Ukulele Grade 8
The Grade 8 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for five years or more and have now consolidated their playing to a high level. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 7 and developed heightened technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency, co-ordination and musical understanding. Candidates will be able to improvise to an advanced level with effortless assurance and personality plus demonstrate seamless musical form and structure. There will be an innate stylistic conviction and distinctive musicality with strong individuality. Communication will be commanding.
There are two types of exam available at Grade 8, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Buy Your Book
The Rockschool Ukulele Grade 8 book contains everything you need to pass your Grade 8 exam in one essential book. Featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world's most iconic artists, including Jake Shimabukuro, Taimane Gardner and Chick Corea.
Exam Structure
There are two types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Grade Exam
Prepared Work
Candidates are required to play three performance pieces and Technical Exercises which cover scales, arpeggios, chords and stylistic studies.
Unprepared Work
Candidates are required to complete either a Quick Study Piece and two Ear Tests which continue to develop melodic and harmonic recall.
The Grade 8 exam lasts 32 minutes and is taken in the following order:
- Performance Pieces*
- Technical Exercises*
- Quick Study Piece
- Ear Tests
- General Musicianship Questions
*These elements can be taken first or second at the candidate’s request
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
Prepared Work
Candidates are required to play five performance pieces. There is no unprepared work in the Performance Certificate.
The Grade 8 Performance Certificate lasts 30 minutes.
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 Grade 8 they are longer, typically in the region of three to three and a half minutes in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.
Featured Repertoire:
- Bohemian Rhapsody – Jake Shimabukuro
- Fire – Taimane Gardner
- Cinema Paradiso (Love Theme) – Pat Metheny
- Holier Than Thou – Metallica
- Rather Be – Clean Bandit
- Spain – Chick Corea
Technical Exercises
At Grade 8 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, Chords and stylistic studies.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A: Scales
Tempo: 100bpm
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
Range: As shown in grade book
Each of the following scale types needs to be prepared from the root notes E, F, F# and G
- Whole tone
- Diminished
- Altered
Each of the following scales needs to be prepared from the root notes shown only:
- Chromatic scale on one string | starting on any open string (G, C, E or A)
- E phrygian mode | campanella style
- C major | in sixths on strings 3 & 4
In addition, candidates must prepare the following from previous grades:
Linear scales with root notes on any of the four open strings (G, C, E or A) as specified by the examiner.
(continued)
2. Any of the following scales or modes from previous grades played campanella style:
- D natural minor
- D harmonic minor
- E natural minor
- E dorian mode
- C major
- G major
Tempo: 100bpm
One octave
Eighth notes, finishing on a quarter note
Ascending and descending
Group B: Arpeggios
Tempo: 100bpm
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
Range: As shown in grade book
Each of the following arpeggio types needs to be prepared from the root notes E, F, F# and G:
- Dominant 7#5 arpeggio
- Dominant 7b5 arpeggio
- Dominant 7b9 arpeggio
- Minor/major 9 arpeggio
In addition, candidates must prepare the following from previous grades:
Tempo: 100bpm
One octave
Eighth notes, finishing on a quarter note
Ascending and descending
- E minor 6 arpeggio on four strings
- G minor 7 arpeggio on four strings
Group C: Chords
Altered chords. Candidates must perform both voicings to continuous click
- F dominant 7#5 | two voicings
- F dominant 7b5 | two voicings
Altered chords. Candidates must perform the voicing shown in the grade book when directed by the examiner
- C dominant 7#9 | one voicing only, as shown in grade book
- C dominant 7b9 | one voicing only, as shown in grade book
Group D : Stylistic Studies
Candidates will prepare a stylistic study from the grade book, drawn from one group of styles from the list below and perform it to the backing track. The choice of style will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece, for example, if candidates choose a rock & pop Stylistic Study then the examiner will give a rock & pop Quick Study Piece in that section of the exam.
Styles:
- Rock and Pop
- Soul, Jazz and Blues
- Ukulele Specialist
Supporting Tests
At this grade candidates will be asked to prepare and play a short Quick Study Piece (QSP). The QSP chosen will be a previously unseen example, but similar to those provided as exemplar material in the grade book.
Candidates will be shown the test and played the track with the notated parts played. Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated. Candidates will then have three minutes to study the test. The backing track will be played twice more. Candidates will be allowed to practise during the first playing of the backing track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track.
The style of the QSP is determined by the Stylistic Study selected by the candidate in the technical exercise section. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and candidates must create their own interpretation of the music in the parts where instructed to do so.
Styles:
- Rock & Pop
- Blues & Country
- Acoustic Specialist
Ear Tests
There are two Ear Tests in this grade. The examiner will play each test twice.
Test 1: Melodic Recall
The examiner will play a two bar melody with a bass and drum backing using the F major, F harmonic minor or F natural minor scale. The first note of the melody will be either the root note or the fifth and the first interval will be either ascending or descending. Candidates will play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by four clicks. There will be a short gap for candidates to practise. Next there will be a vocal count-in and candidates will need to play the melody to the drum backing. The tempo is 90 bpm.
Test 2: Harmonic Recall
The examiner will play a tonic chord followed by a four bar chord sequence in the key of F major played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be a selection drawn from the following chords: I, IIm, IIIm, IV, V and VIm. The chords may occur in any combination. The I and IV chords can be either major or major 7 chords.
Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the example in the grade book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the sequence.
The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing. Candidates will hear the count-in and tonic for the third time followed by a vocal count-in, and will then need to play the chords to the drum backing. Candidates will then need to name the chord sequence, including the chord type and any chord extensions. The tempo is 90 bpm.
General Musicianship Questions
Candidates will be asked five questions about a performance piece of their choosing. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question asked will be about technical knowledge.
Music Knowledge
The examiner will ask candidates four music knowledge questions based on a piece of music they have played in the exam. Candidates will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
In Grade 8 the examiner can draw on the following subject areas for these questions:
- The names of pitches
- Any expressive musical marking found in the piece such as palm muting, accents, staccato, legato, vibrato
- Any dynamic marking found in the piece
- One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the piece you have played and its relation to the underlying harmony of the piece (if relevant)
or:
- How you developed a section of the piece (if relevant)
or:
- A stylistic feature of the piece characteristic of its genre
Technical Knowledge
The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding a technical consideration of your piece, in relation to:
- Picking hand: Strumming or picking technique for a short phrase (up to one bar) – demonstration is acceptable
- Fretting hand: Fretting position and fingering used to play a short phrase (up to one bar) – demonstration is acceptable
The examiner will choose the section of music and will ask candidates to give a brief explanation as to why the technique was appropriate for the chosen section.
Assessment Criteria
Performance Pieces
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 18–20 | 15–17 | 12–14 | 6–11 | 0–5 |
Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Accuracy & Understanding | all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Style & Expression | Consistently convincing projection of the music. | Mostly convincing projection of the music. | Some convincing projection of the music. | Music not convincingly projected. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Technical Exercises
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 13–15 | 11–12 | 9–10 | 4–8 | 0–3 |
Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Accuracy & Understanding | all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Ear Tests
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 9–10 | 7–8 | 6 | 3–5 | 0–2 |
Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Supporting Tests
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 9–10 | 7–8 | 6 | 3–5 | 0–2 |
Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
General Musicianship Questions
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 5 correct responses | 4 correct responses | 3 correct responses | 2 correct responses | 0–1 correct responses |
Performance Certificate
Attainment Band | Distinction | Merit | Pass | Below Pass | Below Pass 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Range | 18–20 | 15–17 | 12–14 | 6–11 | 0–5 |
Command of Instrument | Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout | Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall | Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality | Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Sync or Pulse | Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained | Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Accuracy & Understanding | All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. | Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. | Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. | Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
Style & Expression | Consistently convincing projection of the music. | Mostly convincing projection of the music. | Some convincing projection of the music. | Music not convincingly projected. | No attempt and/or incomplete performance |
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.
Free Choice Pieces can be performed to a backing track (without the examined part on the track), or as a solo piece (without backing track).
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.
Download the Ukulele Syllabus
Download the latest Ukulele Syllabus:
Ukulele Syllabus (2020 Edition)
For candidates taking the 2017-2020 Ukulele syllabus within the crossover period – up to 1st September 2021 – please download the syllabus below:
Ukulele Syllabus (2017 Edition)
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