Digital Piano Grade 1

PLEASE NOTE: This syllabus is valid until the end of January 2015.  Please see new syllabus from July 2014 onwards.

DIGITAL PIANO GRADE 1

What’s Involved?

Up To 75 Marks For
You are required to play THREE pieces (each one attracts 25 marks)

You can elect to play:

  • all three pieces from those listed within our syllabus
  • OR you can opt for three pieces of your own choice (*please find guidance in ‘Own Choice’ Zone)
  • OR you can mix repertoire featuring in our syllabus list combined with pieces of your own choice (*again please visit ‘Own Choice’ Zone for guidance)
Up To 15 Marks For
KEYBOARD HARMONY OR PLAYING A PIECE FROM MEMORY (either of these elements qualifies for 15 marks)

KEYBOARD HARMONY

  1. Play the tonic and dominant triads in root and first inversion right hand only from any two of the examination pieces – different keys should be used
  2. Play four of the following chords as requested by the examiner: C, F and G major and A, D and E minor – these should be played in both root and first inversion, three notes in the right hand, root in the left

OR instead

PLAYING A PIECE FROM MEMORY
You can elect play one of your chosen listed or ‘own choice’ piece from memory

Up To 10 Marks For
MUSICAL UNDERSTANDING
You will be asked to explain any symbol, musical term or sign and to answer questions relating to the notation that occurs in any of your chosen exam pieces (maximum of five questions)
Use Of Digital Piano
You need to use three of the listed functions/features of your digital piano

  1. The use of different piano voices
  2. The use of digital effects, such as brilliance and different types of reverb
  3. Registration memories (if available)
  4. Use of the sustain pedal
Playing Skills Guide For This Grade
RIGHT HAND
Dotted crotchet – quaver timing / dotted quaver – semiquaver timing

LEFT HAND
Constant four crotchets / eight quavers per bar

IN ADDITION
Minim, crotchet and quaver rests / accidentals / syncopation / marks of expression / repeats / simple time signature

CORE SYLLABUS PIECES FOR DIGITAL PIANO GRADE 1
 PIECE(S)
 BOOK
 ISBN NUMBER
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA MAKING THE GRADE
GRADE 1 REVISED & UPDATED EDITION
0-7119-9100-6
MAMMA MIA
LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME
REALLY EASY PIANO ABBA
25 GREAT HITS
1-84449-569-8
IN THE EYES OF A TIGER REALLY EASY JAZZIN’ ABOUT
FUN PIECES FOR PIANO/KEYBOARD
0-571-52089-8
Click here for ‘OWN CHOICE’ ZONE

© Nationwide Music Examinations 2014