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Grade 1 Exam Boundaries
Grade 1 Exam Boundaries
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.
Crotchet
Crotchet
ONE beat long note
Minim
Minim
TWO beat long note
Dotted Minim
Dotted Minim
THREE beat long note
Semibreve
Semibreve
FOUR beat long note
Quavers
Quavers
HALF a beat each
Crochet Rest
Crochet Rest
ONE beat long rest
Minim Rest
Minim Rest
TWO beat long rest
Semibreve Rest
Semibreve Rest
FOUR beat long rest
Rhythm Reading Practice
Rhythm Reading Practice
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.
Play some of the rhythms on these sheets - download a free metronome or tap your foot to keep in time.
Play some of the rhythms on these sheets - download a free metronome or tap your foot to keep in time.
All of the notes here are E, but you can use any notes you like.
All of the notes here are E, but you can use any notes you like.
You could even compose your own song using these rhythms.
You could even compose your own song using these rhythms.
Clarinet rhythms easy copy.pdfClarinet rhythms quavers copy.pdfNote reading practice.
Note reading practice.
Name That Note is free online game for practicing your note reading skills. Click on the link below. It's free to play.
Name That Note is free online game for practicing your note reading skills. Click on the link below. It's free to play.
Here are some fun apps to practice note recognition. These are not free, but StaffWars is just 99p on most app stores.
Here are some fun apps to practice note recognition. These are not free, but StaffWars is just 99p on most app stores.
Now try playing these bars of music. Go as slowly as you need to, to be accurate.
Now try playing these bars of music. Go as slowly as you need to, to be accurate.
Key Signatures - You will be expected to know the following key signatures.
Key Signatures - You will be expected to know the following key signatures.
1 sharp means F#
1 sharp means F#
Every time you see an F, play F#.
(unless there is a natural sign)
1 flat means Bb
1 flat means Bb
Every time you see a B, play Bb.
(unless there is a natural sign)
All your questions about flats and sharps answered!
All your questions about flats and sharps answered!
All your questions about key signatures answered!
All your questions about key signatures answered!
Try the following bars of music - remember to check the key signatures before you start.
Try the following bars of music - remember to check the key signatures before you start.
Notes and Rhythms Together
Notes and Rhythms Together
Try these bars of music - remember to keep checking for the key signature
Try these bars of music - remember to keep checking for the key signature
It's not all about the notes and rhythms...
It's not all about the notes and rhythms...
Dynamics - Volume
Dynamics - Volume
Piano
Piano
Soft
Mezzo Piano
Mezzo Piano
Medium Soft
Mezzo Forte
Mezzo Forte
Medium Loud
Forte
Forte
Loud
Crescendo
Crescendo
Getting Louder
Diminuendo
Diminuendo
Getting Quieter
Articulation - the way you play the note
Articulation - the way you play the note
Staccato
Staccato
Short and detached
Slurred
Slurred
Joined together - only the first note tongued
Accent
Accent
An emphasis on the beginning of each note
Tempo - Speed
Tempo - Speed
Lento - Slowly
Andante - Walking Tempo
Moderato - Moderate speed (not fast, not slow)
Allegro - Fast
Play these pieces and spot the difference in the details
Play these pieces and spot the difference in the details
Spot the difference 1.pdfSpot the difference 2.pdfHere are examples of sight-reading you might get in your exam.
Here are examples of sight-reading you might get in your exam.
Sight-reading check list
Sight-reading check list
Check the key signature
Check the time signature
Decide what speed your beat is
Look for dynamics and articulations
Practice the hardest bits first
In the exam you will get 30 seconds to practice before you play it "for real".
In the exam you will get 30 seconds to practice before you play it "for real".
Gd 1 sightreading.pdfWant to do even more sight-reading?
Want to do even more sight-reading?
Find some pieces in your books that you haven't played yet and trying playing all or part of one. Think about the rhythms, the notes and all the extras like dynamics and articulation.
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