Over the past 25 years of giving singing lessons and vocal coaching, the majority of my clients have been adults, many of whom work full-time in music. As a result, I’ve rarely had the need to discuss vocal grades. Despite having studied music intensively myself (GCSE, A-level, degree, post-grad—and having taken piano exams as a child) I’ve rarely in the past recommended that clients follow this route.
In fact, it was possibly my own experience with grades that left me with rather strong views about grading music and singing. At the time (a long time ago!) grades seemed to somewhat favour technique over expression, repetition over originality and they left me rather dependant on reading music than feeling or experimenting with my ear. I personally didn’t love performing music that didn’t feel like “me” for someone to judge— who was also often, someone with rather different taste to me. And let’s face it, might not have had a stellar singing voice themselves. Eek sorry.
However, over the years, my perspective has softened a little. While working with younger singers (I worked as a vocal coach at ArtsEd many years ago, preparing young artists for lives on stage and screen) I began to see the value in the modern, more flexible system of vocal grades, particularly for those who wanted structured learning. So like all things in life there are pros and cons.
Some of the The Benefits
1. Simple Route to Repertoire
Selecting appropriate repertoire can be a challenge for developing singers. The Rockschool grade books provide invaluable guidance here. They offer material tailored to specific grades and vocal ranges, addressing challenges like breath support, transitioning between registers, tone consistency, and expression. These books are updated regularly to remain relevant and diverse, and they allow singers to personalise their songs by choosing the most suitable key.
2. Structured, Consolidated Learning
Grade books provide everything in one place: sheet music, backing tracks (with and without vocals), and lyrics. There’s something comforting about having a physical textbook—it’s organised, easy to use, and supports focused learning.
3. Comprehensive Musical Education
Vocal grades go beyond singing. They introduce students to sight-reading, ear training, improvisation, and reading sheet music. For those aiming to attend music schools, grades can provide an advantage, as some institutions prefer applicants who’ve completed them.
4. Flexible Usage
While grading can offer goals and proof of ability, it isn’t necessary for everyone. Singers can use the repertoire books without participating in formal exams, making them adaptable for all kinds of learners.
Some of the Challenges of Grades
Vocal Choices May Be Affected by Knowing There’s a Judge
It’s not uncommon for contemporary singers to significantly alter a song when performing covers—changing the key, adjusting the vocal qualities, or even modifying the melody or octave for different sections. These adjustments bring more originality to the song and allow the singer to make the song fit their unique voice. After all, the goal when singing contemporary music is to sound original, authentic, comfortable, and expressive, as well as “good” or “correct.”
In contemporary commercial music (CCM), artistic choices may seem unconventional, but they often enhance the singer’s emotional connection to the song, aligning with their artistic vision. The more original, the better, in my opinion. However, when performing for grades, singers must also consider what will be judged as “good” or “right” by the examiner. This can sometimes make it difficult to fully embrace an unconventional approach, as it may not align with traditional expectations.
When performing covers for grades, we don’t always know if the judge is comparing the performance to the original recording, or if they’re judging based on whether the performance itself simply sounds good—regardless of how closely it aligns with the original. After all, many grade books provide specific song guidance, suggesting there may be things the examiner is expecting. In my opinion, everything is an artistic choice. Ultimately, singing isn’t about following rules; it’s about storytelling. Technique supports the voice, but it’s the story and emotional impact that make the performance memorable. We would never want vocal grades to stifle creativity.
Avoiding Imitation: Finding Your Voice
A common challenge for contemporary singers is the temptation to imitate, learning covers, particularly to backing tracks can encourage this more. Many singers feel their voice must match the original singer’s key or that they should replicate their stylistic choices. But contemporary music thrives on individuality. Furthermore, vocal “faults” can add character, and limitations can shape a unique sound. That said, this doesn’t mean you should settle for a limited voice if it doesn’t work with the music you want to sing —growth and evolution through consistent practice are what singing lessons are all about.
Make It Your Own
Ultimately, contemporary singing is about authenticity. It’s not about copying someone else but discovering what makes your voice special and bringing that to the forefront. It’s a process of both celebration and evolution—celebrating what you have while expanding through practice and experimentation. Whether you’re working on a graded piece or exploring your own material, the goal should be to make it your own and that is definitely something to check out against any graded material syllabus requirements.
The Physical Pleasure of Singing
One last thing I really wanted to mention is that one of the most rewarding aspects of singing is the physical pleasure it brings when it feels comfortable and natural and this does translate to the listener. They connect with it instinctively. I think this is a good goal for singers. Watching a singer who seems at ease and confident with their material—no matter how much work it took to get there—makes their performance compelling (and enjoyable to do!) Yes, it’s essential to stretch beyond your comfort zone some of the time (and the comfort zone does grow over time), but the ultimate goal for a lot of music should be pleasure, comfort and flow, it sounds better!
In Conclusion
Vocal grades offer an array of benefits that can significantly enrich a learning singer’s journey. From broadening repertoire choices to nurturing essential vocal techniques and fostering artistic expression, the structured approach of vocal grades can be a valuable tool for singers who wish to explore them.
That said, not every singer needs grades to thrive. Around 10% of my clients use them, while the rest pursue alternative paths. Whatever choice you make, remember that singing is ultimately about storytelling and connection. Technique is the foundation, but your artistry and voice are what make you unforgettable.
For more information on Rockschool graded repertoire, you can find their downloadable materials here.
