In the second case, I ask them to sing back part of pieces they already know or scales they are playing gradually starting from singing consecutive notes up to 2nd and 3rd and the notes forming the relative triads. When it comes to singing, I had experience with students who seem to have a natural aptitude to reproduce with their voice what they just heard on the piano and another student who is singing everything flat. If it is in two time let`s say that the first clap is forte and the second one piano, if it is in three times the first clap is forte, second one and third one piano, if it is in four times the first and third clap are forte while the second and the fourth one are piano. Another recommendation is to clap louder and make sure to highlight the strong beat. For the beginning, most of the Aural test pieces have an accent on the strong beats. I sometimes say to my students that with a two time it is possible to march and it has a “square” feeling to it while in a piece in three times the feeling is more of a circle. Sometimes, I use famous nursery rhyme to get started. It is very important to start practising from the very beginning with a well-known piece and knowing already the time signature. The candidates need to recognise if the piece played by the examiner is in 2 or 3 times for ABRSM Grade 1 and ABRSM Grade 2 piano and also 4 times for ABRSM Grade 3. The ABRSM Aural Tests involves four parts: 1. The content of this article will focus on the initial requirements for the ABRSM Aural Test GRADE 1-3. My advice is not to be fooled by the fact that the Aural test might sound simple for the early Grades but I strongly recommend to keep on practicing it as this creates a good foundation for the hardest Grades and don`t leave it to the last minute. I am aware that it might be very difficult for a piano teacher to fit Pieces, Scales and Arpeggios, Sight reading and Aural Test in a lesson but I try to save more time for Aural Test a couple of month before the Test for every grade. One of the tasks is to vocally reproduce a short melody played by the examiner on the piano or for higher grades, like Grade 5 Aural tests and so on, sight singing and reproducing the bass or soprano line of a short piece of music.

Some of them find very easy learning pieces and also preparing their technical works such as Scales and Arpeggios but they find the ABRSM aural tests for Grade 4 and beyond very difficult, particularly when it comes to singing. Make sure you check out the preview screenshots in the App Store to see how the app will look on your device.During my teaching experience, I come across a number of students who were preparing higher Grades, like ABRSM Grade 4 aural tests and from 6-8 too who were experiencing difficulties, especially in the Aural part of the exam. This app is best viewed on an iPad, but there is still a lot you can learn and enjoy if you’re using the app on a smaller phone. Hey, phone users! Music notation is complex and phone screens are small. That’s why we believe in the importance of music theory. Strong foundations in musical knowledge and understanding are essential for developing well-rounded and confident musicians. Watch your music theory knowledge build up in these fun and addictive challenges and become a music theory expert!

Every time you complete a round, you unlock the next level. Start by learning the basics then test yourself and see if you can get a perfect score. ABRSM Music Theory Trainer contains over 6,000 specially-written questions designed to test and challenge your music theory knowledge.

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