"Here is a score and I would like you to sing the lower part. I will play the upper part. Take a ,moment to look through the music. Here is the key chord, your starting note and here is the pulse."
About the test: The examiner is assessing your "inner ear". This is what helps you to hear sounds in your head before you play any music. Don't start until the examiner counts you in and try and use the upper part to help you keep time. Rhythm is super important so make sure even if you are not confident on pitch, that your rhythm is correct. Easy marks!
The test is a short phrase in two parts. You will sing the lower part while the examiner plays the upper on the piano. The music will be in a major or minor key and can have up to 4 accidentals. The starting and finishing note may not be the tonic. But! It will be either the tonic, third or fifth note of the key chord. The examiner will play the key chord and the starting note and give you the pulse. The length of time given to look through the test is the same time it takes to sing the music so it is important to practice sight singing so you feel confident going into the exam. Don't worry if your first attempt is not fantastic. You may be offered another go if needed.
Example test:
Preparing for the exam
Step 1
With your instrument, choose a scale that you find comfortable to sing and practice singing the solfege scale. Do, Re, Me, Fa, Sol, La, Si, Do. This will really help you with any major piece (and also with some minor key leaps) singing. Make sure you sing ascending and descending.
Step 2
Practice singing jumps. Below are some jump examples. Play the first note and see if you can try and sing the second. You are allowed to sing the scale steps if you need to, but after a practice see if you can sing the jump straight away. Play the notes on your harp to check your answers and your progress. Try and sing these jumps using solfege.
If solfege really isn't helping or you would like more ways to practice. Here are some other ways you can practice singing jumps: By associating different intervals with well-known tunes it can make it easier to sing without having to count out the steps.
minor 2nd All through the night
Major 2nd Frere Jacques
minor third Daisy, Daisy
Major Third, Swing low
Perfect 4th Here comes the bride
Perfect 5th Twinkle Twinkle
minor 6th The entertainer
Major 6th My bonnie lies over the ocean
Step 3
Now lets try a few jumps in a row. Remember this is harder than in the exam in a way as you are singing solo. You will have the piano to help you keep in the correct harmonies.
Step 4
Rhythm! Rhythm is just as important as pitch. each clip will be played twice. Clap or tap the rhythm back after the clip. It can be useful to video yourself and play it with the clip simultaneously to check your progress. You are allowed to tap along with your singing / playing response to help you. This is harder than in the exam as you will have a piano to help you keep time and for you to base your rhythms on.
Step 5
It is time to put it all together. The following examples combine everything you have just practiced. The first practice tests are shorter than the real exam. Make sure you are comfortable with the shorter examples before you start attempting the longer tests. Remember, stand tall and sing loud and proud (confidence is key!). The more confident you are, the better your pitch control will be and the more you will convince the examiner that you know what you are doing!... even if you really don't feel confident at all. For each of these tests take time to sing the notes while tapping the pulse so you can practice pitch and rhythm simultaneously. Give yourself a practice run or two, then try and sing for a real attempt. It can be really useful to record yourself so you are able to check your practice.
Step 6
Last step! Let's put in some dynamics! On these final tests try and add in any articulations or dynamics you hear in the clips.
Step 7
Now its time for the real thing! Singing along with the piano part. Below are some clips and sight-singing examples. Try and sing along with the clip.
