Aural Tests - Grades 1 to 8

Save 30% with this discounted bundle! The complete course for Grades 1 to 8 aural test training.

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Become an all-round expert in aural test skills.



When it comes to music exams, candidates often prepare themselves well for the playing but are less sure when it comes to the aural tests. There are several resources offering examples of tests but very few that teach the techniques needed for successful outcomes. This course covers the complete topic of aural test training, right from the very fundamentals all the way up to the application of advanced techniques. It features all the content you would be expected to know for the aural tests in exams, with detailed explanations of how to tackle each test and plenty of practice examples, walking you through each area step by step in a clear and informative manner. As well as being suitable for candidates preparing for ABRSM practical exams, aural skills are essential for any musician, and here is a progressive course in acquiring those skills.

Courses Included with Purchase




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Grade 1 Aural Tests

Starting with the very basics of aural, this course sets out much of the groundwork of essential aural knowledge with great clarity. It includes videos and practice exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


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  • Clapping the pulse of a piece of music
  • Identifying the time signature of a piece of music (2 or 3 time)
  • Echo singing a melody
  • Pitch change detection
  • Describing dynamics and articulation within a piece of music
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_2_aural_tests_course

Grade 2 Aural Tests

Building on the topics previously covered, this course introduces new areas of study. It includes videos and practice exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


Learn More Preview
  • Clapping the pulse of a piece of music
  • Identifying the time signature of a piece of music (2 or 3 time)
  • Echo singing a melody
  • Pitch and rhythm change detection
  • Describing tempo change within a piece of music
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_3_aural_tests_course

Grade 3 Aural Tests

Progressing introducing a number of key topics and reinforcing previous material covered. It includes videos and practice exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


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  • Clapping the pulse of a piece of music
  • Identifying the time signature of a piece of music (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Echo singing a melody
  • Pitch and rhythm change detection
  • Describing the tonality of a piece of music
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_4_aural_tests_course

Grade 4 Aural Tests

Moving through and looking at many of the nuances of aural training with simple explanations of new a variety of key subjects. It includes videos and practice exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


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  • Repetition of a phrase by singing it or playing it
  • Sight singing a series of pitched notes
  • Describing the character of a piece of music
  • Clapping back a rhythm
  • Identifying the time signature of a rhythm (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_5_aural_tests_course

Grade 5 Aural Tests

Rounding off the fundamentals and moving towards a more advanced level of aural training. It includes videos and practice exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


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  • Repetition of a phrase by singing it or playing it
  • Sight singing a series of pitched notes
  • Identifying the style and period of a piece of music
  • Clapping back a rhythm
  • Identifying the time signature of a rhythm (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_6_aural_tests_course

Grade 6 Aural Tests

Developing an advanced aural ability, a key part of a rounded education for performers, composers and listeners of all kinds. It includes videos and working exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


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  • Repeating the upper part of a two part passage by singing it or playing it
  • Sight sing a melody accompanied by the piano
  • Describing the structure and texture of a piece of music
  • Identify perfect and imperfect cadences
  • Clapping back a rhythm
  • Identifying the time signature of a rhythm (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_7_aural_tests_course

Grade 7 Aural Tests

Further development of advanced aural skills, a key part of a rounded education for performers, composers and listeners of all kinds. It includes videos and working exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


Learn More Preview
  • Repeating the lower part of a two part passage by singing it or playing it
  • Sight sing a melody in a two part context
  • Describing features of a piece of music, centred around dynamics, articulation, tempo change, tonality, musical character, style and period, form and texture
  • Identify perfect, imperfect and interrupted cadences and the chords associated with them
  • Identify modulations to the dominant, subdominant or relative keys
  • Clapping back a rhythm and identifying the time signature (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
grade_8_aural_tests_course

Grade 8 Aural Tests

Perfecting advanced aural skills, a key part of a rounded education for performers, composers and listeners of all kinds. It includes videos and working exercises covering all of the topics on the list.


Learn More Preview
  • Repeating the lowest part of a three part passage by singing it or playing it
  • Sight sing a melody in a two part context
  • Describing features of a piece of music, centred around dynamics, articulation, tempo change, tonality, musical character, style and period, form and texture
  • Identify perfect, plagal, imperfect and interrupted cadences and the chords associated with them
  • Identifying modulations to the dominant, subdominant or relative keys and the chords associated with them
  • Clapping back a rhythm and identifying the time signature (2, 3 or 4 time)
  • Strategic question answering
  • How to answer with confidence
 



I am going to have an entrance exam for the university soon, so I have preparing by watching quite a lot of your videos. Therefore, I don’t know that the result of the exam is going to turn out good or not, however, the most important thing is, I have already increased a pretty solid aural training skill. Thank you very much!

- Fey






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Who Is This Course For?



Don't let those aural tests intimidate you any longer. Enroll in our course today and embark on a journey to musical excellence. Whether you're a student or a parent looking to support your child's musical education, our course is your key to success. Our aural test courses cover all the essential elements of aural training from the ground up and are ideal for students preparing for examinations, as well as an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve and develop their aural skills.




Professional Teaching

You'll receive expert tuition on how to approach each section of the exam and you'll learn useful strategies for success.

Practice Exercises

The course contains a plenty of practice exercises for you to work through along with the initial teaching material.

Ask Questions

Below each video you are able to post comments and ask questions should you have any in regards to the course topics covered.              

Easy to Follow Structure

The course is divided into multiple stages, breaking down each part separately before putting it all together.

Complete at Your Own Pace

You can easily fit the course around your regular commitments, completing it at your own pace and in your own time.

Anywhere Access

Your course never expires. Learn when and where you choose! Computer or mobile. Just get comfortable and dive in!


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Your Instructor


Gareth Green
Gareth Green

Hi, I’m Gareth and I'm passionate about developing ‘the all round musician’.

Over 35 years of music examining with ABRSM, work with the BBC on Radio and TV, experience on the international concert platform, as a published composer and arranger, have brought rich resources to the 40 years of teaching in which I've engaged.

Scholarships at The Royal College of Music, Oxford University and St. Paul’s Cathedral gave me fantastic opportunities to learn from the best musicians, scholars and teachers. Working as Director of Music at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School then provided a wonderful opportunity to develop my teaching skills.

Teaching individuals and groups of all ages, and at all stages of development have refined a teaching approach that I hope is fun and engaging, and focused on explaining things clearly and logically. And that is what these courses are all about - understanding the basic principles with clarity, then going deeper, applying them to your musical life and liberating yourself as a musician.

It’s a rich and amazing journey, and I can’t wait for you to join me today!



Frequently Asked Questions


I'm taking a music exam, is this course for me?
Absolutely! This course is suitable for candidates preparing for ABRSM exams and covers everything you need to know for grades 1 to 8. It is also perfect for students studying at school, college or university, as well as anyone else who is interested in learning advanced aural skills.
When does the course start and finish?
It is a completely self-paced online course! Watch and replay lessons as you wish - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all of the devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We stand behind the academic quality of our online courses and are committed to ensuring that you are completely satisfied; that’s why we offer a 14 days money back guarantee. Simply send us an email explaining what you didn’t like about the course and why it wasn’t suitable for you and we’ll give you a full refund.
What payment methods do you accept?
Both credit and debit card payments are accepted. You can also pay with PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
I need help! Who can help me?
If you have a question related to this course, email [email protected]

A Letter from Gareth Green
MA (Oxon), MA (Leeds), FRCO(CHM), FLCM, ARCM

Many candidates dread the aural tests in exams because they feel they can’t do them. Many candidates spend much more time in lessons and in their own work at home focused on pieces and other parts of the exam than they do working at aural training. Many take the view that it is impossible to work on aural training and aural tests alone.

My experience as an examiner has often suggested that more time spent on aural development would have enhanced the outcome of that part of the exam and would also have had a positive impact on outcomes in the other sections of the exam.

Aural skills are essential for any musician so, whatever happens in exams, it is essential to develop the skills.

This course covers everything you need to do and you can work through it in your own time and in your own space. Enjoy!


— Gareth Green, Music Matters




Save money with this bundle!

This complete bundle set of our Grades 1 to 8 aural courses is offered to you with a massive overall saving of 30%.

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