I'm entering my very first pupils for their grade 1 exams this term. However, I am struggling with explaining the basic aural tests. Anyone got any advice, especially for the recognising rhythmic change part?
Sarah x

Hi Sarah,

I recently entered my first pupil for grade 1 piano last term. The part that she stuggled with most was the rhythmic change. We first worked at noticing where the change occured before attempting to describe it. The syllabus says it is fine for the candidate to raise their hand when they hear the change. They can use phrases like, 'the first note was longer' - see 'These Music Exams' for more details.

Other tests were not so difficult so we just worked through plenty of examples to get used to the types of questions asked. She came out with full marks for aural in the exam! Good luck with your pupils - are they for piano? - what pieces are they playing?

Sarah,

I'd also recommend that you take a look at "These Music Exams" written by our Chief Examiner, Clara Taylor. It has some very helpful sections on the aural tests and how to help candidates prepare.

There's a pdf version on the website here - http://www.abrsm.org/resources/TMERevised05.pdf

If you want a hard copy of this booklet, please email me or send me a private message with the address you'd like it sent to and I'll be delighted to pop one in the post.

Best wishes

Christine Morris
Forums Administration

I describe the recognising rythm change aural test as a listening "spot the difference" game. Maost hcildren have done a visual "spot the difference" game in quiz books (where two pictures look identical, but there a subtle differences) and so I explain that this test is a listening "spot the difference" game for longer or shorter notes either at the beginning, middle or end of the peice. This usually gives the pupil some idea what they're aiming for!!