Learning to write down melodies

[kau]

In my country (in Estonia) you have to do exercises like that: someone plays a melody on piano and you have to write it down after hearing it couple of times (with correct notes, correct measures, everything; at intermediate level they tell you the key though).

My question is: I've read the syllabies like ABRSM and don't see such exercises in there.  Does it mean it's not taught in many countries or is taught in college level only?

(I'm sorry, I don't know english word for this exercise, in estonian it's "diktaat")

K.

[abell88]

(I'm sorry, I don't know english word for this exercise, in estonian it's "diktaat")

In English it's called music dictation.

In Canada (RCM), you have to play back the melody. In higher grades, you also have to identify chords by ear. I think what you describe is an excellent exercise, but it's not required for any piano exams here, as far as I know.

[Tash]

yeah in terms of piano exams in australia they don't do it, but in school music it's there in music 2, and we've done it a bit at uni, but for not enough to make a huge difference. like i wish i could force myself to practice it more because it'd be quite beneficial. hmmm maybe that'll be my way of staying un-bored these hols....

[chelsey]

I did it a very slight bit in High School music, but mainly practiced it with my private teacher in order to prepare for a university audition. For my university audition it was required for Theory placement.

Now that I'm in my first year of university music, there's an entire series of [mandatory] courses (1117-3117) devoted to melodic dictation and harmonic dictation (which is a pregnant dog at the beginning : writing progressions by ear in four part).

[mattm]

yes, i'm currently at university and there are classes where we spend all semester doing this (and 4 semesters total)!  it is probably the hardest class I have ever had.  The class is split between rhythmic dictation, melodic dictation, (rhythmic and melodic dictation combined), identifying chord progressions and being able to write down the notes being played by just hearing the progression a few times (about 7 or so), keyboard quizzes, as well as sight singing.  Other than the keyboard quizzes, I am horrible at the rest, although my teacher says I am improving greatly.  (the word dlktaat sounds like the english word 'dictation'.)  what gets me is there's a guy who sit nexts to me who nails everything perfect after hearing the exercises only once!

[g_s_223]

...
My question is: I've read the syllabies like ABRSM and don't see such exercises in there.  Does it mean it's not taught in many countries or is taught in college level only?
...

In the ABRSM framework, each of the 1-8 Grades has an associated Aural Test component which must be taken, and each level is increasingly harder. You can see an overview at https://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/gradedMusicExams/latestSyllabuses.html , click Aural Tests - Complete Syllabus. However, the Aural Part only makes up a fairly small percentage of the final mark in the Grade exams.

At a higher level than the Grade exams, the Diploma exams do not have an aural test component.

P.S. Theres a very good ABRSM forum for those doing these exams at https://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?https://forums.abrsm.org/ .

[quantum]

As abell88 mentioned, we never had to do that for Canadian RCM exams.  I did have to take a course devoted to such things in 1st year university.  We used fixed Do solfege along with singing exercises to help us do melodic dictation.