ABRSM aural exam help and information for all instruments.

Test yourself on exam questions, and look for the answers beneath each section/bottom of the page.

Aural section A - (grade 3)

'To tap the pulse of a passage of music in 2 (6/8) or 3 time (9/8) or 4 time for grade three, played by the examiner. The examiner will commence playing the passage, and the candidate will be expected to join in as soon as possible by tapping the beat, stressing where the strong beat falls. The candidate will then be asked to state the time.'

2 time (2/4 and 6/8 time)

Remember that melodies in 2 time will sound like a march. 

3 time (3/4 and 9/8)

Remember that 3 time will sound like a dance.

4 time (4/4)

Remember that 4 time should sound like a song.

Aural section B. (grade 3)

'To sing, as an echo, three short phrases limited to a range of three notes in a major key played by the examiner. The echoes should follow each phrase in strict time without an intervening pause. The key-chord and tonic will first be sounded and the pulse indicated.'





You have to be in time with the music. You are being tested on your timing and that you hear when the melody goes up and down in pitch. Don't worry they are not marking on quality of voice. Just make sure you are progecting yourself loud and clear.

Aural section C. (grade 3)

'To recognise a rhythmic or melodic change to a four-bar phrase played twice by the examiner, with the change being made in the second playing. Candidates will be required to recognise and tap or describe the change. The pulse will first be indicated. The examiner will be prepared to play both versions of the phrase a second time if necessary.'


Dialogue;
Rhythmic change (grade 3)

"There was a rhythmic change..."
"In the second time..."
"At the beg/mid/end..."
"The music changed from...
...a straight rhythm/dotted rhythm...to a...dotted rhythm/straight rhythm...
                                               OR
...a longer/shorter note...to a...shorter/longer note..."
"For example..." 
THEN CLAP THE PART OF THE RHYTHM THAT HAS CHANGED 
(First time CLAP CLAP and second time CLAP CLAP).



Dialogue;
Melodic change (grade 3)

"There was a melodic change..."
"In the second time..."
"At the beg/mid/end..."
"The music changed from...
...a higher note/lower note...to a...lower note/higher note..."
"For example..."
THEN SING THE PART OF THE MELODY THAT HAS CHANGED 
(First time dee dee dee and second time dii dii dii).

Aural section D (grade 3)

'To identify certain features of a piece played by the examiner. The features for grade one will be confined to contrasted dynamics (piano/forte), gradation of tone (crescendo/diminuendo) and articulation (staccato/legato), for grade two you will also have to recognise tempo changes (rallentando/accelerando), and for grade three recognition of major and minor tonality of which the examiner will select one or two and advise the candidate accordingly before playing the piece. Questions on the selected features will then follow. Candidates will be expected to use Italian terms in their answers where appropriate.'

Piano-quiet
Forte-loud
Crescendo-gradually getting louder
Diminuendo-gradually getting quieter
Staccato-short and detached
Legato-smoothly
Rallentando-gradually getting slower
Accelerando-gradually getting quicker
Allegro-quick
Andante-medium walking speed
Adagio-slow
Major-happy
Minor-sad

Piano and keyboard lessons available in and around South East London and North West Kent, including; Bexleyheath, Blackheath,  Bromley, Chislehurst, Dartford, Elthan, Erith, Farningham, Orpington, Sidcup, Welling.