Hi there. Im wondering if anyone has any possible resources/books etc I could reccommend/ buy myself for pupils who are getting to Grade 5 and struggling on the last section of the aural tests.
this is the bit where pupils have to listen to a short piece and comment on the form/style/period etc. Now I am well aware of the situation of music within schools these days and so am not suprised at their lack of knowledge......but when a pupil cant really identify a piece of classical/baroque etc then this area of the aurals prove difficult.

I am aware of one thing I can do and that is briefly discuss any knowledge I have of pieces they are playing etc and I have suggested listening to classical music briefly everyday to try and become familiar with different styles/era but there is very limited time in lessons.

Any suggestions please!! Very much appreciated!!

i have a sheet I could scan to you with the characteristics and descriptions of the periods. just click on the msn address and send me an email saying you want it (if you do)

It helped me loads

um it wont let me use that msn bit??!! what else can i do coz that would be great!!

Hi me too please!!

just add @hotmail.co.uk to the stuff in the msn box

Aural training in practice (grades 4 & 5) is quite good for that particular question.

If you use a practice book with your pupil, why not leave the last four pages in the book free for listing pieces of music and their characteristics. One page for Baroque, one for Classical, one for Romantic and the last one for Modern. As your pupil learns a piece, ask them to list it on the correct page and give its characteristics. You could add to this list with other pieces of music listened to at home or in the lesson. This builds up a really good general knowledge of the historical periods and puts the pieces they play themselves into context.

This method is best done over a period of time, rather than just a few weeks before an exam!

Also see my and others' replies at

http://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=6862