RSK200126_Ukulele_2020_G1_I'm Yours

Ukulele

Grade 1

Performance pieces, technical exercises, supporting tests and in-depth
guidance for Rockschool examinations

All accompanying and supporting audio can be downloaded from: www.rslawards.com/downloads
Input the following code when prompted: 7LZ6XN3WDT
For more information, turn to page 5

www.rslawards.com

Ukulele Grade 1 Acknowledgements

Published by RSL Awards Ltd. © 2020
Catalogue Number: RSK200126
ISBN: 978-1-78936-121-6
Initial Release | Errata details can be found at www.rslawards.com/errata
SYLLABUS
Syllabus designed and written by Jono Harrison
Syllabus Director: Tim Bennett-Hart
Syllabus Consultants: Ashley Hards and Samantha Muir
Hit Tune arrangements by Ashley Hards, Giorgio Serci, Jono Harrison, Calum Harrison & Nat Martin
Supporting Tests written by Jono Harrison and Ashley Hards
PUBLISHING
Proof reading of arrangements by Jono Harrison, Ashley Hards & Calum Harrison
Music engraving and book layout by Simon and Jennie Troup of Digital Music Art
Fact files written and edited by Abbie Thomas
Proof reading and copy editing by Jono Harrison and Calum Harrison
Cover design by Philip Millard of Rather Nice Design
Cover photograph: Jason Mraz | © 2019 Frank Hoensch (Redferns / Getty Images)
AUDIO
Produced by Jono Harrison
Engineered by Jono Harrison, Rory Harvey, Pete Riley, Giorgio Serci and Nat Martin
Mixed by Ian Caple
Supporting Tests recorded by Jono Harrison
MUSICIANS
Ukulele: Giorgio Serci, Nat Martin, Jono Harrison & Rory Harvey
Piano and Keyboards: Jono Harrison & Rory Harvey
Drums & Percussion: Pete Riley
Bass & Synth Bass: Rory Harvey
Guitars: Rory Harvey & Jono Harrison
Lead and Backing Vocals: Glen Harvey & Katy Virgoe
Additional Programming: Jono Harrison
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
John Simpson and Norton York
DISTRIBUTION
Exclusive distributors: Hal Leonard
CONTACTING ROCKSCHOOL
www.rslawards.com
Telephone: +44 (0)345 460 4747
Email: [email protected]

2

Table of Contents

Introductions & Information
1 Title Page
2 Acknowledgements
3 Table of Contents
4 Welcome to Rockschool Ukulele Grade 1

Rockschool Grade Pieces
7 ‘Stand By Me’ Ben E. King.............................................................................................
13 ‘I΄m Yours’ Jason Mraz.....................................................................................................
19 ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’............................ Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole
25 ‘Wild World’ Cat Stevens................................................................................................
29 ‘Send My Love (To Your New Lover)’ Adele.......................................................
33 ‘Take Me Home’ Jess Glynne........................................................................................

Technical Exercises
37 Group A | Scales
38 Group B | Arpeggios
39 Group C | Chord Voicings

Supporting Tests
40 Section 1 | Sight Reading
41 Section 1 | Improvisation & Interpretation
42 Section 2 | Ear Tests
43 Section 3 | General Musicianship Questions

About Rockschool Examinations
44 Entering Rockschool Exams
44 Syllabus Guides
44 Performance and Technical Guidance
45 Marking Schemes

Additional Information
46 Ukulele Notation Explained
47 Copyright Information
48 Rockschool Digital Downloads

Ukulele Grade 1

3

Ukulele Grade 1 Welcome to Rockschool Ukulele Grade 1

Welcome to Rockschool’s contemporary Ukulele syllabus 2020. This syllabus is designed to support ukulele players in their
progression from Debut up to Grade 8, through an engaging and rigorous pathway covering all the genres, stylistic elements,
techniques and musical skills required for success as a contemporary ukulele player.
All elements required to participate in a Rockschool exam can be found in the grade book. These are as follows:
Hit Tune Arrangements
The 2020 syllabus comprises six hit tune arrangements, meticulously researched and benchmarked to meet grade standards.
The arrangements are devised so as to equip contemporary ukulele players with industry-relevant skills in any performance
environment. These include:

■ A ll Grades
Four ‘Session Style’ arrangements – focussing on developing skills required to perform in an ensemble environment,
either in the studio or on stage. These arrangements cover accompaniment and lead playing skills.

■ D ebut – Grade 3
Two ‘Duet’ arrangements – instrumental arrangements without a backing band, focussing on melody and
accompaniment skills. The duet arrangements have a second part for teaching/ensemble purposes.

■ G rades 4–8
Two ‘Solo’ arrangements, performed without backing track and arranged to test melodic and self-accompaniment skills.

Each Hit Tune arrangement is preceded by a Fact File, giving surrounding context to the piece and the original performers /
recording artists.
Furthermore, you will find performance notes giving additional supportive context to get the most out of the pieces.
Technical Exercises
These are divided into groups at all grades as outlined below:

■ Debut – Grade 5 | Divided into three groups:
Group A: Scales
Group B: Arpeggios
Group C: Chords

■ G rades 6–8 | Divided into four groups:
Group A: Scales
Group B: Arpeggios
Group C: Chords
Group D: Stylistic Studies

4

Supporting Tests Ukulele Grade 1
There are three sections in this part of the exam. Please note that the sections contain differing elements depending on the grade:
Section 1

Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation | Debut – Grade 5 only
At Debut to Grade 5, candidates can choose between the following:

■ Sight Reading – a test of the musician’s ability to read and perform previously unseen material
■ I mprovisation & Interpretation – a test of the musician’s ability to develop previously unseen material in a stylistic

way and perform improvised passages of melody. The book contains examples of both types of test. Equivalent ‘unseen’
examples will be provided for the examination.
Quick Study Piece | Grades 6–8 only
At Grades 6–8, candidates must perform a previously unseen Quick Study Piece, combining the skills of the Sight
Reading and Improvisation & Interpretation tests from earlier grades.
Section 2
Ear Tests
Candidates must take all tests in this section. Ear tests feature at all grades, but the elements differ as outlined below:
■ Melodic Recall and Rhythmic Recall tests | Debut – Grade 3
■ Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall tests | Grades 4–8
Section 3
General Musicianship Questions
Candidates must answer General Musicianship Questions (GMQ’s) at all grades, on one of their chosen pieces from the
repertoire section. The nature of the questions differs depending on the grade. Please refer to the relevant section of the
grade book for details.

Audio
All accompanying audio can be downloaded from RSL directly at www.rslawards.com/downloads. This includes backing
tracks and full mixes of the grade pieces, examples of the technical exercises and supporting tests, and click tracks (where
applicable). The audio files are supplied as MP3 format, and can be played using any compatible device.
You will need to input this code when prompted: 7LZ6XN3WDT
Note: If you have purchased a digital version of this book, you will be sent a link through which you can download the
accompanying audio.

5

6 Ukulele Grade 1

‘Stand By Me’ | Ben E. King 

Album: Don’t Play That Song Chart Peak: 1 (UK)
Label: Atco Written By: Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Genre: Soul Produced By: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

Background Info 

‘Stand By Me’ was written by Ben E. King and ‘Stand By Me’ was a top 10 hit on the US Billboard charts
producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The title was twice – upon its release in 1961 and then again in 1986
inspired by a spiritual song written by Sam Cooke when it was re-released as part of the soundtrack to the
and J.W. Alexander called ‘Stand By Me Father’ which movie of the same name. In the UK charts it reached no. 27
contains lines derived from Psalm 46:2. Ben E. King on its original release and no. 1 when re-released in 1987,
had written the song with The Drifters in mind but they partly due to its utilisation on a Levi’s jeans advert. The
declined recording it. After the success of ‘Spanish song also appeared on the album Don’t Play That Song.
Harlem’, King had some studio time available and played
the song to Leiber and Stoller. There are varied accounts Ben E. King had an illustrious career and died at the age
of who did exactly what, with both Leiber and Stoller of 76 in 2015. He is now regarded as one of the greatest
claiming they worked out harmonies and a bass line, but voices of soul, rock and rhythm & blues. Jerry Leiber
in the end the song was credited to all three with a 50% and Mike Stoller are amongst the most successful and
split in favour of King. influential record producers of the twentieth century. They
produced and wrote for artists including Elvis Presley,
‘Stand By Me’ was released in April 1961. Since then, Barry Mann, Elkie Brooks, Peggy Lee and Stealers Wheel.
the estimated royalties generated by the song are over Their work influenced artists including Donald Fagen and
twenty two million US dollars. The original recording Phil Spector, who started out as their session guitarist.
session included Romeo Penque on sax, Ernie Hayes on
piano, Al Caiola and Charles McCracken on guitars, Lloyd ‘Stand By Me’ was recorded over four hundred times.
Trotman on bass, Phil Kraus on percussion and Gary Notable versions include those of Muhammad Ali in 1963,
Chester on drums, with a chorus and strings arranged by John Lennon in 1975, Maurice White in 1985, Prince
Stanley Applebaum. Royce in 2010 and Florence + The Machine in 2016.

Performance Notes  Ukulele Grade 1

This piece is arranged as a duet, with the candidate part this as the verse melody comes in at this point in the
(assessed) performing the iconic riff and chord sequence, second ukulele part (in fact there is a ‘pick up’ at the end
whilst the second part (non-assessed) performs the of bar 8). At this point, you will need to move to full chords
melody. The tempo has a lively feel which, combined with as shown in the notation. Try to ensure these are crisp
the catchy melody and riff, makes for a classic pop hit. and your fingering is secure, again watching out for the
rests in between the two strums. The second strum is on
It is important to be secure with the syncopated rhythm an upbeat (2&), so be careful that this isn’t too loud.
of the riff as this holds everything together. To achieve
this, make sure you understand where the notes fall in We then see the chord part continuing through to
relation to the beats by using the smallest note value – in section ‘B’ (Chorus), but notice there is now an extra
this case eighth notes: (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &). The rests are as strum on beat 4 of every bar until the D chord at bar 30.
important as the notes, so practise your muting technique Lastly, we return to playing single notes to finish the
to ensure these are played confidently. Notice that this song – the first part of the riff played three times before
arrangement is in the key of G major, and you will cover finishing on a final G note in bar 34. Make sure you feel
the G major scale in the technical section of this book confident moving from the full chordal strums back to
which is helpful for becoming confident with the riff. the single notes, and remember that at all times you are
playing an accompaniment, so your tone should be strong
The verse is marked at Bar 9 as letter ‘A’. You’ll know and clear but not overpowering the melody at any point.

7

Stand By Me Duet
Ben E. King
Candidate Part (Assessed)

q = 118 Soul œ œ œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œœ

& # 44 Gœj ‰ ‰ œj Œ

T 3 3 22 3 3 32
A
B

See note on welcome page about assessed and non-assessed ukulele parts

& # Em ‰ ‰ œj Œ œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œ C

œj œ œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œœ

T 0 0 20 0 20 0 00
A
B œ

[3]

# D ‰ ‰ œj Œ œ œ Gœj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œ œ œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ
&
œj

T 2 22 3 3 22 3 32
A
B 2 œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙ Eœœœmœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙

[6]

A Gœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙

#
&

T 2032 2302 2320 0322 0234 4032
A D
B Cœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
[9] 0300 0300
0222 2022
# œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙ œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
& œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙

T 2043 4023
A
B

[12]

Ukulele Grade 1 # Gœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
&

T 2302 2023 2032 2032 2032 0322
A
B Words and Music by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Ben E. King
Copyright © 1961 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC Copyright Renewed
8 [15] All Rights Administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 424 Church Street, Suite 1200, Nashville, TN 37219

International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

# œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙ Eœœœmœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙ œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
&

T 2320 0232 2403 3024 4230 4203
A D
B ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
œœœœj ‰
[18]

# Cœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
&

T 3000 0300 2220 2022
A
B œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙

[21]

# Gœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
&

T 2302 3202 2032 2032
A
B

[23]

B Gœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj œœœœ œœœœ œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj œœœœ œœœœ Eœœœmœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj œœœœ œœœœ

#
&

T 2302 0232 2023 2302 2320 3220 4032 4230 3420
A D
B œœœœ Cœœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj œœœœ œœœœ
œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj ˙˙˙˙
[25]

# œœœœj ‰ ‰ œœœœj œœœœ
&

T 0234 4032 4023 3000 3000 0300 2220 2022
A
B

[28]

# Gœj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œ œ œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œœ
&

T 3 3 22 3 3 22
A
B

[31]

# œj ‰ ‰ œj Œ œœ w Ukulele Grade 1
&

T 3 3 22 3
A
B

[33] 9

Stand By Me Duet
Ben E. King
Duet Part (Non-assessed)

q = 118 Soul

& # 44 G

T
A
B

See note on welcome page about assessed and non-assessed ukulele parts

# Em C
&

T
A
B

[3]

#D G Ó Œ œœ
&

T 75
A
B Em

[6] Œ œœœ œ

A

# Gœ Œ Œ œœ œ Œ Ó
&

T7 75 302 0
A
B

[9]

# Œ Œ CD œ œ œ
&œ
œœ œœœ Œ œœ œ

T 3 30 203 32 0 0 0 0
A
B

[12]

Ukulele Grade 1 #G Ó Œ œœ œ Œ ‰ Jœ œ œ
&w
757
T 3 75 7
A
B

10 [15] Words and Music by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Ben E. King
Copyright © 1961 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC Copyright Renewed
All Rights Administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 424 Church Street, Suite 1200, Nashville, TN 37219

International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

# œ Em Œ ‰ œj œ œ Œ Œ œœ
&
‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ

T 53203 2 20 3 32
A
B œ ‰œ œ D ‰ œj œ œ

[18] ˙

# Cœj œ
&

T0 3 3 32 0 203
A
B

[21]

# G ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ
&
˙.

T 3 57 5 10 9
A
B

[23]

B

# Gœ œ ˙ œ œ ˙. Em œœœ
&
ŒÓ

T 757 57 230
A
B C

[25] œ œ œ ˙.

# ˙. D œ œ œj œ.
&
Œ

T 3 2 03 20 3
A
B œ œ œj œ.

[28]

# G
&
Œ

T 20 3
A
B Ukulele Grade 1

[31]

#
&

T 11
A
B

[33]

12 Ukulele Grade 1

‘I´m Yours’ | Jason Mraz 

Album: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things Chart Peak: 11 (UK)
Label: Atlantic Written By: Jason Mraz
Genre: Pop Produced By: Martin Terefe

Background Info 

‘Im Yours’ is the first single released by Jason Mraz the Top 10 in Canada, United States, Austria, Australia,
from his third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. It also achieved
Things. Mraz took the name of the album from a work by number one on the Top 40 Digital Track Chart in Australia.
the artist David Shrigley. The track has now earned more than 12 million download
sales worldwide.
The song was originally released on a limited edition
EP called Extra Credit as a demo in 2005, to promote his Jason Mraz is an American singer-songwriter who
second studio album Mr. A–Z. ‘Im Yours’ was immensely first came to prominence in the San Diego coffee shop
successful and spent 76 weeks on the Hot 100 chart in scene in 2000. In 2002, he released his debut studio
the US. It held the record for most weeks spent on the album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained
US’s Hot 100 chart, breaking the previous record of 69 the hit single ‘The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)’. His musical
weeks set by LeAnn Rimes’ song ‘How Do I Live’ in 1998. style, from rhythmic feeling to his use of nylon string
This record has since been broken by Awolnation’s ‘Sail’, guitars, has been heavily influenced by Brazilian music.
which spent 79 weeks in the chart, and Imagine Dragon’s Since his debut, Mraz has released six studio albums,
‘Radioactive’, which remained in the charts for 87 weeks. three of which achieved top ten status in the UK album
chart. His accolades include two Grammy Awards and the
‘Im Yours’ is Mraz’s most successful global single to 2009 ‘Starlight Award’, awarded to young Songwriters in
date, reaching number one in Sweden and Norway, and honour of American lyricist Hal David.

Performance Notes 

Despite the breezy, relaxed feel of this track, the tempo strings then you will need to ensure your picking hand
is actually quite fast (140bpm). It is therefore important is stable and doesn’t move too far away from the strings
to remember to count the beats of the bar when learning between each chord.
the part. The piece is in C major, and you will find various
elements of this key centre covered in the technical Notice that the chord sequence remains the same
sections of the grade book. throughout this arrangement, based around a ‘I V VI IV’
progression which has been used successfully
The main technical goal here is to be able to mute the in many pop songs. When working on the performance
chords effectively, so that you achieve a staccato effect. as a whole, aim for a bright clear sound throughout
If strumming, you will need to bring your right hand back and ensure that the dynamics of the chords are
quickly to mute the strings. Similarly, if plucking the evenly balanced.

Ukulele Grade 1

13

‘I΄m Yours’ Session Style
Jason Mraz

q = 140 Pop s

& 44 Ó C

(Pick up bar) Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ.

T 0003 3000 0300 0003
A
B

G Am

&Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 3220 2032 0232 2230 0002 0002
A
B

[3]

&∑ F Ó ‰ Jœ œ

∑ Well,

& Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 0200 0002 2100 0120 0021 0120
A
B

[6]

A œ œJ œ œœœ œJ œ œJ Jœ œ œJ Gœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

& CJœ done me and you bet I felt it, I

you done, tried to be chill but you’re so

& Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 3000 3000 0300 3000 3220 3202
A
B

[9]

&œ œ œ œ œJ œ œj AœJm œ œJ œ œœ ˙. œ œ

hot that I mel - ted, I fell right through the cracks, now I’m

Ukulele Grade 1 & Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 2032 2032 2000 0002 0200 2000
A
B Words and Music by Jason Mraz
Copyright © 2008 Goo Eyed Music (ASCAP)
14 [12] International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

F C

&œ œ œ œœ œœ œJ œ. ‰ Jœ œ œ œJ œ œJ œJ œ œJ

try - ing to get back Œ œœœ.œ be - fore the cool done run out. I’ll be

& Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ 0102 Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ.

T 1200 0210 1002 0300 0003
A
B

[15]

&œ œ œ œ œ œœ Gœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Jœ œ œj

giv - ing it my best - est and noth - ing’s gon - na stop me but di - vine in - ter - ven - tion, I

& Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 3000 0300 0223 0322 2032 2032
A
B

[18]

& Aœm œ œ œ Jœ œ œj ˙. œ

reck - on it’s a - gain my turn Œ to

&Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 0200 2000 2000 2000
A
B

[21]

F ‰ œj œ œ Œ ˙ œ. Jœ

&œ some or learn some. But

win œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Ukulele Grade 1

&Π0201 2100 2100 2010

T 15
A
B

[23]

B Cœ œ Œ œ Œ œ Œ Jœ œ. G

& œŒœŒ

I won’t he - si - tate no

& Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 3000 0300 0030 3000 2320 2320
A
B

[25]

&œ œ Œ œ œœ Am Œ œ Œ ˙˙

œœ can - not

more, no more. It

& Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 2032 2230 2000 0002 0200 0020
A
B

[28]

F Œ˙ œ œ œ Jœ œ œJ Cœ œ œ Œ

&œ I’m sure. There’s no need to

wait. œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ.

&Π2010 1200 0210 2100 0003 0003

T
A
B

[31]

&˙ ˙ G œœ œœ Œ œ œœ

com - pli - œŒ Our time is œœœ.œ

cate. Π3202

Ukulele Grade 1 & Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 0003 0003 2302 3022 3022
A
B

16 [34]

Am œŒ˙

&œ œ Œ œ Œ is our

short. This

&Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 0020 0020 0200 0020
A
B

[37]

F Œ˙ œ œœœ Œ

&œ I’m yours. œœœ.œ

fate. œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ 0102

&Π0102 2100 0210

T
A
B

[39]

C Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ. G
C
3000 0003 Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ
& Œ œœœœ. Œ œœœœ.
2230 2302
T 0030 0003
A
B

[41]

Am

& Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ

T 2032 2320 2000 2000 2000 0020
A
B

[44]

F œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ Œ œœœ.œ C Ukulele Grade 1

&Π0120 2001 0201 0201 wwww

T 3000
A
B 17

[47]

18 Ukulele Grade 1

‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ | Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole

Album: Facing Future Chart Peak: 44 (UK)
Genre: Folk/Hawaiian Written By: Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg
Label: Big Boy Records Produced By: Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg

Background Info 

‘Over the Rainbow’ (often referred to as ‘Somewhere Facing Future is the best-selling album by a Hawaiian
Over the Rainbow’) is a familiar ballad written originally artist of all time. It combines traditional Hawaiian-
for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. With music written by language songs, hapa haole songs with traditional
Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, the song won that instrumentation and two Jawaiian (Island reggae) tracks.
year’s Academy Award for Best Original Song and went
on to become one of the most recognisable tracks of the In the UK, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of the song
20th century. was released as a single under the title ‘Somewhere
over the Rainbow’ and entered the UK Official Singles
‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful Chart in April 2007. As of 2014, the song had sold over
World’ is a medley of the songs ‘Over the Rainbow’ four million digital copies. It is now the most requested
and ‘What a Wonderful World’ by the late Israel version of the song by far, according to music publishing
Kamakawiwo’ole and was released on the albums house EMI. That’s quite remarkable for a rendition which
Ka ‘Ano’i and Facing Future. Recorded in a single take features only one voice and one accompanying ukulele
during a spur-of-the-moment demo session, the only on its recording.
copies of the recording were made for Kamakawiwo’ole
himself and his recording engineer, Milan Bertosa. Sadly, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole passed away in the
Five years later, in 1993, Bertosa played the song for summer of 1997, already one of the most beloved singers
producer Jon de Mello while the two were completing in the history of Hawaiian music. He was 38 and only
the album Facing Future, leading de Mello to include it in just beginning to see the huge success of his beloved hit
the final version. ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

Performance Notes 

This song starts with a four-bar intro, where the second getting comfortable with the part before playing along
(non-assessed) part plays a reggae-inspired eighth-note with the backing track. This is particularly the case
rhythm on an F major chord. You will come in at bar 5 (the during section  B, which requires more focus on the
start of section A) with the lead melody. Based around picking hand as the fretting hand remains in a similar
the F major scale, the melody contains some wide interval note range.
jumps which you will need to slow down and practise. Aim
for a clean contact with the string to provide a warm tone for Section C returns to a melodic part as found in
the melody. You can also try singing along with the melody section  A. However, this time the harmony resolves on
to help memorise it, which will ‘free up’ your performance. the F major chord in the final bar. Throughout all of the
long single-note sections in this song, be mindful of
At a tempo of 140bpm this song is quite lively. You letting the notes ring for their full duration, and to avoid
will need to slow everything down and take your time any accidental string muting.

Ukulele Grade 1

19

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Duet
Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole
Candidate Part (Assessed)

q = 140 Folk/Hawaiian

F

& b 44

T See note on welcome page about assessed and non-assessed ukulele parts Jœ œ œ ˙˙
A
B w Aœm. 5 78
8
A ˙˙
F
01
&b w
˙
T 87
A 5
B 5
Œœ
[5]
1
Bb F
œ. œj œ œ
&b w w w
00 0
T 53

A 5
B

[9]

Bb F

&b w w œ. œj œ œ

T 1 0
A 13
B 2

[13]

C œj œ œ ˙ Œœ Dm

& b œ. 0 1 3 3 ˙

T 3 Bb 0
A
B Œœ

[17]

&b ˙ Ó œœœ ˙

T 8 0 31 1
A
B

[20]

Ukulele Grade 1 B œj œ œ œ œœ˙ C
F
11 œ œ ‰ œj œ œ
& b œ.

T 1 1 00 0 0
A 00
B

20 [23] Music by Harold Arlen
Lyric by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg
© Copyright 1939 EMI Feist Catalog Incorporated
All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured

Dm Bb

&b w œ. œj œ œ w

T 2 0
A 31
B

[27]

&b F œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œœ˙ C œ œ ‰ œj ‰ œj œ œ œ œœ

œ 1 œ
00
T 11 1 1 0 00 0 3 00 00
A w
B

[31]

Dm Bb w

&b w ˙˙ 1

T 2 0
A 3
B

[35]

C Aœm. Jœ œ œ ˙ ˙
F
7 57 8
&b w 8

T 5 8 F
A
B w w

[39] 3

Bb

&b w

T 5 5
A
B w

[43] 1

Bb F ˙

&b w œ. œj œ œ ˙ 1

T 2 00
A 13
B
F
[47]
˙w
C œj œ œ ˙ Ukulele Grade 1
0
& b œ. 1

T 3 0 13
A
B

[51] 21

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Duet
Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole
Duet Part (Non-assessed)

q = 140 Folk/Hawaiian

F

& b 44 Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ

T 00 00 00 0 0 00 00 00 00
A 11 11 11 1 1 11 11 11 11
B 00 00 00 0 0 00 00 00 00
22 22 22 2 2 22 22 22 22
A
F See note on welcome page about assessed and non-assessed ukulele parts œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ

&b ΠAm

œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ

T 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
A 11 11 11 11 00 00 00 00
B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
[5]
œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ F œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
Bb
œœœœ œœœœ Œ
&b Œ

T 11 11 11 11 00 00 00 00
A 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 22 00 00 00 00
33 33 33 33 22 22 22 22
[9]
œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ F œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
Bb
œœœœ œœœœ Œ
&b Œ

T 11 11 11 11 00 00 00 00
A 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 22 00 00 00 00
33 33 33 33 22 22 22 22
[13]
œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ Dm œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
C
œœœœ œœœœ Œ
&b Œ

T 33 33 33 33 00 00
A 00 00 00 00 11 11
B 00 00 00 00 22 22
00 00 00 00 22 22
[17]
œœœœ œœœœ Œ Bb œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
&b Œ
œœœœ œœœœ Œ

T 00 00 11 11 11 11
A 11 11 11 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 22 22 22
22 22 33 33 33 33
[20]
Ukulele Grade 1 œœœœ œœœœ Œ C œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
B
F œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ

&b Œ

T 00 00 00 00 33 33 33 33
A 11 11 11 11 00 00 00 00
B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
22 22 22 22 00 00 00 00
22 [23]
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyric by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg
© Copyright 1939 EMI Feist Catalog Incorporated
All Rights Reserved International Copyright Secured

Dm Bb

& b Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ

T 00 00 00 00 11 11 11 11
A 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
22 22 22 22 33 33 33 33

[27]

F œœœœ œœœœ Œ C œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ

& b Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ 00 œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ 33
11 00
T 00 00 00 00 33 00 33 33
A 11 11 22 11 00 00 00 00
B 00 00 00 00 00 00
22 22 œœœœ œœœœ Œ 22 00 œœœœ œœœœ Œ 00 00

[31]

Dm Bb œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ

& b Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ

T 00 00 00 00 11 11 11 11
A 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
22 22 22 22 33 33 33 33
[35]
œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ Am œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
C
F 00 00 00 œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ 00 00 00
11 11 11 00 00 00
&b Π00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
22 22 22 11 00 22 22 22
T 00 00
A œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ 22 22
B
11 11 11 F œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
[39] 11 11 11
22 22 22 œœœœ œœœœ Œ 00 00 00 00
Bb 33 33 33 11 11 11 11
11 00 00 00 00
&b Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ 11 22 22 22 22
22
T 11 11 11 33
A 11 11 11
B 22 22 22 F œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ
33 33 33
[43] œœœœ œœœœ Œ 00 00 00 00
11 11 11 11
Bb 11 00 00 00 00
11 22 22 22 22
&b Π22
33
T
A
B

[47]

C œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ œœœœ Œ œœœœ F Ukulele Grade 1

&b Π33 33 33 3 wwww
00 00 00 0
T 00 00 00 0 0
A 00 00 00 0 1
B 0
2
[51]
23

24 Ukulele Grade 1

‘Wild World’ | Cat Stevens 

Album: Tea For The Tillerman Chart Peak: 52 (UK)
Label: Island/A&M Written By: Cat Stevens
Genre: Folk/Rock Produced By: Paul Samwell-Smith

Background Info 

‘Wild World’ first appeared on the British singer- More recently, a cover of Wild World was released by
songwriter Cat Stevens’ fourth studio album Tea for the indie band Bastille in 2018.
Tillerman (1970). The song depicts the singer’s last
exchange with his departing lover, inspired by the end of Released in 1970, Tea for the Tillerman was Stevens’
their relationship. fourth album and includes a number of the artist’s most
well known songs, such as ‘Where Do the Children Play?’,
Many artists have successfully covered this song with ‘Wild World’, ‘Sad Lisa’, and ‘Father and Son’. ‘Wild World’
Jimmy Cliff’s version, which was released a few months featured as an advance single on the album, which
after the original, reaching number 8 on the UK Singles proved to be the LP that brought Stevens (now known as
Chart. Surprisingly, Steven’s version was never released Yusuf Islam) worldwide fame.
as a single and so failed to achieve chart status when
Tea for the Tillerman was first released. However, after Yusuf Islam (born Steven Demetre Georgiou), became
performing the song at the 2007 ‘Live Earth’ concert, most commonly known by his former stage name Cat
admiration for the song resurfaced and it charted at Stevens, after making his debut in 1967’s Swinging
number 52 in the UK. A large number of cover versions London music scene. A London-born singer-songwriter,
actually appear to be reggae versions, leading us to feel multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and education
that Cliff’s version, as opposed to Cat Stevens’ original philanthropist, Yusuf returned to pop music in 2006 after
arrangement, was the more popular version at the time. releasing his first album in 28 years, titled An Other Cup.

Performance Notes 

You will be playing chords throughout this session- predominantly remains in the key of C major / A minor,
style track, complementing the acoustic parts and the with the moods of each section dictated by a dominance
piano on the backing track. The ukulele opens with a four- of either major or minor chords from within the key.
bar chord sequence in A minor, outlining the progression
for the verse section which arrives at letter A. Note that At bar 22, the song moves into Section C which
these chords are played as half notes (two beats long) is a repeat of the intro but eight bars instead of four.
until the verse section, where the momentum picks up Isolate any sections that are difficult and play along to
and the chords become quarter notes (each lasting one a metronome at a slower tempo. Aim for accuracy first,
beat). It is important to focus on smooth chord changes then when you are comfortable with the part, use the
here, particularly in the sections with quarter notes as you backing track to play along with and put it all together.
will have less time for finger placement.
Notice that some of the chords don’t belong to the
Section B is the chorus of the song. The ukulele key of A minor (D7, E major). These chords have been
continues to play a quarter-note rhythm underneath the ‘borrowed’ from other scales. This is a common tool used
melody, but the ‘mood’ of the song has changed from by composers that adds interest and variation to a piece
a ‘minor’ feel to a more positive ‘major’ feel. The song of music but without sounding entirely out of place.

Ukulele Grade 1

25

Wild World Session Style
Cat Stevens

q = 76 Folk Rock
Am D7
& 44 ΠG C
œœœœœœœœœ œœ
œ œ œœœœœœœ œœ
la, la.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, ˙˙˙˙ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

& 44 ˙˙˙˙ # ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙

T 0200 2002 3220 0003
A
B

F Dm E

&œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ Ó

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

& ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ # www

T 2100 2012 442
A
B

[3]

A Am DG CF Dm

&Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. ‰ œœœœœœœ œ

& œœœœ Now that I’ve lost ev - ’ry - thing to you you say you wan-na start some - thing new and it’s break-ing my heart you’re

œœœœ #œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 0002 0002 0222 2202 3202 2320 0030 0300 2010 0201 0122 0221
A
B

[5]

E Am D GC

& #œ œj ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ. ‰. Rœ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œj ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

leav - ing. Ba - by I’m griev - in’! But if you want to leave take good care, hope you have a lot of nice things to wear

& #œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ œœœœ œœœœ #œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 442 424 244 0200 0020 2022 2022 0223 2032 0030 3000
A
B E G Ó œ

[8] 42 #œ œ œ 44 ˙ œœ

F Dm bad out there

&œ œ ≈œœœœœœ œ œ 42 #œœœ œœœ nœœœœ 44 œœœœ

Ukulele Grade 1 & œœœœ but then a lot of nice things turn

œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 2010 0201 2012 0122 424 0223 102
A
B

26 [11] Words and Music by Cat Stevens
Copyright © 1970 Salafa Limited Copyright Renewed
All Rights Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

All Rights Reserved Used by Permission

B GF
C
œ œ œœœœœœ œ œ Ó
&Œ
world.
Oh ba - by, ba - by it’s a wild

& œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 0003 3000 2032 3220 2010 0102 0120 0210
A
B

[14]

G F œœœœ C Ó CG

& ‰. Rœ œ œ œ œ œ just up - on a ˙ Ó Œ œ œ œœœœœœ

& œœœœ It’s hard to get by smile. Oh, ba - by, ba - by it’s a

œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 0223 0223 0021 1020 3000 3000 0300 0003 2203 2230
A
B

[16]

F œ Ó G œr œ œ œ œ F œ œ œ œœ C œœœ Dm E

&œ world. ‰. œ œ girl. Ó # œœœ

wild I’ll al - ways re - mem - ber you like a child,

& œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ˙˙˙˙ œœœœ

T 0210 0012 1200 1002 2302 3022 1200 0210 3000 0212 424
A
B

[19]

C Am D7 GC F Dm E

& ˙˙˙˙ # ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ #˙˙˙ ˙˙˙

T 0020 2002 2032 0300 0201 2021 442 424
A
B

[22]

Am D7 GC F Dm E Am Ukulele Grade 1

& ˙˙˙˙ # ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ # www wwww

T 0002 0220 3202 3000 1200 1220 424 2000
A
B

[26] 27

28 Ukulele Grade 1

‘Send My Love (To Your New Lover)’ | Adele 

Album: 25 Chart Peak: 5 (UK)
Label: XL Written By: Adele Adkins, Max Martin, Shellback
Genre: Pop/Soul Producers: Max Martin, Shellback

Background Info 

‘Send My Love (To Your New Lover)’ features on Adele Adkins is a British singer-songwriter who
the third studio album, 25 (2015), by British singer- graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and
songwriter Adele. 25 was written by Adele, Max Martin Technology in 2006. Adele signed with XL Recordings
& Shellback and produced by the latter two (Martin & after a friend posted her demo on a Myspace page. She
Shellback). ‘Send My Love’ was an instant success on now holds the record for longest-running number 1
a variety of international charts, following on from her album by a female solo artist in the history of the UK and
already stellar sales records established on her previous US Album Charts.
two albums 19 and 21.
In 2015 Adele released her third studio album, 25. It
This song is popularly described as a “kiss-off” track became the year’s unprecedented best-selling album,
(those songs defined by their themes of dismissal and/ breaking first week sales records in both the UK and US.
or rejection), that honestly assesses a past relationship in The lead single, ‘Hello’, became the first song in the US to
an attempt to forgive her ex-partner and find closure. The sell over one million digital copies within a week.
song begins by grieving for the end of a past relationship
and explores the wrongdoing undertaken by her old Since her debut, Adele has achieved phenomenal
flame. Built around a simple acoustic guitar riff that success, a fact confirmed by an incredible list of
opens into a gentle dance beat, the track is ultimately accolades. Not only has she won an Ivor Novello
about moving on and finding a way to be happy for an award for Songwriter of the Year and an astonishing 15
ex-partner who has moved on in their own way. Grammy’s from only three albums, but she also received
an MBE in 2013 for services to music.

Performance Notes  Ukulele Grade 1

The song begins with an eight-bar introduction, built D major chord. It is important to maintain rhythmic
around a syncopated rhythm on the top two notes of a stability at all times, being careful not to rush the
syncopated rhythms.
D major chord voicing. This moves to a B/F# – a two-note
Throughout the arrangement, be mindful of the
chord which, although a ‘power chord’ in itself, can be staccato articulations, indicated by the dot above/below
thought of as being derived from the prevailing B minor the note head. These indicate that the notes should only
which we see in the rest of the piece. last a very short amount of time.

The main vocal melody comes in for the verse at Careful practice with and without the backing track
section A. The melody is based around the D major scale, will be very useful to become confident with this song,
and notice how now the ukulele part continues the same and will help you gauge your own progress and highlight
rhythm on a full D major chord. Take care in bar 16, where areas that might need attention.
you play a short melodic figure before leading into the
pre-chorus (Section B). Note that the entire song is This score contains repeats in the C section.
based around two chords only. Familiarising yourself with their locations prior to
performing will help when trying to follow the score
Section C continues along the same lines, where you mid-performance.
will continue to outline the main rhythm, with section
D returning to single note phrases ending on a long

29

Send My Love (To Your New Lover) Session Style

Adele

q = 164 Pop/Soul œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó

& ## 44 Dœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó

T 20 20 20 20 02 20 20 20
A
B ‰ œœ.j Ó œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó œœ.j ‰ ‰ œœ.j Ó

& ## Bœœ.5j ‰

T 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
A
B

[5]

A D œœœ œ Œ œœœ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œœ Œ œœœ œœ

& ## Πyou, none of it me, you put your hands on, on my bo - dy and

This was all œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

& ## œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

T 022 022 220 220 022 022 220 022
A
B j
œ
[9]
œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó
& ## Bm œ œ œ œ. œœœœœ Œ

œ mœœœ.jm, ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

& ## œœtœ.ojld ‰ ‰ œœœ.j me, œœœœœ œ

Ó

T 222 222 222 222 222 222 02020 2
A
B

[13]

& ## D œœœ œ Œ œœœ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ Œ œœœ œ

Πone, for the big jump,

for the big œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó I’d be your last love, ev - er - last - ing,

& ## œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

T 220 022 202 022 022 202 022 022
A
B j œœœœ˙
œ
[17] mœœœ.jm, ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó
œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó
& ## Bm œ œ œ œ. œœœœœ œ

œ that was what you told me.

Ukulele Grade 1 & ## œœœy.oju ‰ ‰ aœœœn.dj me, œœœœœ œ

Ó

T 222 222 222 222 222 222 02020 2
A
B Words and Music by Adele Adkins, Max Martin and Shellback
Copyright © 2015 MELTED STONE PUBLISHING LTD. and MXM
[21] All Rights for MELTED STONE PUBLISHING LTD. in the U.S. and Canada Administered by UNIVERSAL - SONGS OF POLYGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
All Rights for MXM Administered Worldwide by KOBALT SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
30
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission

B D ˙. œ œœœœœ Œœœ œ œ œœœœœ

& ## Œ I’ve

I’m giv - ing you up, œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó for - giv - en it all,

& ## œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó 5 œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó
2
T 5 5 5
A 2 2
B 2 œŒ

[25]

& ## Bm œ œ. œj œ œ ˙˙ ˙˙

œ set me free. œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ œJ. Ó

& ## œ.j ‰ ‰ œJ. Ó you œ.j ‰ ‰ œJ. Ó 2 2
2 2
T 2 2
2
A 2
B

[29]

C D œ œ œœœ œœ˙ œŒœ œ œœœœœ ‰ œj

& ## .. œ lo - (o) - ver, treat her we’ve

Send my love to your new œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó bet - - ter,

& ## .. œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó 202 022 022 022 œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

.T 022 220 220 202

A

.B

[33]

& ## Bm œ œ œ. œj œ œ œ œ. œj ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ ..

œ of ..
.
got - ta let go all of our ghosts, we both know we ain’t kids no more. .

& ## œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó œœœ.j ‰ ‰ œœœ.j Ó

T 222 222 222 222 222 222 222 222
A
B D

[37] w

D

& ##

& ## œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ Jœ. Ó

T 5 5 5 5
2 2 2
A 2
B

[41]

& ## Bm ‰ ‰ œ.j Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ œ.j Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ œ.j Ó œ.j ‰ ‰ œ.j Ó D Ukulele Grade 1

œ.j 22 22 22 wwww

T 2202
A
B 2 2

[45] 31

32 Ukulele Grade 1

‘Take Me Home’ | Jess Glynne 

Album: I Cry When I Laugh Chart Peak: 6 (UK)
Label: Atlantic Written By: Jess Glynne, Wayne Hector,
Genre: Pop/Soul Steve Mccutcheon, Nick Tsang
Produced By: Steve Mac

Background Info 

‘Take Me Home’ is a song by British singer-songwriter Glynne signed with Atlantic Records in 2013. Her most
and RSL alumni Jess Glynne. On 3 November 2015 the notable performance since came from her collaboration
track was released as the fifth single from her debut with British electronic group, Clean Bandit, who invited
studio album, I Cry When I Laugh (2015). Immediately her to perform the vocals on their song ‘Rather Be’.
met with highly positive critical reception, the song has
been cited as a prime example of Glynne’s songwriting Released as a single in January 2014, ‘Rather Be’ was
and vocal ability, with many noting it to be a stand-out an instant hit and debuted at number one on the UK
from the album. Singles Chart, becoming the third fastest-selling single
and the most streamed song of 2014 in the process.
Glynne applied for the television show “The X Factor”
when she was 15 years old, but eventually dropped out ‘Take Me Home’ was the official BBC Children In Need
during the audition stage. Whilst attending a year-long single for 2015. Focussing on the need for support when
music course at an East London college, Glynne met her feeling most vulnerable, Glynne’s track was an appropriate
future co-songwriter Jin Jin and producer Bless Beats. soundtrack for the appeal show which aired on Friday 13th
One particular Glynne / Jin Jin composition caught the November 2015. ‘Take Me Home’ is an emotional track,
attention of Black Butter Records, who gave Glynne her said to be very personal to Glynne, often bringing her to
first publishing deal. tears when performing live. It remained in the UK charts
for 26 weeks, where it peaked at number 6, and achieved
Platinum Status with sales of over 600,000 copies.

Performance Notes 

This song starts with a four-bar intro with the ukulele In the chorus (section C onwards), there is a more
part playing the chords, strumming half-notes on beats ‘open’ rhythm, playing on beats 1 and 4 of each bar. At
1 and 3 of the bar. The aim is to let all of the notes ring out bar 21 it returns to the quarter-note rhythm, playing on
clearly. The chords of this song will remain in the key of G all four beats of the bar. Practise counting the bars as you
major. This continues through to the start of Section B. play so you don’t miss where the rhythm changes. The
song returns to a repeat of the four-bar intro to end.
During section B, you will play a quarter-note
rhythm on all four beats of the bar as the song ramps up Isolate any sections that are difficult and play along to
to the chorus. Try playing all of these chords as down a metronome at a slower tempo. Aim for accuracy first,
strokes. Take care with the Dsus4 chord in bar 16. The then when you are comfortable with the part, use the
‘sus’ (suspended) chord is a common type of chord that backing track to play along with, and work on putting it all
sounds as if it wants to be resolved, in this case, to a together at performance tempo.
D major. It is often used in pop music as a way to create
tension without dissonance.

Ukulele Grade 1

33

Take Me Home Session Style
Jess Glynne
q = 75 Pop/Soul
GD
& # 44 Em C GD Em C
˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙
˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙
0232 0222
T 2430 3000 0232 2202 4032 0003
A
B

A Em œj C G D Em œj C

& # ‰ ≈ œj. œ œœœ œœ ‰ œj œ œ. œœ œŒ ‰ ≈ œj. œ. œœ œ œ

Wrapped up, so con - sumed by all this hurt. If you ask me, don’t

# ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙
&

T 4032 0003 2032 2220 2304 3000
A
B

[5]

# GD Em œj C G D
& œj œ œ
‰ œ œ œ. œœ‰ ‰ œœœ œ œœœ œ œ œ œœœœœ œœ Œ

know where to start. An - ger, love, con - fu - sion, roads that go no - where.

# ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙
&

T 3202 0222 4032 0030 0232 2220
A
B

[8]

# Em C G œj ≈ œj. D

& ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ≈œœœ ‰ take me œ. œ œj ‰

I know there’s some - where bet - ter ’cause you al - ways ˙˙˙˙ there.

# ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙
&

T 4032 0030 3220 0222
A
B

[11]

B # Am œ œœ œœœœœ œœ‰ Em œ œœ œœœœœœ œœœ ‰

& ≈ to you with a bro - ken faith. ≈ me more than a hand to hold

Came Gave

Ukulele Grade 1 # œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ
&

T 0020 0020 0200 0200 4032 2403 4023 0324
A
B

[13]

34 Words and Music by Jessica Glynne, Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Nicholas Tsang
Copyright © 2015 Black Butter Music Publishing Ltd, BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited, A BMG Company and Rokstone Music
All Rights for Black Butter Music Publishing Ltd, BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited, A BMG Company Administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

All Rights for Rokstone Music Administered by Universal Polygram Int. Publishing, Inc.
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission

# G œ œœ œœœœœœœ D sus 4 œ œ D œ œ œ œ

& ≈ ≈œœœœ œ

Caught be - fore I hit the ground. Tell me I’m safe, you’ve got me now.

# œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙˙
&

T 3220 3202 2230 2302 3022 0322 2022
A
B ‰ œ œ œ.

[15]

CG Am Em
#
& Œ œœ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ. œœ œ œœœ ‰ œ œ œ. œ œ œ

# Would you take the wheel if I lose con - trol? If I’m ly - ing here,
&
˙˙˙˙ .... œœœœ ˙˙˙˙.... œœœœ ˙˙˙˙.... œœœœ

T 0322 2032 0020 0200 2340 0243
A
B

[17]

# C G Rœ œ. œœ œ Am ‰ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ
&
œ œ ‰ œ œ œ. œœ œ œ œ œ ‰. œœ‰

# will you take me home? Could you take care of a bro - ken soul?
&
˙˙˙˙ .... œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 0003 0300 0232 2230 2023 2320 0200 2000 0200 0200
A
B œœ œ C

[20] œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ.

Em œœ œ G

# œœœ ‰ œ œ œ. œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ
&

# œœœœ Will you hold me now? œœœœ Oh, will you take me home? Oh, will you take me home?
&
œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

T 4032 0432 3042 0423 0003 0003 0003 0030 2320 0223 3220 2230
A
B ≈ œ œ œ œ. œœ œ œœ œ

[23]

Am Em C

#œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ. œ œ ≈œœœœ œ œ
&

# Oh, will you take me home? Oh, will you take me home? Oh, will you take me home?
&
œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙

T 0002 0002 2000 2000 0243 2304 3204 2304 3000 0003
A
B G

[26] wwww

D # Em C GD Em C GD Ukulele Grade 1

& ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙˙

T 0432 0003 3022 0222 3204 0300 3220 2022 2302
A
B

[29] 35

36 Ukulele Grade 1

Technical Exercises

At Grade 1, you will be required to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the groups below.
All exercises need to be played with a straight feel, using the given rhythmic values at the tempos shown.
Note that Groups A and B need to be played to a click. In group C, you will need to play each chord in turn, as requested by
the examiner.

Group A | Scales
The tempo for this group is q =70 bpm.
1. C major scale

&œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

T 0 1 3 0 2 3 2 0 3 1 0

A 0 2 2 0
B

2. A natural minor scale

&œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

T0 2 3 2 0 3 1 0 0 1 3 0
A
B 2

3. G major scale

# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
&œ

T 3 0 2 0 3 2 0 0 2 3
A
B 2

4. F major scale

&b œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ukulele Grade 1

T 13 01310 310 01
A
B 202

37

Technical Exercises

5. C major scale | on 3rd and 4th strings

&œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

T
A
B 0 2 4 0 2 0 4 2 0

Group B | Arpeggios œ ˙Ó
The tempo for this group is q =70 bpm.
1. G major arpeggio 2 0

& # 44 œ œ œ œ œœ˙

T 2 0 11
A 3 0
œ
B0 ˙Ó
1
2. F major arpeggio œ œ 2

& b 44 œ 3

T 1 0
A
B

3. D minor arpeggio œ œ

& b 44 œ 0

T 1
A
B 2

Ukulele Grade 1

38

Technical Exercises

Group C | Chord Voicings
Open position chords. Chords to be strummed once as directed by the examiner.

1. Major chords D E

A # wwww # www

& #wwww 2
4
T 0 0 4
A 0 2
B 1 2
2 2

2. Minor chords Em Bm

Dm wwww # www

& wwww 2 2
3 2
T 0 4 2
A 1 0
B 2
2

3. Dominant 7th chords D 7 (Root omitted)

G7 # wwww

& nwwww 0
2
T 2 0
A 1 2
B 2
0

Ukulele Grade 1

39

Supporting Tests

Section 1 | Sight Reading

In the exam, you have a choice between either a Sight Reading test or an Improvisation & Interpretation test within Section 1.
The examiner will ask you which one you wish to choose before commencing. Once you have decided, you cannot change
your mind.

In the Sight Reading test, the examiner will give you a 4 bar melody. You will first be given 90 seconds to practise, after
which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is for you to practise and the second time is for you
to perform the final version for the exam. For the first playthrough, the backing track will begin with four clicks. For the
second playthrough, there will be a one bar count-in. The tempo is q = 70.

During the practice time, you will be given the choice 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.

Tempo: q = 70
Duration: 4 Bars
Rhythms: Half notes and quarter notes
Key: G major or A minor
Pitches and Instrumental Compass: E–G on the 2nd string; A, B & C on the 1st string
Please note: eGxreardcei1ses may be performed either fingerstyle or with a plectrum.

Example 1 ˙ œœ œœ˙ ˙ œœ

q = 70

& # 44 œ œ ˙

T 0 23 0 20 3 00
A 33 3

B

Example 2 œœ ˙ œœ ˙ ˙ œœ˙
q = 70
23 2 0 1 0 0
& 44 ˙ 3 13

T0
A
B

Please note: The tests shown are examples: The examiner will give you a different version in the exam

Ukulele Grade 1

40

Section 1 | Improvisation & Interpretation

In the exam, you have a choice between either a Sight Reading test or an Improvisation & Interpretation test within Section 1.
The examiner will ask you which one you wish to choose before commencing. Once you have decided, you cannot change
your mind.

In the Improvisation & Interpretation test, the examiner will give you a 4 bar chord progression in the key of G major
or A  minor. You will first be given 90 seconds to practise, after which the examiner will play the backing track twice.
The first time is for you to practise and the second time is for you to perform the final version for the exam. For the first
playthrough, the backing track will begin with four clicks. For the second playthrough, there will be a one bar count-in.
The tempo is q = 70.

During the practice time, you will be given the choice 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.

At Grade 1, you only need to improvise single note melodies in the key of G major or A natural minor. The chord symbols
show the chord progression of the backing track only.

Example 1

q = 70

& # 44 G ’ ’ ’ Em C G

’ ’’’’ ’’’’ ’’’’

Example 2

q = 70

& 44 Am ’ ’ ’ Dm Em Am

’ ’’’’ ’’’’ ’’’’

Please note: The tests shown are examples: The examiner will give you a different version in the exam

Ukulele Grade 1

41

Supporting Tests

Section 2 | Ear Tests
There are two Ear Tests in this grade. The examiner will play each test to you twice. You will find one example of each type
of test printed below.

Test 1: Melodic Recall
The examiner will play you three notes in sequence. You will tell the examiner whether the notes are higher or lower (up or
down) in sequence. You will hear the test twice.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one bar vocal count-in. The tempo is q = 85.

q = 85

& 44 .. w ˙ ˙ ..

.T 0.
A 0.
0
.B

Candidate may answer either: “higher/lower” or “up/down”.

Test 2: Rhythmic Recall
The examiner will play you a two bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the high A string. You will hear the test twice.
You will be asked to play the rhythm back. You will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two printed examples shown
to you. The test will contain a combination of quarter notes, quarter note rests, and eighth notes.

Each time the test is played it is preceded by four clicks. There will be a short gap for you to practise. Next you will hear a
vocal count-in and you will then play the rhythm to the drum backing. The tempo is q = 90.

q = 90

A œœŒ œ œŒ œœœ ..

& 44 .. œ

.T 0 00 00 000 .
.
A Œœ œœ œ œœœ Œ ..
.
.B 0 00 0 000 .

B

& 44 .. œ

.T 0

A

.B

Ukulele Grade 1Please note: The test shown is an example: The examiner will give you a different version in the exam

42

Supporting TestsUkulele Grade 1
Section 3 | General Musicianship Questions
The final part of your exam is the General Musicianship Questions section, which features five questions: four relating to
one performance piece of your choosing and one relating to your instrument.
Music Knowledge
The examiner will ask you four music knowledge questions based on a piece of music that you have played in the exam. You
will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
In Grade 1 you will be asked to identify:

■ The treble clef
■ The time signature
■ Whole, half, quarter and eighth-note values
■ The difference between a major and a minor chord
Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask you one question regarding your instrument.
In Grade 1 you will be asked to identify:
■ Two of the following parts of your ukulele: neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, nut or bridge, sound hole
■ Pitch names of the open strings

43

Ukulele Grade 1About Rockschool Examinations

Entering Rockschool Exams
Entering a Rockschool exam is easy, just go online and follow our simple six step process. All details for entering online,
dates, fees, regulations and Free Choice Pieces can be found at www.rslawards.com

■ A ll candidates should ensure they bring their own Grade syllabus book to the exam or have proof of digital purchase
ready to show the examiner.

Syllabus Guides
You can find further details about Rockschool’s Ukulele syllabus by downloading the syllabus guide from our website:
www.rslawards.com
All candidates should download and read the accompanying syllabus guide when using this grade book. Please note that
clarifications and updates to syllabus guides are noted at the back of each document.

Performance and Technical Guidance
Students, candidates and teachers may find the following guidance helpful in using the grade book and preparing for a
Rockschool examination. Please see below.

■ T uning
Pieces and technical tests have been arranged for re-entrant tuned ukuleles. This is specifically to prepare for the
specific techniques which build through the syllabus. If you wish to take a Rockschool exam using an alternative
standard tuning, please contact Rockschool.

■ Fingering
Any fingering annotation is given as a guide only. Tablature positions are also given for guidance, except where
stipulated to achieve the required technical outcomes (for example, in campanella passages).

■ Interpretation
Notation should be performed as written, except where there are performance indications to ad lib. / improvise / develop,
etc. In these instances, the candidate will be marked on their ability to interpret the music in a stylistically appropriate
way, commensurate with the grade level.

■ Adaptation
A small degree of adaptation is allowed where, for example, hand stretches do not facilitate the required notated parts.
Marks may be deducted if adaptation results in over-simplification of the notation. If in doubt you can submit any
adaptation enquiries to: [email protected]
Further adaptation (for example, alternative solos) will be marked according to the equivalent outcomes achieved.

■ Articulation & Dynamics
Where articulation and dynamics are marked on the notation, they should be followed. Where it is open to
interpretation, the candidate is free to take their own approach, in accordance with the style of the piece.

■ C hord Symbols
Most Hit Tune arrangements have chord symbols written above the notation. This is purely for guidance, and to
assist the candidate and teacher. Some pieces (for example, film score arrangements) do not contain chord symbol
information, as is more customary with these kinds of scores.

44

Marking Schemes

Grade Exams | Debut to Grade 5 *

ELEMENT PASS MERIT DISTINCTION
12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 1 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 2 9–10 out of 15 11–12 out of 15 13 + out of 15

Performance Piece 3 6 out of 10 7–8 out of 10 9 + out of 10

Technical Exercises 6 out of 10 7–8 out of 10 9 + out of 10
3 out of 5 4 out of 5 5 out of 5
Sight Reading 74%+ 90%+
or

Improvisation & Interpretation

Ear Tests

General Musicianship Questions

TOTAL MARKS 60%+

Grade Exams | Grades 6–8 PASS MERIT DISTINCTION
12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
ELEMENT 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 1 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 2 9–10 out of 15 11–12 out of 15 13 + out of 15
Performance Piece 3 7–8 out of 10 9 + out of 10
Technical Exercises 6 out of 10 7–8 out of 10 9 + out of 10
Quick Study Piece 6 out of 10 5 out of 5
3 out of 5 4 out of 5
Ear Tests 90%+
General Musicianship Questions 60%+ 74%+

TOTAL MARKS

Performance Certificates | Debut to Grade 8 *

ELEMENT PASS MERIT DISTINCTION Ukulele Grade 1
Performance Piece 1 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 2 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 3 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 4 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20
Performance Piece 5 12–14 out of 20 15–17 out of 20 18+ out of 20

TOTAL MARKS 60%+ 75%+ 90%+ 45

* Note that there are no Debut Vocal exams.

Ukulele Notation Explained

Finger picking

THE MUSICAL STAVE Notes: wwwwC p ima D F
shows pitches and rhythms
and is divided by lines into ACEF DGBEF 0003 thumb index middle annular 25 ’’’’
bars. Pitches are named a er C chord 22
the rst seven letters of Strings: &˙ #œ œ œ œ4 ÛÛ ÛÛRhythm notation withAd lib. and cont. sim. sections
the alphabet. 1 3 2 suggested ngering are shown in slash notation
TABLATURE graphically A BAT 2
represents the ukulele E 4th string, Fretting hand ngers
C 2nd fret 12
ngerboard. Each horizontal G
line represents a string, and 12
each number represents a fret.

De nitions For Ukulele Notation

HAMMER-ON: Play the lower note, PULL-OFF: Play the higher note then SLIDE: Play the rst note, then slide STRING BENDS: Play the rst note then
then sound the higher note by sound the lower note by li ing the to the next with the same nger. bend up or bend down (release the bend)
fretting it without repicking. to the pitch indicated in brackets.
nger without repicking. &œ œ
&œ œ &œ œ œ
&œ œ

BAT 3 5 BAT 5 3 BAT 2 BU BD
BAT 2 ( 3 ) ( 2 )
4

GLISSANDO: A small slide o of a note DOWNSTROKE: When using a pick, UPSTROKE: When using a pick,
toward the end of its rhythmic duration. this symbol indicates a downstroke. this symbol indicates an upstroke.
Do not slide ‘into’ the following note –
subsequent notes should be repicked. ≥ ≤
&œ
&œ œ &œ

AT 2 4 AT 3 AT 3
B B B

D.%. al Coda • Go back to the sign (%), then play until
D.C. al Fine
fithe bar marked To Coda then skip to
.. .. fithe section marked Coda.

• Go back to the beginning of the song and
play until the bar marked Fine (end).

• Repeat the bars between the repeat signs.

Ukulele Grade 1 1. 2. • When a repeated section has di erent
endings, play the rst ending only the rst
.. .. time and the second ending only the
second time.

46

Copyright Information Ukulele Grade 1

I’m Yours
(Mraz)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Over The Rainbow
(Arlen/Harburg)
EMI United Partnership Ltd.
Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
(Adkins/Martin/Shellback)
Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. / Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
Stand By Me
(Leiber/Stoller/King)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.
Take Me Home
(Glynne/Mac/Hector/Tsang)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. / Universal Music Publishing Ltd.
Wild World
(Stevens)
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.

47

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