Hello!

I have been asked to help a grade 5 violinist with his aural tests. Apparently his voice is breaking (quite an awkward point in the process too I believe). I wonder if playing the answers might be better for him.

Just wondering; if he were to play things back instead of singing them, would the examiner give him the key and the starting note? (As in I'm playing in Gmajor and your first note is a B).

Thanks.

I think so --- the guidance notes say that

'the key-chord and starting notes will first be sounded and named' ...

Even with a breaking voice, I would have thought you could find a comfortable range of 4 - 5 notes that will be quite adequate for the singing back tests. I have on occasion sent my candidates into the exam with a note to the examiner asking for tests to be within a particular range - I have had one or two students who found pitching notes extremely difficult, but were reasonably comfortable a few notes either side of middle C. The examiners have been perfectly pleasant and accommodating, and no comments made.

you can hum too - less susceptible to cracking!

Thanks for the replies! I don't actually teach the boy regularly but have taught his sisters. His mum said his very is pretty bad, my thoughts of his playing were more to save his blushes than anything else!

I will see how we get on.

Thanks!