Testing your mettle. Proving your worth. Going from strength to strength. Making the grade, and maybe even skip the next one.
These idioms about demonstrating one’s abilities pepper our lexicon and they all mean the same thing: strength is not a strength unless tested. Ability is nothing unless proven and talent is insignificant unless one can show to which degree they possess it.
From that perspective, singing exams make perfect sense. After all, almost anyone can sing, however well, and some singers are quite proficient within a narrow band of musical performance but have no compulsion to reach beyond their range or repertoire.
Imagine singing for six to eight hours per day! All of that talking: wouldn’t your voice get tired? Wouldn’t it be a great idea to take voice lessons so that you don’t strain your vocal cords and learn new voice techniques?
For those intending to make a career out of singing, testing out new material and knowing where they stand in their development as a vocal artist are crucial… but is it necessary to test at every level?
Gather ‘round, prospective singers, that’s the topic for today!
Why get a singing coach to help you skip your singing grades?
It would be extremely optimistic to think that you can tackle all of this alone, particularly if you plan on skipping grades along the way. Even some of the most popular singers of today such as Ariana Grande, Dermott Kennedy or Irelands’ own rockstar Bono, all avail of assistance when it comes to their singing. The list of artists that avail of a singing tutor is endless!
There is no shame in seeking help with your journey in music and in fact it will likely save you hundreds of hours of unnecessary trial and error.
A singing tutor can not only coach you through the process but will also be able to tailor your vocal training to target areas of weakness that are specific to you.
Whether you are really struggling to throw yourself in front of a crowd or just need a helping hand in hitting that high note, there's no reason to be shy and follow the footsteps of many greats by getting help from a professional. After all, this is what they are there for!
One piece of advice that can really help get over that first hurdle of singing in front of a crowd is to begin singing where you are most comfortable. This can be at home or even with a friend, you would be surprised what being in a familiar or comfortable environment can do for your confidence.
Study for your singing exams in Ireland
You will not be required to sing entire songs, either for your accompanied pieces or your traditional song. Depending on which exam you take, your syllabus should tell you which portions you are expected to sing from any song on the list.
Whether you want to improve your skills or prepare for the leaving cert music exam, Ireland is a great place to pursue your goals. Its main cities Dublin, Cork and Galway have an abundance of amazing facilities, both old and new tangled within its rural charm.
The island of Ireland is full of places where music is in the spotlight, if you are looking to develop your singing then look no further than the region’s music scene. Here, you will find an array of events such as karaoke and open mic nights if you want to mix up your practice in a light-hearted and social setting.
Whether you are a student or a practising artist, it is certainly worth checking out your college prospectus for potential research, networking, guest lectures, and competitions that may be on offer. You never know you might get more out of it than you think.
You would certainly find any inspiration you need to knuckle down and jump up a few grades in your singing exams!
There is also a multitude of government grants and subsidies in place for musicians and singers students that you may be eligible for that might make life that bit easier for you, so there is no harm in applying and seeing what you get back!
That’s is but one of the many tips to help you prepare for your singing exams.
You might be able to get your singing exams paid for, now wouldn’t that be nice?
Still, attainment is a worthy goal. Wouldn’t you like to find out how to get a distinction on your next singing exam?
When Skipping Grades is Acceptable
The progressive nature of these singing exams makes aspiring singers wonder if they could skip any of them.
The answer is: yes, you can skip grades.
Unless you are mad for tests and can’t resist the challenge, you could afford to bypass at least a few of the lower grade exams, especially if you have a legitimate reason to (besides an aversion to tests).
Each singing grade is a carefully crafted step designed to advance students’ knowledge of music and grow their repertoire.
Remember: these grades are not like textbook learning and examination. If you skip a whole chapter in your math book, for instance, you will have trouble grasping math concepts further on.
You may fail to register on time or miss the deadline for your pieces, for instance.
If you happen to be ‘between levels’ – you’ve progressed beyond the requirements of the lower level exam but are not quite ready for the next higher grade, your teacher might recommend that you skip the lower grade and focus on gaining the skills needed to score well on the higher one.
Skipping any of the lower grade exams is not as big an issue as bypassing exams for grades 6-8, exams you should not miss if you hope to register for a degree plan at any of our country’s fine musical universities or a conservatoire.
Your music teacher or voice coach may recommend that you skip an exam or two, particularly in the lower grades or for those aforementioned precocious singers.
The one exam you should not skip is Grade 5 because it serves as a prerequisite for higher-level grades. Don't forget that you will test on music theory at this grade; a vital component of your music education.
You might say that Grade 5 separates the wheat from the chaff; those who progress beyond that point may start to think of themselves as serious musicians.
If you are in doubt over whether to skip a grade or not, talk with your caregivers, your music teacher, vocal coach and/or singing tutor. It might be a good idea to talk with fellow singers who have skipped a grade so that you can make the best possible decision for your situation.
Let’s say that your last graded exam, Grade 2, was only five months ago and, since then, your progress has been so remarkable that you are ready for Grade 4 material. Your teacher would probably recommend you to take that exam rather than the lower grade one.
In all cases, when toying with the idea of jumping the gun and skipping some of your grades in singing, you should talk with your teachers and caregivers – both for support and to determine if you are ready for the more intensive challenge.
Another good idea: read more about Ireland's unique singing exams.
Jump up a few grades with the help of a Superprof Singing Coach!
Whether you are a student looking to jump up a few grades in the junior or leaving cert music exams, a parent wanting to pick up a new hobby, or perhaps even continuing an old one, if you are looking to skip a few grades in the Irish singing exams then you have come to the right place.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of paying too much for your singing classes when you are so focused on getting your singing grades. Using a two-sided platform such as Superprof is the best way of mitigating the chances of that happening!
Superprof is a one-stop-shop for students of all ages who are interested in learning just about any skill, but given the number of qualified singing coaches that occupy the platform, this might be your sign to get working on your exam prep!
The platform is a great place to conduct your search for suitable and affordable private tutors. You’re bound to find value in the extensive pool of community members that occupy the space.
Using the website for your search will not only give you a great way of finding the right tutor but it will help you find the right price too! More and more students are moving over to Superprof because they allow you to browse and connect with qualified tutors from all over the island of Ireland and beyond.
Luckily, with Superprof there is an abundance of singing coaches to choose from so you don’t need to worry about not being able to find affordable options for your exam preparation needs.
Your next singing coach can be found on the platform and for an affordable price too. The teachers the occupy the platform are also well equipped to help you master your skills or skip a few grades. So why not get ahead on your journey with a singing coach today?
For everyone who aspires to a career as a singer, we hope this guide answers the question of whether to take every graded exam.
Good luck!
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