Contemporary Piano Grade 1

CONTEMPORARY 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 your chosen 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 play one of your chosen core 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)
Playing Skills Guide For This Grade
RIGHT HAND
Dotted crotchet-quaver timing between various beats of the bar

LEFT HAND
Four constant crotchets per bar and eight quavers per bar

TIMING
Dotted crotchet/quaver / syncopation

IN ADDITION
Minim, crotchet and quaver rest / use of sustain pedal / section lines / three and four-four time / two treble clefs.

CORE SYLLABUS PIECES FOR CONTEMPORARY PIANO GRADE 1
 PIECE(S)
 BOOK
 ISBN NUMBER
ELEANOR RIGBY
HEY JUDE
THE BEATLES
23 GREAT HITS
978-1-84609-044-8
LOVE ME TENDER FILM TUNES
THE AFTERNOON PIANIST
1-84449-028-9
CHIM CHIM CHER-EE MAKING THE GRADE
GRADE 2
0-7119-2527-5
IN THE EYES OF A TIGER REALLY EASY JAZZIN` ABOUT 0-571-52089-8
Click here for ‘OWN CHOICE’ ZONE

© Nationwide Music Examinations 2014