Learning
The New ABRSM Syllabus is Here!
A long awaited update, but is the new ABRSM syllabus as good as anticipated? It’s a mixed bag.
General
Finding Traditional Songs
I’ll be honest. I don’t like trying to find traditional songs! Ever since I read the ABRSM advice and heard about the poor examiner who had ten renditions of ‘Ten Green Bottles’ on one day, I am super keen to find something different or unusual for my students to sing. Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams Series – Putting It All Together
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing/ In this series, we’ve talked about choosing repertoire, and we’ve looked at how to prepare the repertoire, and we’ve covered the supporting tests. Read more…
Teaching
The Mythical Grade 8
Grade 8 is the highest available graded instrumental exam. For parents and students alike, it can seem like a glowing light in the distance – a magical target that once achieved will bestow the mythical status of ‘musician’ on anyone who can reach it. Here are 8 myths about reaching Grade 8: Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams – Supporting Tests: Aural Tests
NB. The Information about the content of the aural tests is not in the singing syllabus, but instead can be found here: Aural tests are very easy to neglect. They are a small portion of the exam marks, and only take a few minutes at the end of the exam. Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams – Supporting Tests: Sight-Reading
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here Sight Singing. Two words that strike fear into the hearts of music students everywhere! I used to be really scared of this part of Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams – Preparing for Performance
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing/ The process of learning songs for performance is the subject of hundreds of books, blog posts, websites and conversations among singers. Obviously, this Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams Series – Choosing Repertoire 3: Unaccompanied Traditonal Song
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing/ Many years ago (I’m not sure how many) the ABRSM syllabus used to have scales and exercises for singers, just as they do Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams Series – Choosing Repertoire 2: The Lists
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing/ ABRSM did a wise thing when they invented the lists. It might initially seem restrictive to have to pick from a list, but Read more…
ABRSM Exams
ABRSM Exams Series – Choosing Repertoire 1: Know Your Voice
NB: While reading this series, it can be helpful to keep a copy of the ABRSM Singing syllabus to hand. The syllabus can be downloaded here http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/singing/ Facing the list of song choices for an ABRSM singing exam can be daunting. For most other instruments there are between 6 and Read more…