Hello,

Does anyone have any tips on how I can improve my aural skills? The tests seem to have changed since I last did them ten years ago and I was never any good then, either. It's nice my teacher thinks I should do grade 8 piano, but she hasn't heard me do any aural yet and she's in for a shock! I bought the Associated Board CDs and books to use on my own and I'm starting right back from grade 1 and I think this is probably my level. I can sing in tune, but the thought of singing the left hand part of a tune or doing sight-singing, for grade 8, fills me with dread. I just can't do it. Will I ever be able to do it, I ask myself?

Also, don't you have to sing intervals anymore?

I'd be greatful for any tips.

Jeanne

One of my grade 8 pupils was never much good, no matter how much I tried to train her, so in desperation I suggested she take some singing lessons for a while. She found a very good singing teacher and has now improved immeasurably.

Otherwise its just practice, practice and more practice (with and without your piano teacher).

Best of luck.

I'm working on grade 8 aurals. Which parts are you worrying about? What helps to me to hear the chord progressions part is to have someone play (or do it yourself) typical progressions (like I IV V I or whatever) over and over (I've got a very patient teacher, thankfully ) until you've got them in your head. Listening to whether it sounds finished, unfinished etc. is also good. Have you looked at the requirements yet? Have you got any specific questions?

You have to sing the bottom part of a simple tune at sight, while the examiner accompanies you. There's no proper technique I've found that helps, except practising practising and singing in a choir!
Good luck.

Thank you for your replies. I think I am not even going to look at grade 8 aural yet. I will carry on working my way up from the grade 1 Associated Board practice tests. I don't think aural comes naturally to me, but I think in the past it was just left to the last few weeks before an exam and suddenly grade 8 was upon me and I realised I had no real understanding or idea of what I was doing in the aural part. However, I am sure I will improve with practice.

You have both confirmed what I was thinking anyway - that perhaps singing lessons or singing in a choir would help. The problem is that I work full time and I don't know if I could fit in yet more lessons. On the other hand I think I know it would be good for me, because I am always too shy to sing on my own anyway, (except to my little class of Reception children!) and it might give me confidence. If my piano teacher doesn't want me to start aural classes yet, then I might well look into the singing!! It's something I never ever considered till now.


Jeanne

Good luck with whatever you decide!

An adult student of mine took grade 8 recently.

She played herself the AB cd's over and again in the car. I had given her all the answers to chord progressions etc, so she gradually became able to recognise them in the context of different pieces and in different keys.

Sometimes such blanket exposure can work.

Steve

Thank you for everyone's tips!

Hi Jeanne

I like using this - especially for intervals & progressions - and it's free!

Jen

Thank you,
This looks like a good site.
Jeanne