Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Ukulele
Grade 2
The Grade 2 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for one year to eighteen months. They have mastered the key basic skills up to Grade 1 and since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. There is also the continuing opportunity to develop improvisation skills.
There are two types of exams available at Grade 2, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 20 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 20 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Rockschool Ukulele Grade 2 book contains everything you need to pass your Grade 2 exam in one essential book. Featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Pharrell Williams, The Killers and David Bowie.
Ukulele Grade 2
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary Ukulele players. This book will provide you...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 2
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Repub...
Performance Pieces
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Grade 2 they are short, typically one to one and a half minutes 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:
- David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust
- Coldplay – Trouble
- The Killers – Mr. Brightside
- How Far I’ll Go – From Disney’s Moana
- James Bay – Hold Back the River
- Pharrell Williams – Happy
Technical Exercises
At Grade 2 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios and Chord Voicings.
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.
Groups A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group C is played as indicated below.
GROUP A – Scales
Tempo = 80bpm
Rhythms: Quarter notes
Range: As shown in the grade book
- D major
- Bb major
- C minor pentatonic
- C blues
- C major on strings 3 & 4
GROUP B – Arpeggios
Tempo = 80bpm
Rhythms: Quarter notes
Range: As shown in the grade book
- D major
- B minor
- Bb major (candidates can prepare either fingering shown in the grade book)
- G minor (candidates can prepare either fingering shown in the grade book)
GROUP C – Chord Voicings
1. Major & Minor Chords
Each chord to be strummed as directed by the examiner. Note: for each chord type, candidates must demonstrate both fingerings
- B major
- G minor
2. 7th Chords
Each chord to be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
- Gmaj7
- G7
- Gm7
3. Suspended Chords
Tempo = 80bpm
Candidates must play the given suspended chord exercise in the grade book as a continuous exercise to a 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: 4 bars
- Rhythms: Quarter notes and quarter-note rests, eighth notes
- Key: D major or Bb minor
- Pitches and instrumental compass: Open–4th fret, any diatonic notes in D or Bb major on 1st, 2nd or 3rd string
- Tempo = 80
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: 4 bars
- Key: D major or Bb minor
- Improvisation & interpretation requirement: Single-note melodies only
- Tempo = 85
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 Rhythmic Recall. The examiner will play each test twice.
Melodic Recall
Tempo: 85bpm
The examiner will play a two bar melody with a drum backing using the C minor pentatonic scale. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be ascending. The candidate must then 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 practise. Next, candidates will hear a vocal count-in, after which they must play the melody to the drum backing.
Rhythmic Recall
Tempo: 90bpm
The examiner will play a two bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the high A string. The candidate will hear the test twice, then will be asked to play the rhythm back. The candidate will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two printed examples shown.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by four clicks. There will be a short gap for practise. Next, the candidate will hear a vocal count-in, after which they must play the rhythm to the drum backing.
General Musicianship Questions
Candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge relating to a performance piece of the candidate’s choosing, and the fifth question asked will be about the candidate’s instrument.
Music Knowledge
The examiner will ask the candidate four music knowledge questions based on a piece of music performed in the exam. Candidates will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
In Grade 2 candidates will be asked to identify:
- The pitch name of notes
- The meaning of the time signature marking
- Whole, half, quarter, eighth and 16th note values
- Rest values
- The construction of a major or minor chord
Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding their instrument.
In Grade 2 candidates will be asked to identify one of the following parts of the ukulele:
- Three of the following parts of the ukulele: Neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, nut, soundhole, or bridge
- Names of all open strings
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. |
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 |
