ABRSM Aural - features of a piece, Help with resources please! Options

[alij]

Hi,

Does anyone know any good resources to help with question D (features iof a pieces) in the abrsm aural tests?

I have a pupil who has just come to me to prepare for grade 7 aural. We've hit a stumbling block in the form of very little general musical knowledge. Grades have been missed out and it appears there wasn't much info on how to tackle the features given for the last exam taken.

Anyone know of any good websites, cds, or a good round up of info aimed at this part of the aural? Web pages would be particularly good for some independent learning.

I know there are several different series of aural books out there, but I'm not sure if any of them do a good, concise over-view of the info needed rather than just walking you through the test.....

[Belinda]

Son used this

http://www.editionpeters.com/detail.php?br...tegory=CAT00251

Only HE USED THE GRADE 8 ONE. He never did grade 7 in anything!!! For grade 8 the examiner told him to she up because he had too much too say!! Very politely of course. My son learned off the list of things that were important and just kept on talking. Grade 6 one good too. So I imagine grade 7 is great as well! Grade 8 one was brilliant!

Be aware that bits of the aural tests have changed slightly, so this might not be perfectly up to date for bits A, B and C

[flobiano]

The pupils book of Aural Time also has a very good summary of key features and things to look for. This was, by far, the most useful resource I found.

Pupil's book

(note that the notes are only in the pupil's book which is bought separately to the main practice test books)

[Bagpuss]

I'd start by listening to key features of tunes the pupe already knows. Worth a punt as a starting point.

Bx

[alij]

Thanks for replies - these will help my pupil who wants to do some independent learning to complement what we're doing in the lessons.

This prep for the aural is a bit of a rush job (I'm only doing aural and the exam is on her main instrument, not piano), but usually I would use their pieces or general repertoire to gradually build up knowledge.

I've not seen the survival guides before, but well worth checking out!

[Arundodonuts]

I'll have a look at those. I need all the help I can get. I'm also working through the ABRSM Specimen Aural Tests (Grade 7) which has plenty of examples of how the tests sound (on CD) which is good. There are answers in the back which include some useful things to think about when describing a piece, determining style and period, etc.

Much to my horror I'm currently finding cadences tricky and modulations impossible.

[Maizie]

Much to my horror I'm currently finding cadences tricky and modulations impossible.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Though I'm doing TG aural G7 - I'm lucky enough to know the piece will be minor, and when it modulates it can go to the relative major, dominant of the relative major, or the subdominant minor. And I was all worried about how to spot a subdominant minor when my teacher pointed out it's obvious as it's the only one that stays minor (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So in theory I only have to pick between two modulations, but it's probably going to be a stab in the dark to be honest.
And cadences are OK, I get thehang of it, I'm doing well, and then it turns out it was just a lucky streak...