Hello,
I'm a piano student and I shall be appearing for the Grade 8 examination in two months time. I am a bit confused about the "Listening with understanding" part of the Aural Tests.
I'm not really sure what the examiner will be asking. I have checked the Aural Training in Practice book but the questions are specific to the given examples. What will the examiner be testing me on?
Please help.
Rupayan.

Have you done grade 7 or any of the other grades before it? If so it's similar to the same question on those grades; just with greater depth.

I haven't given grade 6 or 7.
I can manage the other aural tests but its just this listening with understanding.

As far as I can gather, the listening with understanding section is meant to be a discussion with the examiner about a piece he/she plays. This is as opposed to straight question and answers in earlier grades. Reading the guidelines in Aurel Training in Practice for G6, 7 and 8 should give you an idea of what is expected.

I've loathed that question right from the simplest form of it at grade 1!

When I did my grade 8 aural I was able to tell the examiner the exact composer of the music!!! However, the only way I was able to this is through lots and lots of carefull listening.

When ever you hear any type of music you should be trying to identify period, why it is in that period and not others, structure, texture and the contrasting textures of period styles, harmony etc...

I tell my own students there is only so much help I can give them with their aural. I can advise and direct them to certain types of music but you are the only person who can do the listening out side of the lesson.

I like my students to come lessons telling me what they have listened to and to ask me questions about all of the issues associated with it.

When it comes to aural the teacher can only be responcible for so much. Use your ears!!!