Im really worried about my grade 8 aural - I can do some questions but most - like - name the chord progressions at the end of the cadence - I cant even remember the choices they give you - Its hopeless - I think my pieces will be fine - but as for sight reDING AND SINGING BACK THE TUNE - Forget it, NO Hope - Ive evn brought the CD but I just seem to have the memory of a goldfish - If you give me the piece 4 times - I can do it but twice? NO WAY!!!

The worst thing is my sisters just done hers and got a DISTINCTION so Ill feel rubbish if I only pass

Anyone else find the aural stuff really hard?

lots of people find the aurals quite hard, myself included . Is there anyway for you to practice with your teacher?

And don't compare yourself to your sister!!

Firstly, how far is your G8 exam?
If its more than a month away cheer up.Then I suggest you spend at least 40 mins everyday with the Aurals till the exam. If you find trouble with a particular question, first read up all about the question in the 'Aural Training in Practice' book then work with the CD which is a gem.
If you feel you're not up to standard start off with the G6 tests. Build your confidence. Work your way up to scratch.
Yes, the chord progressions are tough. Always try and listen to how far it is from the tonic. ALWAYS keep the key chord in mind. Even gold fishes can do that.

Try memorising simple short tunes at first. You can ask your sister to play some tunes for you and you can sing back.

Well thats about it from me. I hope I helped some how. I was lousy at Aurals too then some kind folk here gave me all sorts of advice and I managed to get 15/18 in my Aurals.

Best of luck.
Rupayan.

QUOTE (Rupayan @ Nov 29 2004, 04:45 PM)

ALWAYS keep the key chord in mind. Even gold fishes can do that.

You sure about that?

Aurals are a bit of a mystery to me too - I tend to guess, and sometimes I'm right ...and sometimes I'm wrong! (And I don't always see why I'm right or wrong!)

I'm also doing Grade 8 (in April, I hope). Recently I think I have been getting a bit better at identifying the chords - I listen really carefully to what the bass is doing - like if the bass has moved up three, but it still sounds pretty much like a tonic chord, then its a 1b. Try to break it down into really small steps.

I do sympathise...I still feel that my marks in the Aural are a bit of a lottery over which I have very little control!

QUOTE (Subatomic_Star @ Nov 30 2004, 01:50 PM)

QUOTE (Rupayan @ Nov 29 2004, 04:45 PM) ALWAYS keep the key chord in mind. Even gold fishes can do that. You sure about that?

Perhaps the AB has an o-fishal line on this?

Have you thought of analysing a few pieces, noting the chords beneath and listen carefully? A few hymn tunes might be worth trying. You just get used to the sound. It's a question of listening to the bass (for the inversion) and otherwise the sound of the chord. No magic bullet.

R