Vocals Grade 6
At Vocals Grade 6 you'll test your vocal cords and improve your control by tackling large major and minor intervals, new scales and tackling dynamics and register changes. At exam time, you'll perform a testing series of longer pieces.
Exam Times
Grade Exam: 36 Minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 30 Minutes (approx.)
Buy Your Book
Vocals Grade 6 earns you UCAS points, which contribute to university applications. This Grade book will help you tackle dynamics, registry changes, and more.
Exam Structure
There are two main types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate, which can be booked as a face-to-face exam or recorded video exam and is also available in some centres as a live-streamed video exam. More info about our video exams can be found here...
Grade Exam
| 3 Performance Pieces (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces) | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 60% of the exam mark |
| Technical Exercises (Section A, B, C and D for Level 3 qualifications) | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 15% of the exam mark |
| Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation (Debut to Grade 5); Quick Study Pieces (Grade 6 to Grade 8) | Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform | This accounts for 10% of the exam marks |
| 2 Ear Tests | Candidates respond to 2 aural tests. | These account for 10% of the exam marks |
| 5 General Musicianship Questions | Candidates answer 5 questions based on one of the pieces performed | These account for 5% of the exam marks |
Performance Certificate
| 5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) | These account for 20% of the exam mark each. |
Performance Pieces
Candidates must prepare a total of three pieces for a Grade Exam and five pieces for a Performance Certificate.
The ten songs at grade 6 are:
- The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
- Alanis Morisette – You Learn
- Labrinth – Jealous
- Ariana Grande – Tattooed Heart
- Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
- Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
- Bastille / Marshmello – Happier
- Sarah Vaughan – Lullaby of Birdland
- Beyoncé – Halo
- Tiana Major9, EARTHGANG – Collide (from Queen & Slim soundtrack)
Technical Exercises
Please note: The following information relates to the new 2021 Vocals syllabus launched in September 2021. For exam information relating to the 2014 - 2021 Vocals syllabus, please download the syllabus specification at the base of this page!
There are five groups of technical exercises at this grade: Scales, Arpeggios, Intervals, Backing Vocals and Stylistic Studies. The scale, arpeggio and intervals are to be performed to a click track, the backing vocals and stylistic study to backing tracks. Unless specified otherwise, the exercises may be performed using any vocal sound except humming or whistling.
Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform the following scale, as written in the grade book:
Blues Scale
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Range: 1 octave
Tempo: 100bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
The examiner will ask the candidate which starting note they have chosen (the examiner can play starting notes in the range A3–G#4, but candidates may sing in any octave). Candidates will hear the starting note, followed by a 1-bar count in, before performing the test to the metronome click.
Group B: Arpeggios
Candidates are to perform the following arpeggio, as written in the grade book:
Major and diminished arpeggio
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Range: Up to a fifth
Tempo: 100bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
The examiner will ask the candidate which starting note they have chosen (the examiner can play starting notes in the range A3–G#4, but candidates may sing in any octave). Candidates will hear the starting note, followed by a 1-bar count in, before performing the test to the metronome click.
Group C: Intervals
Candidates are to prepare both of the following interval sequences, as written in the grade book. The examiner will ask for one of them to be performed in the exam:
Major 7ths and Major 6ths
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Tempo: 90bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
Minor 7ths and Minor 6ths
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Tempo: 90bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
The examiner will ask the candidate which starting note they have chosen (the examiner can play starting notes in the range A3–G#4, but candidates may sing in any octave). Candidates will hear the starting note, followed by a 4-beat count in, before performing the test to the metronome click.
Group D: Backing Vocals
Candidates are to perform one of the two backing vocals exercises given in the grade book. Each exercise in the book has three notated vocal parts — candidates must prepare all of these for their chosen exercise. The examiner will ask which exercise the candidate has prepared (Exercise 1 or Exercise 2). They will then select one of the vocal parts for the candidate to perform (the other two notated parts will be included on the backing track). Candidates will hear the root note, followed by a 1-bar count in, before performing the test to the backing track.
Group E: Stylistic Studies
Candidates are to perform one of the eight stylistic studies given in the grade book. The studies are divided into the four distinct genre groups below, with two options for each genre group:
- Pop and Musical Theatre
- Soul and Contemporary R&B
- Jazz and Blues
- Rock and Indie
The examiner will ask which genre group and which study the candidate has prepared (Study 1 or Study 2). Candidates may sing in any octave but the studies cannot be transposed to a different key. Candidates will hear the root note, followed by a 4-beat count in, before performing the test to the backing track. Note that the choice of genre group for this test will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece the examiner will select in the exam.
Supporting Tests
Please note: The following information relates to the new 2021 Vocals syllabus launched in September 2021. For exam information relating to the 2014 - 2021 Vocals syllabus, please download the syllabus specification at the base of this page!
Quick Study Piece
Requirements
Candidates will be given a short previously unseen piece to perform, the style of which will be one of the two from the genre group that candidates chose for their stylistic study. The piece will be 12 bars long, in any major or minor key up to three sharps/flats, covering a range of up to a 10th. In bars 1 to 4 candidates will sing the written melody and lyrics; in bars 5 to 8 candidates will improvise a variation on the first 4 bars, developing the melody and lyrics as they wish; in bars 9 to 12 candidates will improvise a melody using any vocal sound except humming or whistling. The tempo will be 70–160bpm.
Preparation
Candidates will be asked whether they would like a higher-pitched test or a lower-pitched test. Candidates will by played a full mix version of the track, including the notated parts. They will then be given 3 minutes to practise, after which they will perform the test. Before the practice time begins, candidates will be given the choice of a metronome click throughout or having a 4-beat count in at the beginning. Whichever option candidates choose, the practice time will start with the examiner playing the root note. The root note will be played again halfway through the practice time.
Performance
After the practice time, the backing track will be played twice more with the notated parts now absent. The first time is for candidates to rehearse and the second time to perform the final version for the exam. Only the performance over the final playthrough will be assessed. Each playthrough will begin with the root note and a 4-beat count in. The backing track is continuous throughout, so once the first playthrough has finished, the root note and count in of the second playthrough will start immediately.
Ear Tests
Candidates will be given both of the following ear tests, examples of which are included in the grade book:
- Test 1: Melodic Recall
- Test 2: Harmony Vocals
Test 1: Melodic Recall
- Requirements: The examiner will play a melody. Candidates will then sing back the melody to a drum backing, using any vocal sound except humming or whistling. The melody will be a 2-bar diatonic melody in the key of A major or D natural minor, starting on the root note or the 5th, covering a range of up to an octave above the root note. candidates may sing in any octave. The melody may contain half notes, dotted half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes and will contain rests. The tempo will be 90bpm.
- Process: The test will be played twice, each time preceded by a 4-beat count in. There will be a short gap after each playthrough. After the gap following the second playthrough candidates will be given a vocal count in, after which they should play the melody back to the drum backing.
Test 2: Harmony Vocals
- Requirements: The examiner will play a 4-bar melody. Candidates will be asked to harmonise the melody a diatonic 3rd or 4th above, using the same rhythm and lyrics. The melody will be based on chords I, IV, V and VIm. The tempo will be 90–120bpm.
- Process: Candidates will be asked whether they would like a higher-pitched test or a lower-pitched test. The higher-pitched test will be in C or A major (Option 1), the lower-pitched test in G or A major (Option 2). They will be given the lyrics for their test. The test will be played twice, each time preceded by the root note and a 4-beat count in. There will be a short gap after each playthrough. After the gap following the second playthrough candidates will be given a vocal count in, after which they should sing their harmony line. The length of time available after the second playthrough is pre-recorded on the audio track so the vocal count in may begin while the candidate is still practising.
General Musicianship Questions
Candidates will be asked five questions. Three of these will be music knowledge questions, based on any one of the pieces performed in the exam, the fourth will be about improvisation, and the fifth will be about knowledge of the candidate’s own voice or the microphone. Candidates can use brief demonstrations to support their verbal explanations.
Part 1: General Music Knowledge
There will be three music knowledge questions in relation to one of the pieces performed in the exam. Candidates will be asked which piece they would like to be asked about. If the candidate’s copy of the chosen piece contains extensive handwritten notes the examiner may either use their own version of the score as the basis for the questions or they may request that candidates select a different piece.
Candidates may be asked to identify::
- Identify and explain any two sections of notation
- Identify and explain any intervals up to a octave between two adjacent notes (including stating major, minor or perfect)
Part 2: Improvisation
Candidates will be asked to briefly describe and demonstrate their approach to how they would improvise any part of the song, making reference to melody, rhythm, phrasing, dynamics and expression. Candidates can choose the part of the song.
Part 3: Knowledge of the Voice and the Microphone
There will be one question about the candidate’s knowledge of their voice or the microphone, chosen by the examiner from the list below. Candidates may be asked:
- Can you name three effective resonators for singing?
- Can you explain the difference between ‘aspirate onset’ and ‘glottal onset’?
- Which exercises might be safe to perform when your voice is tired or you have a sore throat?
- How can you balance your sound on microphone when switching between chest voice (low register) and head/falsetto voice (high register)?
Assessment Criteria
Performance Pieces
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 18–20 | 15–17 | 12–14 | 6–11 | 0–5 |
| Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Accuracy & Understanding | all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Style & Expression | Consistently convincing projection of the music. | Mostly convincing projection of the music. | Some convincing projection of the music. | Music not convincingly projected. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Technical Exercises
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 13–15 | 11–12 | 9–10 | 4–8 | 0–3 |
| Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Accuracy & Understanding | all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Ear Tests
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 9–10 | 7–8 | 6 | 3–5 | 0–2 |
| Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Supporting Tests
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 9–10 | 7–8 | 6 | 3–5 | 0–2 |
| Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
General Musicianship Questions
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 5 correct responses | 4 correct responses | 3 correct responses | 2 correct responses | 0–1 correct responses |
Performance Certificate
| Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 18–20 | 15–17 | 12–14 | 6–11 | 0–5 |
| Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
| Style & Expression | Consistently convincing projection of the music. | Mostly convincing projection of the music. | Some convincing projection of the music. | Music not convincingly projected. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Additional Information
Free Choice Pieces
Candidates are able to perform a number of Free Choice Pieces in the examination:
- Grade Examinations: Two Free Choice Pieces (at least one piece must be from the grade book)
- Performance Certificates: Three Free Choice Pieces (at least two pieces must be from the grade book)
In vocal exams Free Choice Pieces can be selected from our list of Wider Repertoire - a full list of suggested pieces which can be found on our website. Alternatively, Candidates can choose or compose any song in any genre outside of the grade book and wider repertoire. These songs should demonstrate a comparable level of technical and musical demand to the pieces given in the set selections in the grade books which can be referred to as an indication of appropriate level. Candidates should refer to the Free Choice Piece Criteria available on our website when accessing the level of a potential piece. All pieces must be performed to a backing track.
Free Choice Pieces must be available in fully notated sheet music and Candidates need to bring a copy of the sheet music for the examiner to refer to during the examination. If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of the chosen piece, please contact freechoicepieces@rslawards.com.
Musical Interpretation
Musical Interpretation is allowed at all grades in both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. Rockschool encourages individual musicality, articulation, expression and use of dynamics when performing. This applies anywhere in the exam other than the technical exercises where articulation when specified must be observed. Candidates are reminded that all musical interpretation should be stylistically appropriate.
Use of Microphones
At Grades 1-5 the use of a microphone is optional, although candidates may perform with a microphone if they feel it will enhance their performance n At Grades 6-8 all sections of the exam are to be performed with a microphone.
Candidates can provide their own microphone for the examination should they prefer to use their own equipment, otherwise a microphone and lead will be provided by the centre.
Vocals Syllabus
Rockschool Vocals is back with an updated, refreshed and expanded syllabus! Please download the 2021 syllabus specification for Debut – Grade 8.
Rockschool Vocals Syllabus (2021)
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