In this example lesson, singing teacher Lucy Mair works on three vocal exercises with her Grade 1 student Katy: ‘Swallows Flying’, ‘Riding the Waves’ and ‘Spooky!’

Vocal exercises form part of the technical work section of a Trinity singing exam, with candidates choosing to perform either them, Vaccai exercises, or unaccompanied folk songs. This section of the exam is designed to build an assured vocal proficiency by developing specific skills progressively through the grades. The options in this section also encourage musical and expressive singing, as the techniques are embedded within pieces of music which have words that need to be communicated effectively.

Our vocal exercises focus on the mastery of pitching accuracy and dynamic gradation, rhythmic precision and careful diction, with a contemporary feel to the language and musical idiom.