Performance Pieces

The Premiere exam lasts 10 minutes, during which you will play five Performance Pieces. There is a choice of six pieces in the Rockschool Guitar Method book and an additional three ensemble pieces at the back of the book. Candidates should choose five out of these nine pieces to play in the examination.

Performance Pieces

At Debut the performance pieces last up to a maximum of 1 minute. This is so the candidate can remain focused and concentrate on the basic requirements of notation, values, sound, control and sync. The pieces contain simple position work and work across strings is simple and paced.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18

• Jimi Hendrix – Hey Joe
• Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
• Ben E. King – Stand By Me
• Adele – Hello
• Muddy Waters – Hoochie Coochie Man
• Sam Smith – Stay With Me

Rockschool Originals

• Another Dime
• 101
• Beat the Mersey
• Helicopter
• Cashville
• Spike

Technical Exercises

At Debut there are three groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales

Tempo: 70 bpm

• Major: C
• Minor pentatonic: A, E

GROUP B – Chords

Open position chords. Individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.

• Major: A, D, C, G
• Minor: A, E

GROUP C – Riff

In the exam, candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade Debut book to a backing track. The riff shown in bar 1 should be played in the same shape in bars 2–4. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent three bars.

Supporting Tests

Sight Reading

Tempo: 70 bpm

At Debut candidates will be offered a previously unseen sight reading test that is in the form of a four-bar rhythm played on the lowest-sounding E string. An example is shown in the Debut grade book.

The test is made up of half and quarter notes and will be in 4/4. The examiner will allow 90 seconds of preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. The candidate will then perform the test for the examination.

Ear Tests

There are two tests: Melodic Recall and Rhythmic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 85bpm

The examiner will play two half notes one after the other. Candidates will tell the examiner whether the second note is higher or lower in pitch than the first note. Candidates will hear the test twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in. Answers can be ‘higher/lower’ or ‘up/down’.

Rhythmic Recall

Tempo: 80 bpm

Key: Low E string

The examiner will play a two-bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string. Candidates will hear the test twice, and will then be asked to play the rhythm back. Candidates will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two examples shown. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise. Next candidates will hear a vocal count-in and will then be required to play the rhythm to the drum backing, before identifying the rhythm from the examples shown.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about the candidate’s instrument. For this section of the exam, candidates choose the piece on which to be tested.

Music Knowledge

In Debut candidates will be asked to identify:

• The music stave and the TAB
• The treble clef
• Half and quarter note values

Instrument Knowledge

In Debut candidates will be asked to identify:

• One of the following parts of their guitar: neck, body, tuning-pegs or bridge

Performance Pieces

At Grade 1 the performance pieces last up to a maximum of 1 minute 15 seconds. This is so the candidate can remain focused and concentrate on the basic requirements of notation, values, sound, control and sync. The pieces contain simple position work and work across strings is simple and paced.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18

• Adele – Rolling In The Deep
• The Script – The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
• The Temptations – My Girl
• Booker T & the M.G.’s – Green Onions
• Green Day – Basket Case
• Stereophonics – Dakota

Rockschool Originals

• Get Off
• Umbra Bella
• Just Don’t Know
• Krauss Country
• ICAUFO
• Fab Stomp

Technical Exercises

At Grade 1 there are three groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales

Tempo: 70 bpm

• Major: C
• Natural minor: A
• Minor pentatonic: A, E
• Major pentatonic: G

GROUP B – Chords

• Powerchords: two-note chords to be played in a continuous sequence.
• Major: A, D, E, C, G: individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
• Minor: A, D, E individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.

GROUP C – Riff

Tempo: 70 bpm

In the exam candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 1 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bar 1 should be played in the same shape in bars 2–4. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent three bars

Supporting Tests

At Grade 1, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test. An example is shown in the Grade 1 book.

Sight Reading

Key: A minor

Tempo: 70 bpm

At Grade 1 the sight reading test is in the form of a melody consisting of half and quarter notes in 4/4. The test is four bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Key: C major or A minor

Tempo: 70–80 bpm

At Grade 1, candidates have the choice of playing a lead line or rhythm (chord) line. The test is four bars long and candidates will have 30 seconds preparation time. The examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track, and then on the repeat the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests: Melodic Recall and Rhythmic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 85 bpm

The examiner will play three notes in sequence. Candidates will tell the examiner whether the second note is higher or lower in pitch than the first note and whether the third note is higher or lower than the second. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar vocal count-in. Answers can be ‘higher then lower’ or ‘up then down’ (as appropriate).

Rhythmic Recall

Key: Low E string

Tempo: 90 bpm

The examiner will play a two-bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string. Candidates will hear the test twice and will then be asked to play the rhythm back. Candidates will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two examples shown to them by the examiner. The test is made up of quarter and eighth notes and quarter-note rests. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise. Next, candidates will hear a vocal count-in and will then play the rhythm to the drum backing, before identifying the rhythm from the examples shown.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument. For this section of the exam candidates choose the piece about which the five questions will be asked. The examiner will ask four music knowledge questions and one instrument knowledge question.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 1, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The treble clef
• The time signature
• Whole, half, quarter and eighth note values
• The difference between a major and minor chord

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 1, candidates will be asked to identify:

• One of the following parts of their guitar: neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, nut pickups or bridge
• One main guitar brand other than the brand they are playing
• Names of the open strings

Performance Pieces

At Grade 2 the pieces last up to a maximum of 1 minute 30 seconds. The length of the piece is designed so the candidate can remain focused and concentrate on the requirements of notation accuracy, basic technical control, articulation, sound and sync.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18

• Arthur Conley – Sweet Soul Music
• One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
• Jessie J – Domino
• AC/DC – Rock ‘N’ Roll Train
• The Meters – Cissy Strutt
• The Beatles – Helter Skelter

Rockschool Originals

• Cranked
• Ska’d For Life
• Bonecrusher
• Hit It Harder
• The Faith Divide
• Buzz Saw

Technical Exercises

At Grade 2 there are three groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales

Tempo: 80 bpm

• Major: C, G
• Natural minor: A, E
• Minor pentatonic: C, G Q Major pentatonic: C, G

GROUP B – Chords

• Powerchords: three-note chords to be played in a continuous sequence.
• Major: C,F,G individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
• Minor 7th: A, D, E individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner. Q Major 7th: A, C, D individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.

GROUP C – Riff

Tempo: 80 bpm

In the exam, candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 2 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bars 1 and 2 should be played in the same shape in bars 3–8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent bars.

Supporting Tests

At Grade 2, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test. An example is shown in the Grade 2 book.

Sight  Reading

Key: C or G major

Tempo: 70 bpm

At Grade 2 the sight reading test is in the form of a melody consisting of half, quarter eighth notes and quarter-note rests in 4/4. The test is four bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Key: G major or E minor

Tempo: 80–90 bpm

At Grade 2, candidates have the choice of playing a lead line or rhythm (chord) line. The test is four bars long and candidates will have 30 seconds preparation time. The examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track and then on the repeat, the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests:, Melodic Recall and Rhythmic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Key: C Minor pentatonic

Tempo: 85 bpm

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be ascending. Candidates will be required to play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap for practise, followed by a vocal count-in after which candidates will play the melody to the drum backing.

Rhythmic Recall

Key: E string

Tempo: 90 bpm

The examiner will play a two-bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string. Candidates will hear the test twice and will then be asked to play the rhythm back. Candidates will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two examples shown to them by the examiner. The test is made up of quarter and eighth notes and quarter-note rests. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise. Next, candidates will hear a vocal count-in and will then play the rhythm to the drum backing, before identifying the rhythm from the examples shown.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument. For this section of the exam candidates choose the piece about which the five questions will be asked.

Music Knowledge 

In Grade 2, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The pitch name of notes
• The meaning of the time signature marking
• Whole, half, quarter, eighth and 16th note values Q Rest values
• The construction of a major or minor chord

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 2, candidates will be asked to identify:

• One of the following parts of their guitar: neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, scratch plate, nut, pickups, jack socket or bridge
• The location of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• Names of all open strings

Performance Pieces

At Grade 3 the pieces last up to a maximum of 2 minutes. The length of the piece is designed so the candidate can remain focused and concentrate on the requirements of notation accuracy, quality of sound, stylistic techniques and articulation, control, preliminary solo and improvisation elements and sync.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18

• Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
• Ike & Tina Turner – Proud Mary
• Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble
• Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
• Bryan Adams – Summer of ’69
• Otis Redding – (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay

Rockschool Originals

• Overrated
• Old Bones Blues
• Indecisive
• Maiden Voyage
• Reggae Island
• Fallout

Technical Exercises

At Grade 3 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales (two octaves in quarter notes)

Tempo: 90 bpm

• Major: G, A, B
• Natural minor: G, A, B
• Minor pentatonic: G, A, B
• Major pentatonic: G, A, B
• Blues: G,A, B

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in quarter notes)

Tempo: 90 bpm

• Major: G, A, B
• Minor: G, A, B

GROUP C – Chords

Major and minor barre chords: To be played in a continuous sequence

Dominant 7th: A, C, D, E Individual chords will be strummed once and then picked (arpeggiated)

GROUP D – Riff

Tempo: 90 bpm

In the exam candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 3 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bars 1 and 2 should be played in the same shape in bars 3–8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent bars.

Supporting Tests

At Grade 3, candidates will be offered a choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test. An example is shown in the Grade 3 book.

Sight Reading

Key: G major or A minor

Tempo: 75–85 bpm

At Grade 3 the sight reading test is in the form of a melody consisting of half, quarter eighth notes and quarter-note rests in 4/4. The test is four bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds of preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Key: G major or A minor

Tempo: 80–90 bpm

At Grade 3, candidates have the choice of playing a lead line or rhythm (chord) line. The test is four bars long. Candidates will have 30 seconds of preparation time and the examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track and then on the repeat, the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests: Melodic Recall and Rhythmic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Key: G minor pentatonic

Tempo: 85 bpm

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be ascending. Candidates will be required to play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap for practise, followed by a vocal count-in after which candidates will play the melody to the drum backing.

Rhythmic Recall

Key: E string

Tempo: 90 bpm

The examiner will play a two-bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string. Candidates will hear the test twice and will then be asked to play the rhythm back. Candidates will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two examples shown to them by the examiner. The test is made up of quarter notes, eighth notes, quarter-note rests and eighth-note rests. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise. Next, candidates will hear a vocal count-in and will then play the rhythm to the drum backing, before identifying the rhythm from the examples shown.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument. For this section of the exam, candidates choose the piece about which the five questions will be asked.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 3, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The pitch name of notes
• The meaning of the time signature marking
• Whole, half, quarter, eighth and 16th note values Q Rest values
• The construction of a major or minor chord

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 3, candidates will be asked to identify:

• One of the following parts of their guitar: neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, scratch plate, nut, pickups, jack socket or bridge
• The location of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The location of the volume/gain controls on the amp

Performance Pieces

At Grade 4 the pieces last up to a maximum of 2 minutes 15 seconds. The pieces are over two pages and are designed so the candidate can retain focus and concentration. Emphasis is on notation accuracy, stylistic sound and articulation, and technical control including the execution of instrumental techniques, developing solo and improvisation elements and sync.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18:

• Bruno Mars – Treasure
• WALK THE MOON – Shut Up And Dance
• James Brown – My Thang
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – I Need You
• John Legend & The Roots – Our Generation (The Hope of the World)
• B.B. King – The Thrill Is Gone

Rockschool Originals:

• Base Jumper
• Crop Duster
• Circus Experience
• Dirt Wizard
• Funkometer
• Carbon Footprint

Technical Exercises

At Grade 4 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales (two octaves in quarter notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

Prepared in two fingerings from the 6th string. The examiner will ask for the same scale in the two fingerings.

• Major: A, B, C, D
• Natural minor: A, B, C, D
• Minor pentatonic A, B, C, D
• Major pentatonic A, B, C, D
• Blues: A, B, C, D

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in quarter notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

• Major 7th: A, B, C, D
• Minor 7th: A, B, C, D
• Dominant 7th: A, B, C, D

GROUP C – Chords

CHORDS TO BE PREPARED ON BOTH E AND A STRINGS

Individual chords will be strummed once and then picked (arpeggiated).

• Major 7th: B, C, D
• Minor 7th: B, C, D
• Dominant 7th: B, C, D

GROUP D – Riff

Tempo: 100 bpm

In the exam candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 4 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bars 1 and 2 should be played in the same shape in bars 3–8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent bars.

Supporting Tests

At Grade 4, candidates will be offered a choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test and an example is shown in the Grade 4 book.

Sight Reading

Tempo: 80–90 bpm
Key: D or G major, D or A minor

At Grade 4 there is an element of improvisation. This is in the form of a two-bar ending. The piece will be composed in the style of rock, funk or blues and will have chord symbols throughout. At Grade 4 the notation consists of half, quarter eighth notes and quarter and eighth-note rests in 4/4. The test is eight bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds of preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Tempo: 90–100 bpm
Key: D or G major, D or A minor

In Grade 4, the Improvisation and Interpretation test contains a small amount of sight reading. This consists of a two-bar section of rhythm (chord) notation at the beginning of the test. Candidates will be asked to play the chords in the rhythms indicated and complete the test using an improvised line made up of chords and lead lines where indicated. This is played to a backing track of eight bars. Candidates will have 30 seconds of preparation time and the examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track and then on the repeat, the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: C major pentatonic or B minor pentatonic

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be descending. Candidates will be required to play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise, followed by a vocal count-in after which candidates will play the melody to the drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: C major

Candidates will hear a tonic chord followed by a two-bar sequence in the key of C major played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IV and V chords and may occur in any combination. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the example from the Grade book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the sequence they have played to the examiner. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing. Candidates will then hear the count-in and tonic for the third time followed by a vocal count-in then must play the chords to the drum backing. Candidates should then identify the chords.

General Musicianship Questions

For this section of the exam, candidates choose the piece about which the five questions will be asked. The examiner will ask four music knowledge questions and one instrument knowledge question.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 4 you will be asked to identify:

• The pitch name of notes
• The meaning of the time signature and key signature marking
• Repeat marks, first and second time bars, D.C., D.S., al Coda and al Fine markings
• Whole, half, quarter, eighth note, triplet eighth notes and 16th note values
• Whole, half, quarter, eighth note and 16th note rests and rest combinations
• The construction of major, minor or dominant 7 chords
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the piece you have played.

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 4, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Any part or control on your guitar
• The function of the volume and tone controls on your guitar
• The tone settings for the piece you have played on the amp and why you have chosen these settings

Performance Pieces

At Grade 5 the pieces last up to a maximum of 2 minutes 30 seconds. The pieces are over four pages. Emphasis is on notation accuracy, execution of stylistic techniques, technical control, developing solo and improvisation elements and communication of the music.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18

• Eminem – Lose Yourself (Live Version)
• Beyoncé – Love On Top
• The Meters – People Say
• Average White Band – Pick Up The Pieces
• Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally
• AC/DC – Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be

Rockschool Originals

• Geek
• Rollin’
• Do Balanço
• Tiberius
• Smack Talk
• Slam Dunk Funk

Technical Exercises

At Grade 5 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales (two octaves in eighth notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes F, G and A. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes B, C and D. Candidates may have to make adjustments for open strings in fingerings of some scales.

• Major: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Natural minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Minor pentatonic: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Major pentatonic: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Blues: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Harmonic minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in quarter notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

• Major: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)

GROUP C – Chords

Major and minor triads played in three inversions on the top three strings in the key of C. To be played in a continuous sequence.

GROUP D – Riff

Tempo: 100 bpm

In the exam, candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 5 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bars 1 and 2 should be played in the same shape in bars 3–8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent bars.

Supporting Tests

At Grade 5, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test. An example is shown in the Grade 5 book.

Sight Reading

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: F or G major, E or G minor

At Grade 5 there is an element of improvisation. This is in the form of a two-bar ending. The piece will be composed in the style of rock, funk or blues and will have chord symbols throughout. At Grade 5 the notation consists of half, quarter eighth notes and quarter note and eighth-note rests in 4/4. The test is eight bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds of preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Tempo: 90–100 bpm
Key: A or G major, E or G minor

In Grade 5, the improvisation and interpretation test contains a small amount of sight reading. This consists of a two-bar section of rhythm (chord) notation at the beginning of the test. Candidates will be asked to play the chords in the rhythm indicated and complete the test using an improvised line made up of chords and lead lines where indicated. This is played to a backing track of eight bars. Candidates will have 30 seconds preparation time and the examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track and then on the repeat, the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: D Major pentatonic or A Minor pentatonic

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be descending. Candidates will be required to play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap for practise, followed by a vocal count-in after which candidates will play the melody to the drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: G major

Candidates will hear a tonic chord followed by a two-bar sequence in the key of G major played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IV, V and VIm chords and may occur in any combination. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the example from the grade book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the sequence they have played to the examiner. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing. Candidates will then hear the count-in and tonic for the third time followed by a vocal count-in then must play the chords to the drum backing. Candidates should then identify the chords.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 5, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The names of pitches
• The meaning of accidentals: # (sharp), b (flat) and (natural) signs
• The meaning of the time signature, key signature and swing time markings
• Repeat marks, first and second time bars, D.C., D.S., al Coda and al Fine markings
• Hammer-ons, pull-offs, accents and vibrato markings
• The construction of minor 7, major 7 or dominant 7 chords
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the piece you have played

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 5, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Any part or control on their guitar
• The function of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The tone settings on the amp for the chosen piece, and why these settings were chosen

Performance Pieces

At Grade 6 the pieces last up to a maximum of 2 minutes 45 seconds. The pieces are over four pages. Emphasis is on notation accuracy, confident execution of stylistic techniques, secure technical control, maturing solo and improvisation elements and a clear sense of ownership and communication of the music.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Electric Guitar ’18:

• Breakestra – Cramp Your Style
• Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You (Live)
• Jill Scott – The Real Thing/The Way (Live)
• Soundgarden – Fell On Black Days
• Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover
• Cream – Crossroads

Rockschool Originals:

• Mohair Mountain
• Striped Shirt
• That Sounds Like Noise
• Blue Espresso
• Cranial Contraption
• Favela

Technical Exercises

At Grade 6 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales/Modes (two octaves in eighth notes)

Tempo: 100 bpm

Minor pentatonic:

All five positions to be prepared and played.

• G, B.

Modes:

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically.

• Dorian
• Mixolydian

GROUP B – Arpeggios (two octaves, two positions in eighth notes)

Tempo: 100 bpm

The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C—E chromatically.

• Major 7th
• Minor 7th
• Dominant 7th

GROUP C – Chords

Two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically. Chords should be strummed and then picked (arpeggiated).

• Minor7b5
• Diminished

GROUP D – Stylistic Study

Candidates will prepare a technical study from one group of styles from the list below. The choice of style will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece. Each study concentrates on two stylistic techniques.

• Rock/Metal: tapping and legato
• Funk: staccato phrasing and 16th-note strumming
• Jazz/Latin/Blues: string bends and double-stops

Supporting Tests

Quick Study Piece

At Grade 6 you will be asked to prepare and play a short Quick Study Piece. The style of your QSP is determined by the stylistic study you selected in the technical exercise section. You will be shown the test and played the track with the notated parts played. Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated.

You will then have three minutes to study the test. The backing track will be played twice more. You are allowed to practise during the first run through of the backing track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and it is up to you to create your own interpretation of the music in the parts marked for improvisation.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: D major pentatonic or D minor pentatonic or G natural minor

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be either the root note or fifth and the first interval will be either ascending or descending. Candidates will play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, root note, count-in, melody. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and root note for the third time, followed by a vocal count-in, and will then play the melody to the bass and drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: D major

The examiner will play a tonic chord followed by a four-bar chord sequence in the key of D major, played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IIm, IIIm, IV, V and VIm chords and may occur in any combination. The test will also contain V7. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the Grade 6 book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the chord sequence they have played to the examiner. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and tonic for the third time, followed by a vocal count-in, then will play the chords to the drum backing.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 6, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The names of pitches
• Any expressive musical marking found in the piece such as palm muting, accents, staccato, legato, vibrato
• Any dynamic marking found in the piece
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the chosen piece and its relation to the underlying harmony of the piece

Instrument Knowledge

The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding their instrument.

In Grade 6, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Where to find the same pitch on two different strings
• The function of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The tone set-up required on the amp for the chosen piece
• How to achieve changes in tone in a song

Performance Pieces

At Grade 7 the pieces last up to a maximum of 3 minutes 10 seconds. The pieces are over four pages. Emphasis is on notation accuracy, commanding execution of stylistic techniques and technical control, mature and creative solo and improvisation elements and a clear sense of ownership and communication of the music through performance.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18 

• Jeff Beck – Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
• Lettuce – Reunion
• Run D.M.C. & Aerosmith – Walk This Way
• Rihanna – Umbrella
• Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way
• Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing

Rockschool Originals 

• The Pants Era
• Soma
• Broadway and 9th
• Chaos Pad
• Natchez Trace
• Times Square

Technical Exercises

At Grade 7 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales/Modes (two octaves in eighth notes)

Minor pentatonic: 

All five positions to be prepared and played.

• G, B.

Modes: 

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically.

• Dorian
• Mixolydian

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in eighth notes)

Tempo: 100 bpm

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically.

• Major 9th
• Minor 9th
• Dominant 9th

GROUP C – Chords

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically. Chords should be strummed and then picked (arpeggiated).

• • Major 9th
  • Minor 9th
  • Dominant 9th

GROUP D – Stylistic Study

Candidates will prepare a technical study from one group of styles from the list below. The choice of style will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece. Each study concentrates on two stylistic techniques.

• • Rock/Metal: pinch harmonics and natural harmonics
  • Funk: chord embellishments and double-stops
  • Jazz/Latin/Blues: crossing strings and octaves

Supporting Tests

Quick Study Piece

At Grade 7, candidates will be asked to prepare and play a short Quick Study Piece. The style of the QSP is determined by the stylistic study selected in the technical exercise section. Candidates will be shown the test and played the track with the notated parts played. Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated. Candidates will then have three minutes to study the test. The backing track will be played twice more. Candidates are allowed to practise during the first run through of the backing track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and it is up to candidates to create their own interpretation of the music in the parts marked for improvisation.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: A major pentatonic or C minor pentatonic or A natural minor

The first note of the melody will be either the root note or fifth and the first interval will be either ascending or descending. Candidates will hear the test twice and will then be required to play back the melody on their instrument.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, root note, count-in, melody. There will be a short gap to practise after
the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and root note for the third time followed by a vocal count-in and will then play the melody to the bass and drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: D major

The examiner will play a tonic chord followed by a four-bar chord sequence in the key of A major played to a bass and drum
backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IIm, IIIm, IV,V and VIm chords and may occur in any combination. The test may also contain IIm7, IIIm7 and VIm7. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the Grade 7 book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the chord sequence they have played to the examiner. Candidates will hear the test twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and tonic for the third time, followed by a vocal count-in, after which they will be required to play the chords to the drum backing.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 7, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The names of pitches
• Any expressive musical marking found in the piece such as palm muting, accents, staccato, legato, vibrato
• Any dynamic marking found in the piece
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the chosen piece and its relation to the underlying harmony of the piece

Instrument Knowledge

The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding their instrument. In Grade 7, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Where to find the same pitch on two different strings
• The function of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The tone set-up required on the amp for the chosen piece
• How to achieve changes in tone in a song

Performance Pieces

At Grade 8 the pieces last up to a maximum of 3 minutes 45 seconds. The pieces are over four pages. Emphasis is on complex notation accuracy, commanding execution of stylistic techniques and technical control, mature and creative solo and improvisation elements and a clear sense of ownership and communication of the music through performance.

Featured Repertoire:

Rockschool Guitar ’18 

• Snarky Puppy – Native Sons
• Steve Vai – Die to Live
• Steely Dan – Kid Charlemagne
• D’Angelo – Spanish Joint
• Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River (Live iTunes Festival 2013)
• Albert Lee – Country Boy

Rockschool Originals 

• Meet Darth Ear
• Mind The Gaps
• Lead Sheet
• Freightshaker
• Nosso Samba
• Dark Matter

Technical Exercises

At Grade 8 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales/Modes (two octaves in eighth notes)

Tempo: 100 bpm

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically.

• Whole Tone
• Diminished
• Altered

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in eighth notes)

Tempo: 100 bpm

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically.

• Dominant 7#5
• Dominant 7b5
• Minor 7b5
• Dominant 7#9
• Dominant 7 b9
• Diminished

GROUP C – Chords

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes of G-B chromatically. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes of C-E chromatically. Chords should be strummed and then picked (arpeggiated).

• Dominant 7#5
• Dominant 7b5
• Dominant 7#9
• Dominant 7b9

GROUP D – Stylistic Study

Candidates will prepare a technical study from one group of styles from the list below. The choice of style will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece. Each study concentrates on two stylistic techniques.

• • Rock/Metal: crossing strings and alternate picking
  • Funk: chord embellishments and muted strings
  • Jazz/Latin/Blues: legato phrasing and alternate picking

Supporting Tests

Quick Study Piece

At Grade 8, candidates will be asked to prepare and play a short Quick Study Piece. The style of the QSP is determined by the stylistic study selected in the technical exercise section. Candidates will be shown the test and played the track with the notated parts played.

Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated. Candidates will then have three minutes to study the test. The backing track will be played twice more. Candidates are allowed to practise during the first run through of the backing track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and it is up to candidates to create their own interpretation of the music in the parts marked for improvisation.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: E major pentatonic or F minor pentatonic or B natural minor

The first note of the melody will be either the root, third or fifth note and the first interval will be either ascending or descending. Candidates will hear the test twice before playing the melody back on their instrument.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, root note, count-in, melody. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and root note for the third time, followed by a vocal count-in, and will then be required to play the melody to the bass and drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: E major

The examiner will play you a tonic chord followed by a four-bar chord sequence in the key of E major played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IIm, IIIm, IV, V and VIm chords and may occur in any combination. The test may also contain Imaj7 and IVmaj7. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the Grade 8 book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the chord sequence they have played to the examiner. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing of the test. Candidates will hear the count-in and tonic for the third time, followed by a vocal count-in, then will be required to play the chords to the drum backing.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 8, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The names of pitches
• Any expressive musical marking found in the piece such as palm muting, accents, staccato, legato, vibrato
• Any dynamic marking found in the piece
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the chosen piece and its relation to the underlying harmony of the piece

Instrument Knowledge

The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding their instrument. In Grade 8, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Where to find the same pitch on two different strings
• The function of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The tone set-up required on the amp for the chosen piece
• How to achieve changes in tone in a song