Something that has puzzled me for some time now is whether singing exams arejudged on talent or technique. Unlike many other instruments singing is very dependant on talent. I realise that in other instruments there are differences as well (a great pianist has something extra on a good pianist) however in singing there are some people that are given the gift of having a nice natural voice whereas others aren't. Therefore in singing exams is the examiner looking at the general quality of sound etc produced by a singer or are they looking at whether technically what the singer is doing is correct?

xoxoxoxoxox

Just for fun I coached my 11 year old son for Grade 5 singing.

He sings well - with impeccable tuning, very musical phrasing and interpretation, excellent diction.

BUT he doesn't have a fabulous "solo" voice, just a nice voice.

He got a distinction, including an amazing 21/21 for sight singing!

Examiners are 'generalists' not required to be experts at playing all instruments. That means they mark the musical attempts rather than the technique backing them.

Of course, the best marks are achieved by those whose strong technique backs up their musicality.

Steve



That is brilliant. You must have been so pleased

Steve

Oh we were pleased!

He isn't entirely untaught though, sings with a very good boys choir here in Manchester and has fab tuition there. And his general musical knowledge is pretty good - goodness knows what he said in the aural tests but the comment at the bottom read "An exceptionally intelligent and musically aware candidate" !!

Whatever that means.