Popular Vocals English Concise Syllabus, May 2017 Grade 7

Suggested Songs From Grade 4-8, Select any three songs (Male or Female) for the suggested list.

Male Endless Love Lionel Richie Perhaps Love John Denver I Guess That’s Why They Call it Blues Elton John Billie Jean Michael Jackson Human Touch Bruce Springsteen When I was your Man Bruno Mars

Female Think of Me Andrew Lloyd Webber One Day I’ll Fly Away Randy Crawford Saving all my Love for You Whitney Houston My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion Somewhere Over the Rainbow Original Version One Moment in Time Whitney Houston

Technical Exercises Technical Exercises are compulsory for all Levels and Grades and to be performed from memory.

The requirements can be sung using any Sol-Fa Syllables (ex. ‘lah’) or any consonant or vowel sound(s) (Ex. ‘aa’, ‘ee’, ‘oh’). The examinee must notify the examiner of the starting pitch for own choice. Candidates should aim for an accurate and confident performance, with a solid rhythm and relaxed voice.

The examiner will ask a selection from the list below, which must be sung in Legato or Staccato. Examiner will play the Tonic Note and/or the Key Chord where necessary. Tempo= 130-150 (Paired Quaver Beats per Minute)

Major Scale, Minor One Octave, Ascending and Descending (in One Breath, without a Scale (Harmonic, Break) Melodic) Chromatic scale One Octave, Ascending and Descending, with a Two-Beat Rest Major and Minor One Octave, Ascending and Descending (in One Breath, without a Arpeggio Break) Intervals All Intervals in a Major scale, Harmonic and Melodic Minor, and Chromatic Scale. One Octave, Ascending and Descending, with a Two-Beat Rest

Aural Awareness Aural Awareness will be conducted on a keyboard instrument, Acoustic Piano, Grand Piano or Digital Piano. Digital Keyboard is allowed only for rural centres and/or centres for only Indian Music (Bollywood and Bhartiya). It is the responsibility of the examination centre to ensure that an instrument is provided.

• The examiner will play an eight bars harmonised phrase (Major or Minor) in three four, four four, six eight or nine eight time. A. Listen to the phrase twice and then comment on the dynamics and articulation. B. Listen to the phrase twice and then identify and comment on two other characteristics of the song. • To name three consecutive notes after the tonic is named and played. • To identify Major, Minor, Augmented and Diminished chords in root position, played by the examiner.

Musical Knowledge Candidates need to be prepared to answer questions asked by the examiner in Hindi, English or Both as preferred by the candidate. All candidates are recommended to complete Music Theory up to Grade 3 for general Music Literacy.

A considerably higher level of detail is expected in these grades. Candidates must demonstrate thorough research and understanding of works, composers, styles and other relevant information. Answers at these levels must be extended (in “viva voce” style), and it is expected that the candidate will not require prompting by the examiner. For Vocal Candidates, Musical Knowledge is compulsory from Level I to Grade 8. Grade 7 : Seven Questions

Knowledge required: As for the previous grades, with the inclusion of imperfect and interrupted cadences (tonic key only). A knowledge of the background of the composer (if this information is available) of any song performed. Questions: As for the previous grades, with the addition of – • Identify a Perfect/ Plagal/ Imperfect/ Interrupted Cadence in this song. • Talk about the background of the composer of this song. • Talk about the origins and development of the style of this song. • Talk about the genre/period of composition of this song, with reference to stylistic characteristics and other important composers of the same genre/period. • Give a detailed description of the form of this song. Example: If explaining the form of a popular song arrangement, the candidate should be able to talk about: Ø the main sections, e.g. verse, chorus, bridge/middle 8, refrain, intro, coda etc., Ø the structures of individual sections (if applicable) Ø Explain in short about styles like Rock, Tango, Waltz, Cha Cha, Disco

Vocal Skill Guides Kindly note, skills of lower grades are included in the higher grades. Only, the add on are mentioned.

Ø Use of contrasting backing styles Ø Use of head and chest voice Ø Intervals up to and including a major ninth Ø Vocal range up to two octaves