Singing songbooks, sight-singing and supporting books

Start with your grade and whether you are taking a Practical Grade or a Performance Grade. For most customers, the quickest route is to open Syllabus Finder, confirm your level, then shop the Singing collection.

At lower grades, many customers begin with a grade-matched songbook and then add sight-singing support if needed. At higher grades, you may also need a repertoire title such as one of the Italian Arias volumes, depending on your programme and teacher guidance.

The ABRSM Songbook is a broader anthology that gives singers and teachers a larger bank of repertoire across the early grades. The ABRSM Songbook Plus is a more grade-specific series featuring material from ABRSM's 2018 Singing syllabus.

If you want a focused book for one grade, Songbook Plus is usually the clearer starting point. If you want a wider repertoire collection for study and lesson use, The ABRSM Songbook may be the better fit.

For Grades 1 to 5, most customers start with a grade-matched repertoire book such as The ABRSM Songbook Plus or the relevant ABRSM Songbook volume. If you are taking a Practical Grade, you may also want a sight-singing book such as Joining the Dots Singing or Specimen Sight-Singing Tests.

Buy by exact grade wherever possible so that the repertoire and support material match what you are preparing in lessons.

For Grades 6 to 8, start with the repertoire book or score set that matches your programme. Many higher-grade customers also buy one of the A Selection of Italian Arias volumes in high voice or low voice, depending on vocal range.

If you are taking a Practical Grade, add sight-singing support as needed. If you are building a Performance Grade programme, check whether any own-choice song also needs to be bought separately.

For Practical Grades, usually yes. Your songbook covers repertoire, but sight-singing is assessed separately, so many customers also add Specimen Sight-Singing Tests or Joining the Dots Singing.

For Performance Grades, not usually. Performance Grades focus on the song programme rather than separate sight-singing tests, so many customers buy repertoire books first and only add extra support material if they want it for general musicianship.

Buy standard Singing books if you are taking ABRSM Singing exams. Buy Singing for Musical Theatre books only if that is your exam route.

The routes use different repertoire and supporting materials, so it is worth checking this before you order. If you are unsure, confirm the exact route in Syllabus Finder first.

Choose the high voice or low voice edition according to your vocal range and your teacher's guidance. The shop carries both options for A Selection of Italian Arias 1600-1800, including Volumes I and II.

If you are unsure which edition suits you, check with your teacher before ordering, as the right voice range matters more than the volume alone.

Check the official ABRSM Singing pages and confirm your route in Syllabus Finder before you buy.

Then choose route-matched and grade-matched titles from the Singing collection, including songbooks, sight-singing books and any higher-grade repertoire you need.