Technical Specifications :-
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can concentrate on the requirements of notation accuracy, values, evenness of sound, tone quality/ consistency, technical control and sync at a beginner level.
At Grade 1 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios and Chord Voicings.
All scales and arpeggios need to be played hands separately, in straight feel, ascending and descending. Pentatonic scales are right hand only.
The examiner will ask for a selection from each group and Groups A and B need to be played to a compulsory metronome click. Group C does not require a metronome and can be played at a tempo of the candidate’s choice.
The book can be used in the exam for Groups A and B. Group C needs to be played from memory. For Group C, candidates will be required to close their grade books.
Note: the use of any notes or any reading from the grade book when performing Group C will result in a deduction of marks for this element. (See Assessment Criteria).
Any fingerings shown in the grade book are for suggestions only.
GROUP A – Scales
Tempo: 60 bpm Range: Two Octaves Rhythms: Eighth notes, finishing on a quarter note
Group B: Arpeggios Tempo: 100bpm Time signature: 3/4 Rhythms: Quarter notes, finishing on a dotted half note
GROUP C – Chord Voicings
At Grade 1, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation and Interpretation. Both are previously unseen and examples of each are given in the grade book.
Key: F major or G major Tempo: 70bpm Time signature: 4/4 Rhythms: Whole, half, quarter notes, associated rests
The Sight Reading test is in the form of a 4–6 bar melody.
Candidates will have 90 seconds to practise after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. For the first play through, there will be four clicks. For the test, there will be a one bar count in. During the practice time, candidates will be given the option of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.
The backing track is continuous so once the first playthrough has finished the count-in of the second playing will start immediately.
Key: F major or G major Tempo: 70bpm Time signature: 4/4
The Improvisation test is in the form of a 4–6 bar chord progression, with all chord symbols indicated.
Candidates are required to improvise single note melodies with either left or right hand. It is permissible to play chord voicings, or use both hands, but marks will only be awarded for melodic content.
Candidates will have 90 seconds to practise after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one bar count-in. During the practice time, candidates will be given the option of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.
At Grade 1 there are two ear tests: Melodic Recall and Chord Recognition. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
Melodic Recall Tempo: 95bpm Rhythms: Whole, half notes
The examiner will play three notes one after the other. Candidates are to state whether the second note is higher or lower in pitch than the first and whether the third note is higher or lower in pitch than the second. The test will be played twice, each time preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will also be a C root note at the beginning of the test for reference. For this exercise, candidates are to use the words ‘higher’ or ‘lower’.
Credit will be given for speed of response.
Chord Recognition Tempo: 95bpm Rhythms: Whole notes
The examiner will play a sequence of chords each with a C root note, then ask the candidate to state the chord quality of each chord from a choice of major, minor, diminished or augmented. The test will be played twice, each time preceded by a one-bar count-in.
At Grade 1 candidates will be asked five questions, one from each of the following groups:
Candidates can choose the piece on which basis the questions will be asked. It must be one of the pieces performed in the exam.
The exact bars or phrases will be chosen by the examiner.
The questions will cover the following topics:
Group 1: Harmony Interval construction of major / minor / augmented / diminished triad chords
Group 2: Melody Pitches in the bass clef within the stave.
Group 3: Rhythm Whole, half, quarter, eighth notes, associated rests. Eighth note triplets.
Group 4: Technical Fingering used in a minim length phrase. (Either hand).
Group 5: Genre Different artists from the same genre as the piece chosen.