Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Unflip

1 2

Original poster

Aural tests in child who cannot sing.

38 replies

Didiplanthis · 03/02/2018 20:39

Any tips for helping ? Dd is doing grade 1 and really really really cannot pitch her voice at all. Can hear pitch ok as plays violin mostly in tune. But cannot sing back a note let along a phrase. I am trying to help but just starting with single notes then 2 notes. Will happily do this every day with her but what else can I do ? We listen to lots of music. I was rubbish at aural but could at least sing in tune!

OP posts:

Whowhatwhy · 04/02/2018 09:35

Vocal ability can absolutely develop. Most people's natural singing voice sits in the register of their natural speaking voice because that's the part of their voice that is most exercised. Just like an athlete, it's absolutely possible to get the rest of the voice going too. A few singing lessons would help if he was willing?

mammmamia · 04/02/2018 09:26

Yes whowhatwhy you've nailed it. I think for my DS it's his vocal ability. His ear is fine. Can vocal ability develop? He really wants to be able to sing and he hasn't realised yet that he can't

mammmamia · 04/02/2018 09:24

Thank you for posting this as my DS has same problem and I wouldn't have known how to articulate it.
He's 8 and preparing for grade 1 piano and also plays trumpet. He has a good grasp of notes, rhythm, phrasing, dynamics. But he doesn't seem to have any pitch. When he sings he's completely out of tune. Is it possible for him to succeed at music with this or will it develop later...?

Whowhatwhy · 04/02/2018 09:18

Absolutely noteven. You can def do that OP but try first and see how she goes. If she plays violin she must be able to hear pitches. The issue is much more likely to be her vocal ability than her ear.

Noteventhebestdrummer · 04/02/2018 08:32

I've told examiners the possible vocal range for candidates who find singing tricky so they will use this, they always oblige. Not that I'm listening from the hall, of course.

Whowhatwhy · 04/02/2018 08:28

Is she better at pitching if it's lower? Sometimes people without vocal training can't sing in certain ranges. Try doing an exercise with her but stick to low pitched notes (mid C and lower) . See how she goes.

ShackUp · 04/02/2018 08:23

broken the singing bit of the aural tests is worth 4/18 marks.

OP how old is DD?

Broken11Girl · 04/02/2018 05:29

I sympathise with her, can't sing either.
It's worth 18 marks, not 4 You do get 6 for having a go, less than 6 doesn't exist, you would only get 0 for refusing it.The other bits of aural which don't involve singing - clapping back a rhythm etc - are included in the mark.
You can still opt to play it back - might be an option? She will still have to sing in middle and upper grades though if she continues.
There are loads of apps and YouTube example videos, also ABRSM do example aural test books with CD, worth getting.
Maybe consider singing lessons?

Ilovewheelychairs · 04/02/2018 04:05

Or hum/whistle it. Many children have more control over humming than singing.

Witchend · 04/02/2018 04:03

You used to be able to play it back rather than sing it back-dh used to do that. She could ask if that is an option.

Wafflenose · 03/02/2018 22:18

Yes, it will just come in time. Many 8 year olds don't have the vocal 'equipment' to be precise enough yet.

Original poster

Didiplanthis · 03/02/2018 22:17

Thank you. That's reassuring. To be fair I failed grade 7 aural and still got a distinction. She's just 8 - is there a chance this something that might still develop with time ? She quite enjoys the aural 'games' so maybe we can just make it a bit of fun .

OP posts:

Wafflenose · 03/02/2018 22:08

If it's ABRSM, that section of the exam is worth about 4 marks out of 150. She will get 1 mark for having a go, and 2 for the correct rhythm - perhaps even more if the shape of the melody is correct. Depending on her age, you might just have to wait for that skill to develop (rather than trying to work on it), but for the sake of 2-3 marks my advice as a teacher would be please, please don't worry.

Unflip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread