UKULELE Grade 1

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Please note the new and updated Ukulele syllabus below is valid from June 2014.
Click here to view the previous Ukulele syllabus in our archive area which is valid until end of December 2014 >>

UKULELE 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 10 Marks For
 RHYTHM OR PLAYING A PIECE FROM MEMORY

RHYTHM
Play an accompaniment to either OVER THE RAINBOW (Alfred’s Basic Ukulele Method 1) or AMAZING GRACE (Hal Leonard Ukulele Method Book 1) – this should include one variation 
(* candidates opting for the rhythm option are welcome to perform this with a second player providing the lead/melody line or if preferred they can use a pre-recording of the lead/melody line.  However a rhythm accompaniment may be performed independently of a melody/lead line in which instance a copy of the performed rhythm(s) must be written out using a single note and standard notation for the examiner)

OR instead    

PLAYING A PIECE FROM MEMORY
You can play one of your chosen listed or ‘own choice’ piece from memory (*candidates choosing this option will be required to play their chosen piece without sight of the manuscript or any prompt. The memory option is to be performed in addition to playing the selected piece for the performance part of the exam)
Up to 10 Marks for
 MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE
The candidate will be asked five questions by the examiner.  These will be derived from any of the performed pieces and will cover both standard notation and tablature for example; time and key signatures, note values/types, rests, terms, marks of expression, dynamics as well as general performance directions
Up To 5 Marks For
 CHORDS
To play five of the following chords as requested by the examiner:D7 (2223 OR 2020), G6 (0202), Gdim7 (0101), Em (0432), B♭ three stringed version (321x) – plus any chords from Foundation 1 and 2.   Candidates will be required to play each string separately and as a single strum
Playing Skills Guide For This Grade
 RANGE
One octave

IN ADDITION
Octave leaps / quavers / new key of F major / new note of B♭ and accidentals F♯ / anacrusis / tied notes
CORE SYLLABUS PIECES FOR UKULELE GRADE 1
 Piece(s)
 Book
 ISBN Number
OVER THE RAINBOW
CLEMENTINE		 ALFRED’S BASIC
UKULELE METHOD 1		 10: 0-7390-7349-4
AMAZING GRACE
FRERE JACQUES
SKIP TO MY LOU		 HAL LEONARD
UKULELE METHOD BOOK 1		 978-0-634-07726-5
Click here for ‘OWN CHOICE’ ZONE

© Nationwide Music Examinations 2014

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