Initial Grade

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INITIAL GRADE BOOK
Musical Knowledge
​These questions test the candidate’s understanding of their chosen pieces, the context of their performance and their knowledge of their instrument and its technical demands, including best practice for rehearsal and performance.
Five questions, each worth 2 marks, will normally be asked. Questions will include discussions on most of the areas mentioned below, but not all parameters will be relevant to all disciplines and pieces, and examiners will select questions as appropriate. 

​Initial
  1. The pitch names - A, C, F# etc. and durations - 1 beat, 3 beats etc. (excluding those with ledger lines except middle C) in the pieces played.
  2. To identify, but not to explain clefs, stave, barlines and key/time signatures in the pieces played.
  3. Very simple musical terms and signs in the pieces, such as ‘repeat’, f and p.
  4. Questions about the connection between the titles of the pieces and the music played (e.g.what is an Allemande? Why is this piece called ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’?) 

Initial Grade tutor performances 

Chim Chim Cher-ee - 
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (group B, slow)
Chim Chim Cher-ee - 
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (group B)
Chim Chim Cher-ee (from “Mary Poppins”)
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (group B)
Chim Chim Cher-ee interesting information
A song from the 1960s musical, Mary Poppins about a chimney sweep
Hill and Gully Rider - Traditional Jamaican  (group B) slow
Hill and Gully Rider interesting information
A Traditional Jamaican call and response song
Hill and gully rider
(Hill and Gully)
Hill and gully rider
(Hill and Gully)

And you bend down, low down
(Hill and Gully)

And you bend down to the ground
(Hill and Gully)

And you better mind, you tumble down
(Hill and Gully)
Hill and Gully Rider - Traditional Jamaican
Hill and Gully Rider​ - Traditional Jamaican
Allemande - Michael Praetorius  (group A) slow
Allemande - Michael Praetorius  (group A)
Allemande interesting information 
​An early dance in 4/4 time
Initial Grade - technical exercise, scales and arpeggios 

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