Ukulele Debut
The Debut Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been learning a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, co-ordination and musical understanding. There is also an opportunity for basic improvisation.
Exam time
Grade Exam: 10 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 10 minutes (approx.)
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An ideal introduction to stringed instrument technique
The Rockschool Ukulele Debut book contains everything you need to pass your Debut exam in one essential book. Featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world's most iconic artists, including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars & Bob Dylan.
Exam Structure
There are two types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Grade Exam
| 3 Performance Pieces (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces) | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 60% of the exam mark |
| Technical Exercises (Section A, B, C and D for Level 3 qualifications) | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 15% of the exam mark |
| Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation (Debut to Grade 5); Quick Study Pieces (Grade 6 to Grade 8) | Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform | This accounts for 10% of the exam marks |
| 2 Ear Tests | Candidates respond to 2 aural tests. | These account for 10% of the exam marks |
| 5 General Musicianship Questions | Candidates answer 5 questions based on one of the pieces performed | These account for 5% of the exam marks |
Performance Certificate
| 5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) | These account for 20% of the exam mark each. |
Performance Pieces
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Debut they are short, typically up to one minute in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can concentrate on the requirements of notation accuracy, values, evenness of sound, tone quality/consistency, technical control and sync at a beginner level.
Featured Repertoire:
- Imagine Dragons - Demons
- Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door'
- Bill Withers - Lean On Me
- Bruno Mars - Marry You
- U2 - One
- Taylor Swift - Shake it Off
Technical Exercises
There are three types of technical exercises in Rockschool’s Ukulele grade examinations:
Group A – Scales
Group B – Arpeggios
Group C – Chord voicings
Groups A and B need to be played to a compulsory metronome click. The examiner will ask for two demonstrations from each group, unless otherwise stated in the grade book. The book can be used in the exam for Groups A and B for all Ukulele grades.
Group C does not require a metronome and can be played at a tempo of the candidate’s choice. For Group C, candidates will be required to close their grade books, or ensure the information on any electronic device is out of view, and play from memory.
Note: The use of any notes or any reading from the grade book when performing Group C will impact on the marks awarded for this element.
Supporting Tests
At Debut, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
Sight Reading
The examiner will provide a 4-6 bar melody in the key of C major. Candidates will be given 90 seconds to practise.
Improvisation & Interpretation
The examiner will provide a 4-6 bar chord progression in the key of C major. Candidates will be given 90 seconds to practise.
Ear Tests
At Debut there are two ear tests: Melodic Recall and Chord Recognition. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
Melodic Recall
The examiner will play two consecutive notes. Candidates will need to identify whether the last note is higher or lower than the first.
Chord Recognition
The examiner will play a sequence of chords, each with a C root note. Candidates will need to identify which chord played was major and which chord was minor.
General Musicianship Questions (GMQ's)
For the General Musicianship Questions, the examiner may use his or her version of the selected piece as the basis to ask the questions if such notes contained on the candidate’s version are deemed sufficiently extensive or might assist the candidate when answering the questions.
At Debut candidates will be asked five questions, one from each of the following groups:
- One question relating to harmony
- One question relating to melody
- One question relating to rhythm
- One question relating to technical requirements
- One question relating to genre
Candidates can choose the piece on which basis the questions will be asked. It must be one of the pieces performed in the exam. The exact bars or phrases will be chosen by the examiner.
Assessment Criteria
Performance Pieces
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-11 | 12-14 | 15-17 | 18-20 |
| Grade Descriptor | Insecure basic techniques Inconsistent awareness of timing/pulse Inconsistent use of rhythm, duration and phrasing Insecure sync/continuity Insecure use of articulation, expression and dynamic | Secure basic techniques some of the time Awareness of timing/pulse some of the time Basic ability to use rhythm, duration and phrasing accurately some of the time Use of basic sync/continuity some of the time Basic ability to use articulation, expression and dynamics some of the time | Mostly secure basic techniques Awareness of timing/pulse most of the time Basic ability to use rhythm, duration and phrasing accurately most of the time Use of basic sync/continuity most of the time Basic ability to use articulation, expression and dynamics most of the time | Consistently secure basic techniques Awareness of timing/pulse throughout Basic ability to use rhythm, duration and phrasing accurately throughout Use of basic sync/continuity throughout Basic ability to use articulation, expression and dynamics throughout |
Technical Exercises
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-8 | 9-10 | 11-12 | 13-15 |
| Grade Descriptor | Inability to maintain pulse or tempo accurately Inability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases accurately | Basic ability to maintain pulse and tempo some of the time Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases some of the time | Basic ability to maintain pulse and tempo most of the time Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases most of the time | Basic ability to maintain pulse and tempo consistently Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases consistently |
Ear Tests
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-5 | 6 | 7-8 | 9-10 |
| Grade Descriptor | Incorrect responses | Some correct responses | Mostly correct responses | Consistently correct responses |
Supporting Tests Sight Reading/Improvisation & Interpretation
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-5 | 6 | 7-8 | 9-10 |
| Grade Descriptor | Insecure ability to read basic notation OR inability to improvise rhythm, harmony and melody | Secure ability to read basic rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation some of the time OR Secure ability to improvise basic rhythm, harmony and melody some of the time | Mostly secure ability to read basic rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation OR Mostly secure ability to improvise basic rhythm, harmony and melody | Consistently secure ability to read basic rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation OR Consistently secure ability to improvise basic rhythm, harmony and melody |
Supporting Tests (General Musicianship Questions)
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-2 correct responses | 3 correct responses | 4 correct responses | 5 correct responses |
Additional Information
Free Choice Pieces
For all examinations, candidates are able to play a number of free choice pieces:
- Grade Examinations: Two free choice pieces (a minimum of one piece must be from the Ukulele grade book)
- Performance Certificates: Three free choice pieces (a minimum of two pieces must be from the Ukulele grade book)
- Free choice pieces must demonstrate a comparable level of technical and musical demand to the pieces given in the set selections in
the grade books which can be referred to as an indication of appropriate level. - Free choice pieces must be in a modern popular genre such as Pop; Rock; Jazz; Country; Blues; Soul; Reggae, Film and Musical Theatre.
- Own compositions are also acceptable. Pieces should be selected carefully to ensure that they provide suitable opportunity for candidates to demonstrate the relevant assessment criteria.
Candidates are reminded that if a chosen Free Choice Piece does not
meet these requirements this may impact on the level of achievement possible within the examination.
All pieces must be performed to a backing track (without the examined part on the track) except in cases where a piece has been selected from previous Rockschool syllabi and does not have a backing track or has been specifically arranged by Rockschool as a solo piece.
Candidates are reminded that RSL examination regulations state that pieces must be performed to the exact requirements as detailed in the relevant syllabus guide. If a performance piece over runs, the examiner can halt the performance and grade material demonstrated until that point only. Candidate mark sheets in this instance will automatically be referred to the Head of Assessment at RSL and may be returned to the candidate with accompanying notes.
Free Choice Pieces must be available in fully notated sheet music. Candidates need to bring a copy of the sheet music for the examiner to refer to during the examination. It is acceptable for candidates to refer to their own duplicate copy during the performance. Candidates are reminded that both copies need to fully reflect the interpretation and intended performance of the piece. Examiners will retain all photocopied materials from the exam session.
If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of the chosen piece, please contact freechoicepieces@rslawards.com.
Instrument Specifications
Candidates are reminded that it is their responsibility to select and provide an appropriate musical instrument for each syllabus to allow demonstration of the relevant stylistic and technical skills within their performance.
At all levels of examination, if any outcomes or assessed criteria cannot be demonstrated or are demonstrated less securely as a result of the equipment, this may be reflected in the marks awarded.
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Dates & Fees
Next exam period:
01 February 20 - 31 March 20