Initial Grade
We keep Initial exercises to 4–6 bars, in C major or D minor, in 4/4 or 2/4. Each hand plays on its own, five fingers from tonic to dominant. Simple note values, the odd slur, and mf, p and f.
The first 5 levels of this grade are on the free plan. The rest need Pro.
C Major (Right Hand)
C Major (Left Hand)
D Minor (Right Hand)
D Minor (Left Hand)
Grade certificates
SightReader is not affiliated with or endorsed by ABRSM.
Frequently asked questions
What do Initial Grade sight-reading exercises cover?
We keep Initial exercises to 4–6 bars, in C major or D minor, in 4/4 or 2/4. Each hand plays on its own, five fingers from tonic to dominant. Simple note values, the odd slur, and mf, p and f.
How many levels are in Initial Grade?
Initial Grade has 20 levels. Each is a short exercise newly written to that grade’s parameters, and they run in order so every level builds on the one before it. Stars record how clean each run was, and your best score for a level is the one that sticks.
How do I know if I’m ready for Initial Grade?
Try the placement check — three minutes, no account needed. As a rule your sight-reading grade sits a grade or two below the repertoire you play, so if you are learning Grade 5 pieces then Grade 3 reading is a realistic place to begin.
Are Initial Grade exercises the same as the real exam test?
No. Real exam tests use unseen, single-use music given to you on the day, and we are not affiliated with ABRSM or endorsed by them. Ours are newly written to the same published parameters — keys, time signatures, hand position, length — so the difficulty matches.
Is Initial Grade free?
The first five levels of every grade from Initial to Grade 5 are free to everyone. Beyond that — the later levels, and Grades 6, 7 and 8 in full — needs Pro at £5 a month. The free tier has no time limit and no card.
What happens when I finish Initial Grade?
You get a certificate you can download as a PDF or share by link, and the next grade opens. Levels count as complete only on hands-together runs: practising one hand records your accuracy and timing, but does not tick the level off or advance the grade.