Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Ukulele
Grade 4
The Grade 4 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for two to three years and who are ready for intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 3 and since acquired greater use of technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will be developing a sense of expression and continuing to broaden their stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which will be growing in assurance and articulation.
There are three types of exams available: Grade Exam, Graded Certificate or Performance Certificate.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 27 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 24 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Rockschool Ukulele Grade 4 book contains everything you need to pass your Grade 4 exam in one essential book. Featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world’s most iconic artists, including The Specials, Paul Simon and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Ukulele Grade 4
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary Ukulele players. This book will provide you...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 4
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...
Performance Pieces
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Grade 4 they are typically in the region of two to two and a half minutes in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.
Featured Repertoire:
- Use Me – Bill Withers
- Let Her Go – Passenger
- Havana – Camila Cabello
- Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Ghost Town – The Specials
- Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard – Paul Simon
Technical Exercises
At Grade 4 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios and Chords.
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 = 80bpm
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: As shown in the grade book
The following scales need to be prepared from the root notes Eb, E and F:
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
The following scales need to be prepared from the root notes shown only, with the given fingering:
- C# minor pentatonic across two positions
- E major pentatonic across two positions
- D blues scale on strings 3 & 4
- G major | linear pattern on one string
- C natural minor | linear pattern on one string
GROUP B – Arpeggios
Tempo = 80bpm
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: As shown in the grade book
The following arpeggios need to be prepared from the root notes Eb, E and F:
- Major
- Minor
- Dominant 7
- Minor 7
The following arpeggios need to be performed in the keys shown only, with the given fingering:
- Eb dominant 7 arpeggio on four strings
- C minor 7 arpeggio on four strings
GROUP C – Chord Voicings
The tempo for this group is q = 80 bpm.
1. Harmonised scale
Barre chord shapes in the key of Eb, E or F major, to be played in sequence to continuous click.
The chord types (in sequence) are I, IIm, IIIm, IV, V, VIm, VII dim, I.
Tempo = 80.
Please note, candidates can choose between exercise 2 or exercise 3 below:
Either:
2. Muted chords and 16th note strumming
To be played to continuous click. Note candidates must play with a swung 16th note groove.
Or:
3. TripleStrokes
To be played to continuous click.
Supporting Tests
Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation
In this section, candidates can choose between a Sight Reading test or an Improvisation & Interpretation test. The examiner will ask which the candidate has chosen before then showing the test. Once the candidate has chosen, they cannot change their mind.
Sight Reading
- Duration: 8 bars
- Rhythms: Quarter notes and quarter-note rests, eighth notes and eighth-note rests, ties
- Key: E major or F minor
- Tempo = 80-90bpm
Candidates will have 90 seconds to practise after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. During the practice time, candidates will be given the option of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.
The backing track is continuous so once the first playthrough has finished the count-in of the second playing will start immediately.
Improvisation & Interpretation
- Duration: 8 bars
- Key: E major or F minor
- Improvisation & interpretation requirement: Single-note melodies only
- Tempo = 80–90bpm
Candidates will have 90 seconds to practise after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. During the practice time, candidates will be given the option of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.
The backing track is continuous so once the first playthrough has finished the count-in of the second playing will start immediately.
Ear Tests
There are two tests: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall. The examiner will play each test twice.
Melodic Recall
Tempo: 90bpm
The examiner will play a two bar melody with a drum backing using either the C# minor pentatonic or E major pentatonic scales. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be ascending. 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 then play the melody to the drum backing.
Harmonic Recall
Tempo = 90bpm
Candidates will hear a tonic chord followed by a two bar chord sequence in the key of C major, played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be a selection drawn from the I, IV, and V chords and may occur in any combination.
Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing using the rhythm shown 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. There will then be a count-in and tonic for the third time followed by a vocal count-in, after which candidates will need to play the chords to the drum backing. Candidates will then need to name the chord sequence.
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 the candidate four music knowledge questions based on a piece of performed in the exam. Candidates will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
In Grade 4 the examiner can draw on the following subject areas for these questions:
- Names of pitches
- The meaning of the time signature and the key signature markings
- Repeat marks, first and second time bars, D.C., D.S., al Coda and al Fine markings
- Whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth, dotted eighth, triplet eighth-notes and 16th-note values
- Whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth, dotted eighth, triplet eighth, 16th-note rests and rest combinations
- The construction of any chord found within the piece from the following types: Major 7, minor 7, dominant 7, diminished, major 6 or minor 6
- The meaning of any dynamic or articulation markings shown on the score
Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask one question regarding a technical consideration of the 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
Exam Structure
There are three types of exam available, a Grade Exam, Graded Certificate, 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 |
Graded Certificate
| 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 75% of the exam mark |
| Technical Exercises | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 25% of the exam mark |
Performance Certificate
| 5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) | These account for 20% of the exam mark each. |
Assessment Criteria
(Please note: Graded Certificates consist of just Performance Pieces and Technical Exercises. Please see the exam structure tab for more info)
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 |
