Exams/Sight-reading/ABRSM · Grade 1
Sight-reading
A short piece around eight bars long, in a simple key signature (up to one sharp or flat) and a clear time signature. Both hands play in basic five-finger positions. Half a minute to look at the music before playing.
Practice tips for this grade
Establish the pulse before the first note — count two free bars in your head.
Look at the clef, key signature and time signature first; the dots last.
Keep going if you slip — never stop and never go back to fix a wrong note.