Practical Saxophone Grade 1 exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
Find out about our Performance Grades and alternative route to a graded music exam.
Practical Saxophone Grade 1 exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
Find out about our Performance Grades and alternative route to a graded music exam.
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dowland arr. Denley |
 Fine Knacks for Ladiesfrom The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres |
|
| 2 | Handel arr. Scott-Burt |
March from Scipio, HWV 20 |
|
| 3 | Trad. Scottish arr. Bullard |
Skye Boat Song
|
|
| 4 | Brahms arr. Scott |
Cradle Song |
 Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and ScottAstute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 5 | Trad. Russian arr. Buckland |
Song of the Volga Boatmen |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 6 | Glazunov arr. Harris and Calland |
Theme and Variations | |
| 7 | Schubert arr. Kolman |
Entr'acte Music from Rosamunde, D. 797 |
|
| 8 | Philip Sparke | A Victorian Ballad | |
| 9 | Susato arr. Sparke |
Les grands douleurs Basse Dance No. 6 from Danserye |
|
| 10 | Trad. Irish arr. Lawrance |
The Minstrel Boy |
 Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. LawranceBrass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Alto Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331APA) |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brahms arr. Litten |
Sandmännchen (The Little Sandman) No. 4 from Volks-Kinderlieder, WoO 31 |
|
| 2 | Ned Bennett | Jazz Music for Beetles from Jazz Club Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2 |
|
| 3 | James Rae | On the Ball
|
|
| 4 | Ned Bennett | Open Window from Jazz Club Alto Saxophone, Grades 1–2 |
|
| 5 | Rob Buckland | Saxi-Taxi |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for E♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-14) |
| 6 | James Rae | Rumba | |
| 7 | R. and R. Sherman arr. Lawrance |
Truly Scrumptious from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Alto Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331APA) |
| 8 | Philip Sparke | Nice to See You Again | |
| 9 | Ros Stephen | Guanabara Bay No. 1 from E♭ Saxophone Globetrotters |
|
| 10 | Sullivan arr. Sparke |
Ah, leave me not to pine from The Pirates of Penzance |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Morrison | Swinging Circles No. 4 from Blues for One, Vol. 1 |
|
| 2 | Graham Salter | Gossip from 35 Melodic Studies for Saxophone |
|
| 3 | Trad. English arr. Lewin |
Sweet Nightingale
|
|
| 4 | Alan Bullard | Marching Sax Or Sax Café No. 3 Or No. 5 from Sixty for Sax |
|
| 5 | Garnier | Study in C | |
| 6 | Lazarus | Study in C | |
| 7 | Mike Mower | Knock Knock No. 6 from The Good-Tempered Saxophone |
|
| 8 | Mark Nightingale | Logging On No. 1 from [email protected] for Saxophone |
|
| 9 | James Rae | Blue Waltz No. 2 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
|
| 10 | Karen Street | Easy P.C. |
Three pieces: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C - 30 marks each
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dowland arr. Denley |
Fine Knacks for Ladies from The Second Booke of Songs or Ayres |
|
| 2 | Handel arr. Scott-Burt |
March from Scipio, HWV 20 |
|
| 3 | Trad. Scottish arr. Bullard |
Skye Boat Song | |
| 4 | Brahms arr. Scott |
Cradle Song |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 5 | Trad. Russian arr. Buckland |
Song of the Volga Boatmen |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 6 | Glazunov arr. Harris and Calland |
Theme and Variations | |
| 7 | Schubert arr. Kolman |
Entr'acte Music from Rosamunde, D. 797 |
|
| 8 | Philip Sparke | A Victorian Ballad | |
| 9 | Susato arr. Sparke |
Les grands douleurs Basse Dance No. 6 from Danserye |
|
| 10 | Trad. Irish arr. Lawrance |
The Minstrel Boy |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Tenor Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331TPA) |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brahms arr. Litten |
Sandmännchen (The Little Sandman) No. 4 from Volks-Kinderlieder, WoO 31 |
|
| 2 | Ned Bennett | Jazz Music for Beetles | |
| 3 | James Rae | On the Ball | |
| 4 | Ned Bennett | Open Window from Jazz Club Tenor Saxophone, Grades 1–2 |
|
| 5 | Rob Buckland | Saxi-Taxi |
Time Travels for Saxophone, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-09) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Time Travels for B♭ Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Buckland and Scott Astute Music (am242-13) |
| 6 | James Rae | Rumba | |
| 7 | R. and R. Sherman arr. Lawrance |
Truly Scrumptious from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang |
Winner Scores All for Saxophone, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331) More details Piano accomp. published separately as Winner Scores All for Tenor Saxophone, Piano accompaniment, arr. Lawrance Brass Wind (0331TPA) |
| 8 | Philip Sparke | Nice to See You Again | |
| 9 | Ros Stephen | Guanabara Bay No. 1 from B♭ Saxophone Globetrotters |
|
| 10 | Sullivan arr. Sparke |
Ah, leave me not to pine from The Pirates of Penzance |
| No. | Composer | Piece information | Publication(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Morrison | Swinging Circles No. 4 from Blues for One, Vol. 1 |
|
| 2 | Graham Salter | Gossip from 35 Melodic Studies for Saxophone |
|
| 3 | Trad. English arr. Lewin |
Sweet Nightingale | |
| 4 | Alan Bullard | Marching Sax Or Sax Café No. 3 Or No. 5 from Sixty for Sax |
|
| 5 | Garnier | Study in C | |
| 6 | Lazarus | Study in C | |
| 7 | Mike Mower | Knock Knock No. 6 from The Good-Tempered Saxophone |
|
| 8 | Mark Nightingale | Logging On No. 1 from [email protected] for Saxophone |
|
| 9 | James Rae | Blue Waltz No. 2 from 36 More Modern Studies for Solo Saxophone |
|
| 10 | Karen Street | Easy P.C. |
Candidates enter for an exam on Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Baritone saxophone. There are separate repertoire lists for the Eb and Bb instruments; all other requirements are common to the four instruments.
Related instrument option: At all grades, candidates for any of the four saxophones (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) have the option of playing their List C piece on one of the other three. There is no advantage to be gained over other candidates in taking this option, and all the other requirements must be played using the saxophone on which the candidate has entered.
In Grades 1–3, candidates may play a non-metal saxophone.
