 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fabian
Date: 2010-07-21 14:58
Hi, for those who don't know me, here's a thread which I previously posted a few weeks ago http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=330389&t=330389).
Yes, my grade four practical exam is next week tuesday and currently I'm doing fine except for two things now...sight reading and aural singing.
For sight reading, what should I do to get the fingerings correct? I often run into unexpected fingering crashes (especially related to B/C) and the overall song sounds wired.
Aural singing is the worse compartment for me. I'm unable to to do A1, which involved the examiner playing a short piece in which I'd have to sing it out "with lah"s. I've very little training (and practice) in aural and I find this section extremely difficult and impossible. I have to remember the melody and the rhythm both, but upon memorising one would lead me to forget the other. Even if I could memorise it, my pitch would be totally off. I tried the "listen with your heart" way...it worked...just for the first few bars. I get distracted too easy
please give me advice on these two issues I'm facing. It'll help a lot as my exam is a few days away. Thank you
yours sincerely,
Fabian
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-07-21 15:49
For sight reading, read notes in groups as much as you can. That way, you can recognize and have your fingers play, for example, a scale or arpeggio group while your eyes look ahead to recognize the next group. (That's why you practice scales -- to engrave he patterns into your muscle memory so that you can do them without thinking.)
For the aural singing, while the examiner plays the test passage, move your fingers as you would while playing clarinet. When you repeat the passage, do the the finger movements to cue the intervals and rhythm.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2010-07-21 16:07
There aren't short cuts for any of this. The more you read clarinet music of all varieties and practice scales, thirds, etc. the better you will become at sight reading. Same with aural skills. You need to be secure in pitches and rhythm before you can easily put both together. You can certainly work on these issues over time...but really can't cram for such an exam. These are skill sets developed over time.
My only advice is you should examine how you are preparing for such tests and seek out tutoring well in advance of future exams.
Best of luck.
ETA: I think Ken Shaw has given great advice, and I would practice his advice now...two days in advance of your tests! Have a friend give you a mock exam and apply his techniques.
Post Edited (2010-07-21 16:25)
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2010-07-22 06:12
For the sightreading, in your prep time quickly scan for the notes which usually tie up the fingers - B/C/C#/Eb etc and see if there are any passages which contain a few of these notes, press the keys on your clarinet without playing it and work out which side you need to start on, then commit that to memory! At grade 4 they would be very cruel to put a lot of awkward bits in like that.
If you do get into a mess, don't panic. Above all, keep going and try to maintain a steady beat. Don't tackle it too fast.
It sounds obvious, but make sure you take a good look at the key signature and time signature and remind yourself which sharps/flats you need to keep in mind by saying it to yourself (e.g. you see 2 sharps, say to yourself F sharp C sharp).
For the aural - use every opportunity you can to practice - it's just a matter of training. THere are websites to help e.g. http://www.good-ear.com can start you off with simple 2-note intervals. Buy the ABRSM training book/CD http://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/ABRSM-ABRSM-Aural-Training-in-Practice-Book-2-Grades-4-5-CD/598678 and work through as much as you can in the short time you've got left and GOOD LUCK.
Above all, don't worry too much. Even if you have a really bad day you will probably still scrape a few points together and if your pieces are sound you can still get a good pass. As others have said, for grade 5 don't leave it so late!
Post Edited (2010-07-22 06:13)
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2010-07-22 15:47
There's a very good book by Paul Harris called Improve Your Sight Reading, Grades 4 -5 (there are earlier books too). I have just bought it and am finding it really useful. Unfortunately you haven't got a lot of time yet. You will probably get through your exam on your other merits anyway, but why not buy this book and work through it thoroughly as you face your other Grades?
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Author: Fabian
Date: 2010-07-24 10:32
yes...thank you all for your invaluable advice :D I'm going to give it my all this week for final practice (:
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