Level Up: The Singer's Aural Skills Drill for Teachers

Being a skilled singer goes beyond hitting the right notes and delivering powerful performances. Aural skills, the ability to hear and recognize musical elements, are crucial for any singer looking to refine their craft. And for teachers, imparting these skills to their students can be a transformative experience.

Why Aural Skills Matter

As singers, we rely heavily on our ears to pitch notes accurately, interpret melodies, and harmonize with others. Developing strong aural skills allows us to:

• Improve pitch accuracy and intonation
• Enhance musical phrasing and expression
• Recognize and understand musical structures
• Improvise and adapt to different musical contexts
• Achieve better pitch memory

Without a solid foundation in aural skills, singers may struggle with these aspects of their performance and find themselves limited in their musical capabilities.

Level 1 The Singers' Aural Skills Drill Book For Teachers

by Peter Gelling([Print Replica] Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4340 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	141 pages

FREE

Introducing the Level System

To help teachers effectively train their students' aural skills, the Level system was created. This unique approach breaks down the learning process into progressive levels, allowing teachers to tailor their lessons to their students' abilities and challenges.

The Level system consists of five skill levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Each level focuses on specific areas of aural development, ensuring a comprehensive and structured approach to training. By working through each level, singers are guided through incremental improvements in their musical hearing abilities.

Level 1: Building Foundations

In Level 1, the focus is on establishing basic aural skills such as pitch matching, interval recognition, and basic rhythm comprehension. This level is ideal for beginners or singers who need to solidify their fundamental understanding of musical elements.

Teachers can utilize exercises such as call-and-response, echo singing, and rhythmic patterns to build their students' awareness and ability to reproduce the musical elements accurately.

Level 2: Expanding the Range

Level 2 takes students one step further by introducing more complex elements like melodic dictation, chord recognition, and sight-singing. This level helps singers expand their musical range and challenge their listening skills.

Teachers can employ techniques like melodic dictation exercises, chord progressions, and sight-singing exercises to push their students' aural boundaries.

Level 3: Developing Musicality

At Level 3, the focus shifts towards developing a deeper understanding of musicality and expression. Singers explore musical nuances such as dynamics, articulation, and phrasing while continuing to refine their skills in pitch accuracy and harmonic recognition.

Teachers can introduce exercises that involve expressive singing, nuanced interpretation of melodies, and advanced harmonic analysis to help their students become more well-rounded musicians.

Level 4: Advanced Techniques

Level 4 is designed for singers who have already mastered the foundational aspects of aural skills. Here, students delve deeper into advanced techniques such as complex improvisation, transposition, and intricate rhythmic patterns.

Teachers can challenge their students with more demanding exercises like jazz scatting, transposition exercises, and multi-layered rhythmic patterns to push their aural capabilities to new heights.

Level 5: Mastery

The final level of the system represents mastery of aural skills. Students at this level have honed their musical hearing to an exceptional degree and can effortlessly blend their abilities into their performances.

Teachers can focus on advanced concepts such as microtonal tuning, advanced harmonic analysis and modulations, and intricate polyrhythmic patterns to further refine the students' skills.

The Benefits for Singers and Teachers

The Level system offers several benefits for both singers and teachers alike. Some of these advantages include:

• A structured approach to aural skill development
• Clear goals and objectives for both teachers and students
• Incremental learning that tracks progress
• The ability to customize lessons based on individual needs
• A comprehensive curriculum covering various musical elements
• Improved overall musicianship and musical sensitivity
• Enhanced creativity and ability to adapt to different musical styles

The Importance of Aural Skills for Singers

Beyond the technical aspects of singing, aural skills are what truly make a vocalist stand out. A well-developed ear allows a singer to connect deeply with the music, interpret it authentically, and communicate effectively with other musicians.

Moreover, singers with strong aural skills are better equipped to handle challenges like singing in harmony, performing improvisations, and adjusting to key changes. These skills not only enhance their performances but also open up opportunities for collaboration and musical exploration.

As teachers, it is crucial to prioritize the development of aural skills in our students. By implementing a structured approach like the Level system, we can guide singers towards becoming well-rounded musicians who possess the ability to truly connect with music at a deeper level.

So, let's level up and embark on a journey of musical growth, as we equip our students with the tools they need to unlock their full potential and soar to new heights as skilled singers.

Level 1 The Singers' Aural Skills Drill Book For Teachers

by Peter Gelling([Print Replica] Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4340 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	141 pages

FREE

Level 1 of the Singers’ Aural Skills Drill Book for Teachers gives you musicianship examples so you can confidently drill your students on their aural skills. Multiple examples included for clapbacks, chords and singbacks, as well as interval suggestions.

Great for practical exam preparation as well as choral/show auditions, or simply to build these skills in a methodical manner in the lesson.