ChineseViolinTeacherWorldwideOnlineABRSMExamPassTips
Shang Kun 2026-08-08 1
If you are preparing for an ABRSM violin exam—whether it is Grade 5, Grade 8, or even the ARSM diploma—you have probably already realised that the path is rarely straightforward. You might have a teacher who focuses on technique but neglects the aural tests. Or you might be taking online lessons and wondering whether you are missing something crucial by not being in the same room. Perhaps you feel stuck at a plateau, repeating the same pieces without improvement.
I have spent over two decades watching students struggle with exactly these challenges. And I have also seen what separates those who pass with distinction from those who simply scrape through—or fail altogether. This article is not a sales pitch. It is a collection of honest observations from someone who has been on both sides of the exam room: as a performer and as a teacher who has guided hundreds of students through ABRSM exams, both in-person and online.
Let me share what I have learned, so you can avoid the most common mistakes and build a smarter, more effective preparation strategy.
The Truth About ABRSM Exam Preparation: What Most Teachers Won't Tell YouABRSM exams are often presented as a straightforward checklist: learn three pieces, practise scales, do sight-reading and aural tests. But the reality is far more nuanced. The examiners are not just ticking boxes—they are listening for musicality, control, and a clear understanding of style. Many students fail not because they cannot play the notes, but because they lack the depth that the examiners expect.
Here are three hidden traps I have seen derail even talented students:Trap 1: Over-focus on the pieces.
It is natural to spend 80% of practice time on the three set pieces. But the mark scheme gives equal weight to scales, sight-reading, and aural tests. If you neglect these, you can lose up to 40% of your total marks. I have watched students who played their pieces beautifully lose their passing grade because they froze during aural identification or stumbled on a simple scale pattern.
Trap 2: Playing faster, not better. Many students think that speed equals impressiveness. In reality, examiners reward control, intonation, and phrasing far more than tempo. A student who plays a Grade 6 piece at a comfortable tempo with clean shifts and dynamic contrast will score higher than one who rushes through with faked bowing and missed notes. I always tell my students: slow practice is the secret to fast improvement.
Trap 3: Choosing the wrong repertoire. ABRSM provides a long list of pieces, but not every piece suits every student. Some are technically demanding but musically dry. Others are easier to read but require advanced bow control. A good teacher will help you select pieces that highlight your strengths while also developing your weaknesses. I have seen students waste months on a piece that fights their natural playing style—and then switch to a better-matched piece and improve in weeks.
The lesson Exam preparation is not just about practising harder. It is about practising smarter, with a clear understanding of what the examiner actually wants.
Why Online Violin Lessons Can Be Just as Effective (If Done Right)If you are considering online violin lessons for ABRSM preparation—or you have already started—you may have heard doubts: “You cannot correct posture through a screen,” or “The sound delay will ruin your sense of rhythm.” These concerns are valid, but they are not insurmountable.
In fact, online lessons have several unique advantages that in-person lessons cannot offer. First, you can record every session and review it later, catching details you missed during the lesson. Second, students often become more independent, because they have to rely on their own ears to adjust between lessons. Third, you have access to teachers anywhere in the world—which matters if you are in a remote area or if you want a specialist in ABRSM exam preparation.
But the key is how the online lesson is structured. A good online violin teacher does not simply teach the same way as in-person. They adapt the camera angle to show bow hold, finger placement, and full body posture. They use split-screen or zoom-in techniques to demonstrate specific passages. They also know how to work with audio latency—for example, avoiding playing together in real time, and instead using clapping or verbal cues to teach rhythm.
I have been teaching online violin lessons globally since 2017, and I can tell you that many of my students have achieved high ABRSM scores—including Distinctions—entirely through online sessions. The technology is not the limitation. The teaching method is.
One thing to watch out for: make sure your teacher has a structured system for online lessons. If they simply point a laptop at you and talk, you will not get the same results. Look for a teacher who provides clear practice plans, uses annotated sheet music, and gives you written feedback after each lesson.
A Simple Framework for ABRSM Grade 8 and Beyond: From a Teacher Who's Been ThereOver the years, I have developed a systematic approach that helps students consistently improve their ABRSM results. I call it the Three-Pillar Method, and it is based on what I have seen work—not just for my students, but also for my own playing.
Pillar 1: Structured daily practice, not marathon sessions. Most students practise too much on some days and nothing on others. The brain learns best with consistent, short, focused sessions. I recommend 30–45 minutes of deliberate practice every day, divided into four segments: scales (10 min), technical exercises (10 min), piece work (15 min), and sight-reading/aural (10 min). This ensures you touch every element of the exam every day.
Pillar 2: Backwards planning from the exam date. Once you set your exam date, work backwards to create a schedule. For example, 12 weeks before the exam: finalise all pieces. 8 weeks: memorise scales and practise sight-reading daily. 4 weeks: do full mock exams under timed conditions. I have seen students who leave everything to the last two weeks and then panic. A clear timeline removes anxiety and builds confidence.
Pillar 3: Recording and self-evaluation. Every week, record yourself playing your pieces and scales. Then listen back critically. You will hear intonation problems, rhythmic unevenness, and phrasing gaps that you never noticed while playing. This habit alone can raise your score by one or two marks per section. I require all my students to send me a weekly recording, and I give them detailed feedback before the next lesson.
This framework is not magic. It is a method that has been refined through hundreds of exam cycles. When students follow it, they not only pass—they often surpass their own expectations.
How to Choose the Right Violin Teacher for ABRSM SuccessLet me be blunt: not every qualified violin teacher knows how to prepare students for ABRSM exams. There are brilliant performers who have no clue about the specific requirements of graded exams. And there are teachers who have taught for years but use a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach that ignores your individual strengths and weaknesses.
Here is what to look for when choosing a teacher—whether online or in-person:1. Do they have personal experience with ABRSM
A teacher who has been through the system themselves—or has guided many students through multiple grades—understands the nuances. They know which common mistakes examiners penalise, how to score high in aural tests, and how to select pieces that play to your strengths.
2. Do they teach according to your ability, not their ego The best teachers are not those who show off their own skills, but those who adapt their teaching to your current level. If a teacher insists on pushing you into advanced pieces before you have solid fundamentals, walk away. The goal is not to impress anyone with difficulty—it is to master the material at each grade.
3. Do they offer a complete learning system ABRSM exams require more than just playing. You need guidance on practice routines, mental preparation, instrument maintenance, and even how to handle exam day nerves. A good teacher provides this holistically.
This brings me to why I founded Kun Violin—not as a brand, but as a philosophy. I started my music journey at age 4, studied under Professor Jin Yanping at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, and later performed at institutions like the National University of Singapore and the University of Hong Kong. I have been teaching since 2003, and over those two decades I developed the ShangKun Teaching Method—a structured, scientific approach tailored to each student's unique needs.
I have served as a violin instructor at the British DCB International School in Beijing, worked as a coach for the Beijing Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and been invited as a guest judge for national violin exams. My students have achieved high-level certificates from the China Conservatory of Music and won top awards in competitions. But the most rewarding feedback I hear is not about grades—it is when students tell me they finally understood how to practise, or when a parent says their child's confidence has grown.
That is what teaching is about: empowering you to become your own best teacher.Real Stories: What My Students Learned the Hard Way
Let me share two examples that illustrate the difference between struggling and succeeding in ABRSM exams.
Case 1: A 14-year-old student preparing for Grade 6. At our first lesson, he played his piece with decent notes but no phrasing—every note sounded the same. He had been practising for six months with a previous teacher who only corrected wrong notes. We spent three weeks working on bow control and dynamic contrast. Then we did mock exams every two weeks. By the exam date, his playing had transformed. He scored 138 out of 150—a Distinction. His parents told me they had almost given up hope. The problem wasn't his talent. It was the lack of a systematic approach.
Case 2: An adult student preparing for Grade 5 online from another country. She had taken a break from violin for years and was nervous about returning. She worried that online lessons would not be effective. In her first session, I noticed her left-hand tension was causing intonation problems. I gave her specific exercises to do in front of a mirror, and asked her to send me video clips each day. Within a month, her sound improved dramatically. She passed Grade 5 with Merit and now is preparing for Grade 7. She said the most helpful part was the weekly recordings—because she could see her own progress and correct mistakes before they became habits.
These stories are not unique. Almost every student who struggles does so because of a missing piece in their preparation—whether it's technique, practice discipline, or understanding of the exam format. Once that gap is filled, the results follow.
Your Next Step: Prepare With Purpose, Not PanicIf you are reading this and feeling a little overwhelmed, take a breath. The ABRSM exam is not a monster. It is a structured assessment that rewards clarity, consistency, and musical understanding. With the right guidance and a smart practice plan, you can achieve the result you want.
Whether you are in Beijing and prefer in-person lessons, or anywhere else in the world looking for high-quality online violin teaching, I invite you to explore what
Kun Violin offers. It is not about fancy certificates or empty promises. It is about a method that has been proven over 20 years to help students of all ages and levels—from beginners to those aiming for Grade 8 and beyond.
If you have questions about your current preparation—or if you just want to share your own frustrations—feel free to reach out. I answer every message personally, because I believe that every student deserves a teacher who truly cares about their progress.
Good luck with your ABRSM journey. And remember: the best time to improve your practice habits is today.
