Rockschool builds upon its 21 years of unrivalled experience in rock and pop examination by bringing you the 2012-2018 Syllabus. For this latest Syllabus, Rockschool have employed some of the most sought after professional musicians to ensure that their tunes are the most authentic on offer.
Guitar Syllabus features
- Plot your stylistic specialism - follow your preferred style up through the grades
- Introduction to tone - authentic tone and amp setting suggestions for each track
- TAB and Standard Notation
- 6 Performance pieces, 6 varying styles
- Fact files - band and artist background information with recommended further listening
- Walkthroughs - Hints and Tips on the tricky sections of the songs
- Free Choice Element - You can select 2 free choice pieces in your exam
All Rockschool grades are fully accredited throughout the UK by the qualifications regulators of England (OfQual) Wales (DCELLS) Northern Ireland (CCEA) AND Scotland (SQA Accreditation).
Key Features at Grade 1
- Double Stops, Staccato notes, Accents and Slides
- Major, Minor scales. Minor Pentatonic scales and chords
- Playback skills
Key Features at Grade 2
- Arpeggiated Chords, Palm Muting, Alternate picking, Pull offs, Shuffle feel
- Major and Natural Minor. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Major and Minor 7th chords
- Playback skills
Key Features at Grade 3
- Open string pedal tones, bends, pre bends, cross picking
- Major and Natural Minor scales. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Blues Scales, Major and Minor Arpeggios, barre chords
- Playback skills
Key Features at Grade 4
- Wide Stretches, Double Stop Fills, String Bends
- Major and Natural Minor. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Blues Scales in two fingering positions, Major, Minor and Dominant 7th Arpeggios and chords
- Playback skills
Key Features at Grade 5
- Natural harmonics, playing over changes
- Major and Natural Minor, Major and Minor Pentatonic scales, Blues Scales. All in two positins. Major and Minor Arpeggios over two octaves. Chords in three inversions
- Playback skills
Key Features at Grade 6
- Natural and Pinched Harmonics, Two hand tapping
- All 5 shapes of the Minor Pentatonic scale. Dorian Mode, Major 7th, Minor 7th and Dominant 7th Arpeggios and Chords. Stylistic Study
- Session Work
Key Features at Grade 7
- Articulated chromatic runs, Natural harmonics melodies, hybrid picking
- Lydian, Phrygian Mode, Jazz Melodic Minor, Major 9th, Minor 9th and Dominant 9th Arpeggios and Chords. Stylistic Study
- Session Work
Key Features at Grade 8
- Time Signature changes, 16th note triplets, fingerpicked chords
- Whole Tone, Diminished, Altered Scales, Dominant 7#5, Dominant 7b5, Dominant 7#9, Dominant 7b9 Arpeggios and Chords. Diminished Arpeggios and Stylistic Study
- Session Work
