calling all vocal teachers or any other teacher who can help!, urgent answers needed!!! please!!! Options

[chraze1]

Hi guys,

Please advise if you can and I apologise if this is a stupid question!
I have been approached by a parent of a girl who is doing music exams in 4th yr, (she is a friend of one of my pupils!) and she is struggling generally with performance terms and directions, and doesn't fully understand things like a broken chord. Her instrument is her voice, she doesn't play, although has a little knowledge of keyboard through school. Now, i have explained to the mum that I am a piano teacher and definately not a vocal teacher, but after hearing the girls plight, I feel i could maybe help with things like aurals and theory, which she believes is what she needs. I only have grade 5 theory (distinction) and I'm not even sure what level she's at yet, but I need to know if all theory regardless of the instrument is the same to a certain point? In the music theory in practise books it covers everything and I'm not sure if she'll need all that?, (like left hand notes etc?) can anyone advise if there are other theory books I could recommend please as I'm due to see her tonight and I'd rather be able to say I am or am not the right person for her and be able to point her in the right direction !. Phew! thanks in advance!

[Alison]

It would be helpful to know what exams she is doing (and what country you are in?)

[sbhoa]

Yes, theory is theory.
Having said that unless she is especially keen and/or wanting to do theory exams some things will have little immediate relevance to her. She may well have a little working knowledge of treble clef. Bass clef can be useful as a singer because it's useful to be able to know something about what's going on in the piano accompaniment as it it with any accompanied instrument. you could use the theory workbooks as reference points but mostly just use manuscript paper and pencil to cover the more immediately useful topics.

[jod]

I am a first study singer, however theory is theory.

I would teach theory in a room with a table and a piano.

I would use the Eric Taylor Theory Books and start at the very beginning.

Depending how fast a learner this pupil is would depend on how fast the pupil progresses.

The AB pink and blue books are my recommended reference books up until grade 5.


For Trinity Guildhall Exams and LCM Musical Theatre Exams (amongst others) Grade 5 theory is not prequisite to access higher grades)

It is possible to do a fast-track course, however having just taught one, some other instrumental experience (preferably the piano) is almost vital, as is determination and hard work.

[chraze1]

It would be helpful to know what exams she is doing (and what country you are in?)

Hi thanks,

We're in Scotland and she's sitting intermediate 2 at school, I am totally in the dark as to what that is! I've asked that she brings all her material with her in order I can guage her level. She's unaware of TG or AB exam processes.

[Dugazon]

Hi chraze1,

Are you aware that you can get past papers on the SQA's website? Should give you a few ideas as to what is required (at least in the listening test, because that's only a part of it):

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/40676.html

If you need more info, drop me a line, it's a bit complicated in the Scottish world, but Intermediate 2 usually hovers roundabout grade 3.

[chraze1]

Hi chraze1,

Are you aware that you can get past papers on the SQA's website? Should give you a few ideas as to what is required (at least in the listening test, because that's only a part of it):

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/40676.html

If you need more info, drop me a line, it's a bit complicated in the Scottish world, but Intermediate 2 usually hovers roundabout grade 3.

Oh fab thanks very much!, I'll certainly have a look later tonight, she's due in the next half hour so I should hopefully have an idea of where to go with this!!
Thanks to everyone for all comments so far!, I was in a bit of a panic earlier!!!