Advanced Aural Skills (Ages 18+)

Book Now for Advanced Aural Skills (18+)
A woman sat at a keyboard wearing headphones. Aural teacher is sounds bass notes.

Key information:

Course dates:
Mon 15 – Fri 19 July 2024
Course times:
10am–4pm
Age:
18+
Art form:
Music
Fees:
£450
Deadline:
Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
Level of study:
Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+)
Mode of study:
In-person
Venue:
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
When:
Summer Schools (July–August)

Course info

Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged.
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity.
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024.
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here.

Ages 18+

Course Dates & Times

Monday 15 – Friday 19 July 2024
10am–4pm

About Advanced Aural Skills

This five-day music course will help develop your existing aural skills to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above.

Who is the course for?
  • Singers, musicians and/or composers wanting to refine aural skills at a post-grade 5 level.
  • There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 18 and over.
What can I expect?

You will be taught listening and memorising skills up to the level required for ABRSM and Trinity Grade 8 and above for the following topics:

  • Melody:

    • copying longer melodic phrases vocally and instrumentally
    • singing and playing upper/lower melodies of a two-part phrase
    • interval recognition, including compound intervals
    • advanced sight-singing
  • Harmony:
    • revision of cadences
    • detailed chord-naming
    • tonality, including chromaticism, whole-tone, serialism
    • modulation (including practical work)
  • Rhythm:
    • recognising time-signatures, musical pulse
    • advanced rhythm and sight clapping

In addition to the topics listed above, the course will also cover:

  • Practical working knowledge of advanced theory
  • Mistake spotting: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation, speed
  • Style and historical period recognition
  • Recognising character and form of music (dance, chorale, elegy, fugue etc.)
  • Understanding of structure within form
Do I need anything for the course?
  • Your instrument/voice
  • Manuscript paper
  • Pencil
'Shelagh's gentle and fun approach to aural skills has totally rehabilitated my relationship with learning aural skills. She also managed the group dynamic beautifully, and we all had a wonderful time doing things we obviously all found hard in some way or another.'

– Participant on Advanced Aural Skills, 2022

Course Fee

£450
Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged.
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity.
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024.
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here.

Eligibility

  • For everyone aged 18+. There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 18 and over.
  • ABRSM Grade 5 instrument and theory (or equivalent level) recommended.
  • Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands.

About the Course Tutor

This course is taught by Shelagh Sutherland.

Shelagh is a freelance pianist who has been teaching piano, violin, singing and Alexander Technique since 1972. She has been teaching the aural course at Guildhall School since 1990, which she was instrumental in designing.

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