Aural & Sight-reading Skills
Develop your musical ears and sight-reading skills! This course covers everything you need for the aural and sight-reading parts of ABRSM’s Instrument Exam. Perfect for students taking instrument exams and those aiming to improve musicianship skills.
Lesson Features
- One-to-one online lessons
- Structured lesson plan covering the aural / sight-reading part of ABRSM’s instrumental exams, from Grades 1 to 8
- Full coverage of aural skills, such as rhythmic exercises, sight-singing/reading, intervals, chords, cadences, aural analysis
- Lesson notes after every lesson
Aural Skills Lessons
Young musicians need to develop their musical ears and sight-reading abilities—something I always regret not starting earlier myself! Music originated with the human voice many centuries ago, so it’s natural for us to appreciate the nuances of sound by ears. Students will understand music more intensely by honing their aural and sight-reading skills, mainly focusing on key elements such as rhythm, melody, and harmony. There is a reason why ABRSM includes musicianship skills like this as part of all their instrument exams!
Aural & Sight-reading Skills Lessons are designed to enhance students’ abilities in this area. Covering Grades 1 to 8, my structured lessons ensure comprehensive coverage of the essential aural and sight-reading skills needed to pass the ABRSM instrument exams. After each lesson, I provide detailed notes to reinforce learning and track progress.
This course focuses on developing the ability to identify, understand, and reproduce musical elements by ear or your instrument. Here’s a breakdown of what a typical Aural lesson involves:
Pitch Recognition
- Identifying intervals (e.g., major third, perfect fifth).
- Recognising scales and modes (e.g., major, minor, pentatonic).
Rhythmic/Melodic Dictation
- Clapping or reproducing rhythms.
- Listening to a melody and singing it back.
Harmonic Recognition:
- Identifying chord qualities (e.g., major, minor, diminished, augmented).
- Recognising chord progressions (e.g., I-IV-V-I).
Musical Memory:
- Listening to a sequence and recalling it accurately.
- Singing or playing back phrases.
Sight Singing:
- Reading and singing music notation accurately.
Advanced Listening (for intermediate/advanced learners):
- Identifying instrumentation and texture.
- Recognising complex harmonic structures or modulations.
- Identifying stylistic/historical features of an excerpt.
Testimonials
“Learning with Owen for aural skills was a game-changer. His focus on developing musical ears on has really transformed my understanding of music and given me more confidence!”
Emilia K. – student
“Owen is amazing! I was really weak with cadences but thanks to him I’ve become quite confident in identifying them. Definitely worth it!”
Rasminder J. – student
“Owen has not only enhanced my son’s aural skills, but also made him more interested in music. I’ve seen remarkable progress in his ability to pick up melodies and understand rhythm, and I couldn’t be happier. High recommend!”
Kent L. – parent
Q&A
No, my lessons are for students of all levels. You may be starting out or have already developed some aural or sight-reading skills. I will tailor the lessons to your individual level, so that you can progress at your own pace.
My Aural & Sight-reading Skills Lessons cover a diverse range of topics, such as rhythmic exercises, sight-singing, intervals, chords, cadences, aural analysis. The specific content largely follows ABRSM’s official requirements.
Yes of course! I always tailor my lessons to students’ individual needs and learning style. I will work with you to create a personalised plan that covers the topics of your choice.