The end of Grade 1is a song called “Smile”. It’s a heck of song for a beginners final exam. I’ve been working on it for a month or two and I’m getting close.
I realized I’ve never heard the song played on a guitar. There’s the backing track but it’s not the same thing as someone playing it.
Probably not the best to ask other first graders. I should probably post in Recordings
I’m currently grade 2/module 11 and I agree that this a pretty tough one at the end of grade 1. Especially not an easy strumming rhytm. It wasn’t perfect when I played it then and it isn’t now, but I just recorded myself playing it:
This is my first post here and still learning guitar (obviously), any feedback on it is appreciated! Hopefully it’s also helpful for you.
Welcome to the Forum Jovatov.
Good to see your jumping right in to help someone out on your first post
you’ll fit in nicely here. 
Hi Jovatov, welcome to the forum!
Your chords are ringing nicely, no muted stings or buzz. You change them smoothly and your strumming hand is moving constantly. All good stuff, you are on the right path, just keep practicing. I look forward to seeing your progress.
As Rick said, good to see you helping others as well!
Been here a long long time before the app arrived but so good to see a “newb” helping out a fellow beginner. It is what this place is all about, regardless of level or experience, it’s all about supporting your fellow students.
Welcome to the forum Jovatov, you will fit right in !! 
Hi Jovatov,
What a first post 
also your first video that’s a big thing for most of us, congratulations on that, great job 
Maybe you’ve already done it, I’m a bit behind, but an introductory post would also be nice, but it’s not necessary of course, but I would like to hear more from you.
welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun
Greetings,Rogier
Thank you for the recording. It sounds amazing and nothing like what I’m doing. Thank you for sharing. Now that I know what it’s supposed to sound like I’ll keep trying. Having a goal really helps
Jovatov, he man, welcome and well done mate, what’s not to like about you doing this, well done my friend, keep going CHEERS HEC
Amen–I thought to myself, “how am I making this so hard? I cannot hear the rhythm–it’s as if as an anglophone I was trying to listen to/speak a tonal language and just not hearing what people are saying, nor being able to repeat things said to me r-e-e-e-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y”
The song is in 6/8 time signature but the suggested rhythm pattern uses triplet 16ths to give its distinctive (slightly challenging) groove.
I have created an audio track and tab to show how to count / practice the rhythm.
@Jovatov Kudos and good vibes - your first post and sharing a recording to offer your help and suggestion to another beginner. Bravo. 
Great job @Jovatov , it’s nice to know someone is progressing (I’m still struggling through lesson 10 practice sessions like a slow-motion train wreck on endless repeat).
Yes, kudos to @jovatov – well done on many levels.
Thanks @Richard_close2u for distilling this down to something my simple brain could grok.
this post of yours is obviously emanating from a pedagogical mind:
“how many ways can I simply convey this to folks with different knowledge bases?..”
Hi Richard–
Thanks for your patience:
So I went back to practice, and exposed my misunderstanding:
I guess I confused the first six count as 6/4 time?
I think I’ve got wires wrapped around the incorrect posts…
So, the “_” is counting, and the 1,a,3,4,a,6 are the strums?
See if this different representation help:
1 x x a 3 x 4 x x a 6 x
D x x U D x D x x U D x
Each x represents a down or an up but a missed strum.
