Below are the rhythms and notes you will be expected to be able to read and play in the sight-reading part of your grade 1 exam. If you are not planning on taking a grade exam, this page will still be really useful for your playing and reading skills.
ONE beat long note
TWO beat long note
THREE beat long note
FOUR beat long note
HALF a beat each
ONE beat long rest
TWO beat long rest
FOUR beat long rest
Clap along to the rhythms in these videos.
You might notice that the video uses the Ta and Ti-ti system to name the notes. You might be used to using this with your teacher (except for here minims are called To-e). It's the official names of those notes, but it can be a helpful way to read the rhythms right.
One of the hardest things at Grade 1 is learning to read the low notes as they all have lots of ledger lines. Try playing some of these bars of music and use the notes at the top as a reference if you get stuck.
Every time you see an F, play F#.
(unless there is a natural sign)
Every time you see a B, play Bb.
(unless there is a natural sign)
Soft
Medium Soft
Medium Loud
Loud
Getting Louder
Getting Quieter
Short and detached
Joined together - only the first note tongued
An emphasis on the beginning of each note
Lento - Slowly
Andante - Walking Tempo
Moderato - Moderate speed (not fast, not slow)
Allegro - Fast
If you want to do more sight-reading practice, look in the back of your exam book for extra exercises. You could also find any piece of music you haven't played before and try playing it.