what to expect

The Debut Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been learning for a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, coordination and musical understanding.

At Ukulele Debut you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Bruno Mars, Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift.

Key Features at Debut:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Duet Arrangements

what to expect

The Grade 1 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for six months to one year. They have mastered the key basic debut level skills and have since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. There is also an opportunity to build on basic improvisation.

At Ukulele Grade 1, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Jason Mraz, Adele, and Cat Stevens.

Key Features at Grade 1:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Duet Arrangements

what to expect

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.

At Ukulele Grade 2, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as The Killers, David Bowie, and James Bay.

Key Features at Grade 2:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Duet Arrangements

what to expect

Rockschool Band Exams are perfect for people who are in a band, learning together. Guitar, Bass and Drums candidates at Grade 3 level can be assessed together, with all instrumentalists playing the parts from the grade books as a group. The ability to play realistic parts while interacting with other musicians is invaluable training in itself and a feature that isn't available in any other syllabus.

what to expect

The Grade 3 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for eighteen months to two years and who are ready to consolidate their final stage as a beginner player. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 2 and since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Improvisation phrasing is now confident and articulate and candidates have started to develop the beginnings of stylistic awareness.

At Ukulele Grade 3, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Imelda May, The Mamas and The Papas, and Ed Sheeran.

Key Features at Grade 3:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Duet Arrangements

what to expect

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.

At Ukulele Grade 4, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as The Specials, Paul Simon, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Key Features at Grade 4:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Solo Arrangements

what to expect

Rockschool Band Exams are perfect for people who are in a band, learning together. Guitar, Bass and Drums candidates at Grade 5 level can be assessed together, with all instrumentalists playing the parts from the grade books as a group. The ability to play realistic parts while interacting with other musicians is invaluable training in itself and a feature that isn't available in any other syllabus.

what to expect

The Grade 5 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for three years or more and who have fully consolidated their intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 4 and since acquired a greater use of appropriate technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have developed a good sense of expression, have a strong grasp of stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which is now individual, assured, accurate and expressive.

At Ukulele Grade 5, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Daft Punk, Metallica and the Average White Band.

Key Features at Grade 5:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Solo Arrangements

what to expect

The Grade 6 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for three years or more and who have fully consolidated their intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 5 and since acquired a greater use of appropriate technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have developed a good sense of expression, have a strong grasp of stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which is now individual, assured, accurate and expressive.

At Ukulele Grade 6, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Queens of the Stone Age and The Beatles, and the Pirates of the Caribbean theme.

Key Features at Grade 6:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Solo Arrangements

what to expect

The Grade 7 Ukulele exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for four to five years and have extended their advanced level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 6 and developed notable security of appropriate technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency and musical understanding. Candidates will be able to improvise with conviction and personality plus demonstrate strong musical form and structure. There will be mature and authentic stylistic awareness, with developing individuality and communication.

At Ukulele Grade 7, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Taimane Gardner, System of a Down, and Tower of Power.

Key Features at Grade 7:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Solo Arrangements

what to expect

Rockschool Band Exams are perfect for people who are in a band, learning together. Guitar, Bass and Drums candidates at Grade 8 level can be assessed together, with all instrumentalists playing the parts from the grade books as a group. The ability to play realistic parts while interacting with other musicians is invaluable training in itself and a feature that isn't available in any other syllabus.

what to expect

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, coordination 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.

At Ukulele Grade 8, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Jake Shimabukuro, Taimane Gardner and Chick Corea.

Key Features at Grade 8:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests
• Ensemble Backing Tracks and Solo Arrangements