excessive background noise
❌ Distorted audio
❌ Incorrect camera angle
❌ Recording without checking the syllabus
❌ Running out of storage or battery
❌ Editing the performance
❌ Uploading without checking the file
A corrupted or incomplete file can create unnecessary submission problems.
Need Help Recording Your Music Exam?
Preparing for a music examination is already stressful enough. The last thing a student or parent needs is to worry about whether the camera is positioned correctly, whether the sound is clear, or whether the final video meets the technical requirements.
Whether you are recording a piano, guitar, violin, vocal or other music examination, we can help you prepare the technical side of the recording so that you can concentrate on your performance.