Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Vocals
Grade 4
At Vocals Grade 4, it’s time to harmonise and sing backing vocals. You’ll also improve transitions between registers and expand your music theory before being testing your new skills in a series of performance pieces in your exam.
There are three types of exams available: Grade Exam, Graded Certificate or Performance Certificate.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 30 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 25 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Vocals Grade 4 book will guide you through all you need to learn to take your exam, and looks in-depth at the skills of harmonising, backing vocals, improving transitions between registers, and more.
Vocals Grade 4
The essential syllabus for the aspiring contemporary vocalist. This book will provide you with ev...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 4
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...
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 4 are:
Featured Repertoire:
- Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
- Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes
- Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground
- BTS – Dynamite
- Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares for Me
- Massive Attack – Teardrop
- Adele – Someone like You
- Passenger – Let Her Go
- Coldplay – Magic
- Rihanna – Diamonds
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, Melodic Studies and Backing Vocals. The scale, arpeggios and intervals are to be performed to a click track, the melodic study and backing vocals 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:
Major Pentatonic Scale
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Range: 1 octave
Tempo: 80bpm
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 prepare both of the following arpeggios, as written in the grade book. The examiner will ask for one of them to be performed in the exam:
Major Arpeggio
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Range: Up to a tenth
Tempo: 80bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
Major arpeggio (ascending), dominant 7 arpeggio (descending)
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Range: 1 octave
Tempo: 80bpm
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 intervals, as written in the grade book. The examiner will ask for one of them to be performed in the exam:
Major 6th, ascending
Starting note: Candidate’s choice
Tempo: 90bpm
Accompaniment: Click track
Major 7th, ascending
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 1-bar count in, before performing the test to the metronome click.
Group D – Melodic Studies
Candidates are to perform one of the two melodic studies given in the grade book. The examiner will ask which study the candidate has prepared (Study 1 or Study 2). Candidates will hear the root note, followed by a 4-beat count in, before performing the test to the backing track.
Group E – Backing Vocals
Candidates are to perform one of the two backing vocals exercises given in the grade book. Each exercise in the book has two notated vocal parts — candidates must prepare both 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 4-beat count in, before performing the test to the backing track.
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!
Before seeing the tests, the examiner will ask whether the candidate wishes to perform a piece of sight reading or take a test of improvisation and interpretation. Once the candidate has decided, they cannot change their mind.
Sight Reading
Requirements
Candidates will be given a short previously unseen rhythm to perform, using any vocal sound except humming or whistling. The rhythm will be 4 bars long, in the key of F major or D minor, covering a range of up to a perfect 5th. Candidates may sing in any octave. The tempo will be 75–85bpm.
Process
Candidates will be given 90 seconds 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. Candidates will receive the same choice when performing the test.
Improvisation & Interpretation
Requirements
Candidates will be given a previously unseen chord progression, over which they will improvise a melody using any vocal sound except humming or whistling. The chord progression will be 4 bars long, in the key of G major or E minor. The tempo will be 80–90bpm.
Process
Candidates will hear the backing track three times. Candidates can rehearse during the first and second playthroughs, before performing the improvisation over the third playthrough. Only their improvisation 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 and third playthroughs 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: Rhythmic Recall
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 C major or A minor, starting on the root note, using up to the first five notes of the scale. Candidates may sing in any octave. The melody may contain half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes and may 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: Rhythmic Recall
There are two parts to this test: Rhythm Recall and Identification.
Part 1: Rhythm Recall
- Requirements: The examiner will play a 2-bar rhythm. Candidates will be asked to sing the rhythm back, on any pitch, using ‘da’ or ‘ba’ vocal sounds. The rhythm will be played on a single note, to a drum backing. 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 sing the rhythm back. 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.
Part 2: Identification
- Requirements: Candidates will be asked to identify the rhythm they heard in Part 1.
- Process: Candidates will be shown two notated rhythms. They will be asked to identify one which matches the rhythm they heard in Part 1.
General Musicianship Questions
Candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these will be music knowledge questions, based on any one of the pieces performed in the exam, the fifth will be about knowledge of the candidate’s own voice. Candidates can use brief demonstrations to support their verbal explanations.
Part 1: General Music Knowledge
There will be four 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 any pitch name (including stating flat, sharp or natural)
- Identify rhythmic values, from the following:
- – Whole note
- – Half note
- – Quarter note
- – Eighth note
- – Sixteenth note
- – Triplet eighth notes
-
- Identify rest values, and adjacent rest value combinations, from the following:
- – Whole note
-
- – Half note
-
- – Quarter note
-
- – Eighth note
-
- – Sixteenth note
-
- Identify any interval up to a 7th between two adjacent notes (candidates will not need to state major, minor or perfect)
-
- Identify and explain the meaning of any of the following:
-
- – Any time signature marking
-
- – Any dynamic marking
-
- – Ad lib.
- – Any tempo marking
Part 2: Knowledge of the Voice
There will be one question about the candidate’s knowledge of their voice, chosen by the examiner from the list below. Candidates may be asked:
- How do you ensure consistent vocal tone?
- How do you create breathy (aspirate) tone?
- When would you use vibrato?
Exam Structure
There are three types of exam available, a Grade Exam, Graded Certificate, or Performance Certificate.
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 |
Graded Certificate
| 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 75% of the exam mark |
| Technical Exercises | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 25% of the exam mark |
Performance Certificate
| 5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) | These account for 20% of the exam mark each. |
Assessment Criteria
(Please note: Graded Certificates consist of just Performance Pieces and Technical Exercises. Please see the exam structure tab for more info)
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 |
