Do any teachers or singing pupils out there have choices of songs for various grades that have really worked well. I always try to give the pupil a choice but direct them towards songs that suit their voice...or even personality. I also wonder whether some are preferred by examiners....as some songs always seem to get good marks. Song of the Boats and Song of the Birds always do well(Grade 1). I feel pretty My Heart(Grade 4)Mallow Fling Cockles and Mussels Coconut Man (Grade 2).
Generally just interested to see what others think
(I put this in the wrong place so have posted it twice...I am new to this).

There seem to be a lot of fiestas in a "Little Spanish Town" for Grade 2, and both of my Grade 1s last year who did Home on the Range went down well.

I really want to do some of the RRB "Insect World" songs with my little'uns.

I must look at Cloths of Heaven...don't know that. I haven't used Spanish Town but also thought it was tricky for Grade 2. I played it through for one boy and he hated it. He did the Crocodile really well for his first grade and I wanted something with a bit of character for him. Thanks for your comments.

DOn't know whether its still on the syllabus But i Did RRB's Clock a clay for grade 3. I still love it now!

Think it's Grade 4... don't know it well. Have done Bird's Lament...is that RRB...think so

Have you tried Bessie the Black Cat for grade 2? A lot of my students sang this with their last teacher and enjoyed it as it had a bit of character to it. I love the Crocodile, I really like what Peter Jenkyns does generally!

What about The Frog by Nina Perry? That's fun and full of characterisation. It's on list B. Or Alec Rowley's The Kangaroo on list C.

Yes...the Frog is great... the little boy in question is working on that... I only came across it recently and have two doing it ....but I was stuck with him for the C section. I'll have to try a few again with him....and not give him too many choices.I might get him to learn a couple and then let him choose. Will have a look at Bessie and Kangaroo again. He's doing Oak and Ash and The Frog...does anyone know anything about Dorset Pedlar?

DP is nice, but there's a lot to it, to do it properly (too much for grade 2, in my opinion), and I find it's more popular with the adults than the children.

Thanks... in that case....I'm going to try Poca Papa Pizza..... although I find it tricky to accompany, and Spanish Town.... and see what happens. I think he might have tuning problems with the Kangaroo.

Little boy in question is working on :
Oak and Ash
The Frog
Poco Papa Pizza

and all suiting him well....thanks

both my grade 2's are doing TG

I have one doing
Tomorrow
Bobby Shaftoe
Little Spanish Town

and the other doing
I've got no strings
Westering Home
Little Spanish Town


If the 2nd one was doing AB he'd do Morning has Broken instead of I've got not strings and Go Down Moses
as unaccompanied song.

There is overlap between both syllabi, I just find the TG repertoire choice more inspiring for younger students.

Yes I've thought that when I've looked at the syllabus.... G2 AND 3 ABRSM seem particularly uninspiring ...maybe its just me.... partic the B section.... and hardly any "show " songs...I've used Morning has broken a lot..... but I've only used TG for Grade 6 so far...

That's why I've largely swapped. I look at both syllabi and enter the right candidate for the right exam. Adults normally prefer AB, and although my son is doing TG Grade 2, he did take AB grade 1.

Also he's better at improvisation than sight reading so the supporting tests go for his strengths.

I look at both syllabi and enter the right candidate for the right exam.
[/quote] sorry got the quote thing wrong and can't change it.


I have looked and thought about it in the past...because of the songs.... the aurals are slightly different aren't they?....and you don't have to do all songs from memory. I have a couple of pupils who really,really find that hard....and when they have to do it in a different language from G6.My first Trinity did G6 as she didn't have the theory.She now has the theory but is working for G7 TG because she prefers it.