Hi,

I wasn't entirely sure where to post this, but it seems like a general music thing...

I'm a woodwind teacher at an international school, and the way the kids learn instruments is the 'American' way, ie, Music isn't a desk subject, in fourth grade, they pick an instrument and learn through playing in a band rather from private lessons, though most of them do have private lessons. Anyway, they refer to rhythms using American terms, Whole note, quarter note etc...

Question,
I have a girl wanting to do grade one flute, in the Aural test, will she be allowed to refer to the rhythms using the american terms, or should I be getting her used to saying crotchet/ quaver etc??

Thanks!

If she's doing an AB exam, I'm not sure why she would need to refer to rhythm names in the aural tests at Grade 1.

Don't worry, this isn't needed for aural. Is it AB? Do check out the current syllabus, the requirements changed a couple of years ago to make it 'feel' more relevant. The new specimen aural tests grade 1-3 book should help too.

Yes, AB. I have the Aural training in practice books which I have used for the last six years. There is a section for grade one Aural where she is required to notice rhythmic differences between two playings of a short phrase.


EDIT: Ahh, I see what you mean, just checked the website, so the rhythm bit has now changed... Hmmm, been a while since I had anyone do grade 1! Hope this means I dont have to repurchase all my aural books...

Good to see you posting again

The grade 1 aural tests have changed a little recently... this is the current syllabus : pitch rather than rhythmic changes are the order of the day now

If she was to use time names to describe a rhythmic change (I think it's still in at grade 2?) I'm sure that American time names will be ok. They are acceptable on theory papers.
If you email or phone they are helpful with this sort of thing and can reassure you with the official answer.

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to buy the new books. Just reading the syllabus gives enough information. The books give the wording the examiner uses but you can get by without that.

There are slight changes to aural test requirements from 2011. At grade 1 it's enough to say the change was at the beginning or the end. In subsequent grades, 'the 3rd note was higher/lower, came sooner' etc is enough. They aren't expected to identify time names. In theory papers requiring candidates to identify the time name of notes, AB give both crotchet/quarter note as an example, so this would be acceptable.

Where you have to more precise, most of mine just clap or sing the difference.

It's easy . . .

And I haven't bought any of the new aural books - the site explains it pretty well, with audio examples and everything you need.