I'm going to be doing my grade 8 piano exam soon, and I am still having trouble with my aural-especially the cadences.

Has anyone any tips on what to listen for, or for any other aspects of aural?

This is easy, there is only 4 types of cadences you need to be aware of, 5-1(perfect), 4-1(plagal), 1-5(imperfect) or 5-to anything other than 1 (interupted). Listen to the radio, does'nt matter whether it is pop music or classical, Nirvana to Beethoven. Listen listen listen analytically. What chords does the artist use to end their piece? Do you know what a chord is? Do you understand diatonic chord progressions? (MmmMMmm) Do you have a friend who can play some chords on piano or guitar? This will help you, once you get use to identifying certain chordal sounds it becomes easier. R&R typically uses 1451 or 1645. Just identify cadences with what you know and understand, its not rocket science.

Dear Louisa,

During the first Aural Test you have to listen to and sing back the lowest part of a 3-part passage. When you hear the cadence, focus on the bass notes and try to hear which notes of the scale they are. With a bit of practice, this should work quite well until you get used to the 'flavour' of the chords that make up the four cadences.

Good luck!

Dear Louisa,

Some advice about the cadences: in the first test you have to listen to the bass line and sing it back. When you listen to the cadence, try to hear which notes in the scale are in the bass and then you will be able to decide which cadence it is.

After a while you might start to hear the harmonic 'flavour' of each type of cadence and will (hopefully!) feel more confident about it.

Ask your teacher to practise some tests at every lesson to get into the routine.

All the best,

Pagsoper

Thanks for your help everyone!

My exam was OK, could have been better though. Fingers crossed!