Hi Guys,

I am going for my Grade 8 Piano exam at the end of this year. My pieces are coming on well and my sight reading is good - although I must admit; I've never really struggled with Sight Reading as I love it and do loads...

However, I am struggling with the Scales and Aural tests. The usual scales and thirds are fine but the ones in sixths are driving me crazy!!! I cannot get my head round the fingering; mainly in the left hand.

The A, B and D Aural tests are ok but I am struggling with the C tests - usually by the time my teacher gets to the end of the passage I have forgotten the key chord and the first part of the cadence.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I have tried all the books that I can find - especially on the Aural tests but I just don't seem to be getting any better!

Any help would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks,

Ant

For the scales in 6ths try 'ghosting' the 'missing' 3 notes in the LH before you begin.

For the aural it helps if you can be aware of the key throughout rather than try to remember the key chord in isolation. You need to listen to the whole thing really. Maybe start with shorter, simpler extracts.