Editing Music lesson (section)

== Examinations ==
{{one source section|date=December 2023}}
A popular measure of progress, especially for children, is external assessment of the progress of the pupil by a regular [[music examination|examination]].  A number of exam boards assess pupils on music theory or practice.  These are available for almost every musical instrument. A common method to mark progress is graded examinations—for example from grade 1 (beginner) to grade 8 (ready to enter higher study at music school).<ref>[http://www.musiceducationmadness.org/lesson_plans-shtml/ Lesson Plans]</ref> Some teachers prefer other methods of target-setting for their pupils.  The most common is the pupil's concert, which gives experience in playing in public and under a certain degree of pressure, without outright criticism or a more or less arbitrary marking system.  Another is the graded system of books followed by teachers of the [[Suzuki method]], in which the completion of each book is celebrated, without a system of marking or ranking of pupils.