Debut
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Rockschool grade exams are designed for contemporary musicians. The exams are designed for all age groups starting at an Initial grade and going up to advanced diploma courses. For a practising musician, the exams are designed for a multi year curriculum with skills and techniques going up at every grade level.
Rockschool has been producing music material for 30+ years to help musicians assess their progress. Rockschool is one of the widely recognised global brands for their certifications in musical instruments. They cover Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Singing, Ukulele, Drums, Violin, Bass Guitar, Music Production & Music Theory.
So, whether you are taking the first steps to learn or you are looking to improve your technical skills and proficiency in any musical instrument, Rockschool, London is a great choice for you. Explore Rockschool, London.
There are either three or four groups of technical exercise, depending on the grade:
| Debut - Grade 2 | Grade 3 - Grade 5 | Grade 6 - Grade 8 |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ Group A: Scales | Group A: Scales | Group A: Scales |
| ✓ Group B: Chords | Group B: Arpeggios | Group B: Arpeggios |
| ✓ Group C: Acoustic Riff | Group C: Chords | Group C: Chords |
| Group D: Acoustic Riff | Group D: Stylistic Study |
| Grade Level | Duration |
|---|---|
| Debut | 14 minutes |
| Grade 1 | 17 minutes |
| Grade 2 | 17 minutes |
| Grade 3 | 20 minutes |
| Grade 4 | 24 minutes |
| Grade 5 | 24 minutes |
| Grade 6 | 27 minutes |
| Grade 7 | 27 minutes |
| Grade 8 | 30 minutes |
Performance Piece 1
Maximum marks
20
Performance Piece 2
20
Performance Piece 3
20
Technical Exercises
20
Total
80
The Online Grade exam is a mixture of music performance and technical works. The techniques and skill level goes up with every grade. The grade exams are designed for students of all age groups. Candidates have to perform 3 songs from the set list or the Rockschool original tracks. Explore the exam syllabus at every grade.
At Debut there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Chords and Acoustic Riff.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A needs to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group B is played as a continuous sequence, with each chord announced by the examiner Group C is played to a backing track.
Tempo: Q=65
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: One octave
• C major
• E minor pentatonic A minor pentatonic
Open position chords. Individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
• Major: A, D, C G
• Minor: Am, Em
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.
Adele........................................................................'Rolling In The Deep'
The Script.........................................'The Man Who Can't Be Moved'
The Temptations..........................................................................'My Girl'
Booker T & The MGs......................................................The Lumineers
Stereophonics.................................................................'Green Onions'
Green Day............................................................................'Basket Case'
'Get Off'
'Umbra Bella'
'Just Don't Know'
'Krauss Country'
'ICAUFO'
'Fab Stomp'
At Grade 1 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Chords and Acoustic Riff.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A needs to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group B power chords need to be played as a continuous sequence to a click. Major and minor chords are played as individual chords, each chord being announced by the examiner.
Group C is played to a backing track.
Tempo: Q=70
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: One octave
• C major
• A natural minor
• E minor pentatonic
• A minor pentatonic
• G major pentatonic
1. Power chords. Two-note chords to be played in a continuous sequence
Tempo: Q=70
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
• Power Chords: B5, A5, D5
2. Open position chords. Individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
• Major: A, D, E, C & G
• Minor: Am, Dm, Em
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.
At Grade 2 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Chords and Acoustic Riff. All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A needs to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group B power chords need to be played as a continuous sequence to a click. Major & minor and major 7/minor 7 chords are played as individual chords, each announced by the examiner.
Group C is played to a backing track.
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: One octave
• C major
• G major
• E natural minor
• A natural minor
• G minor pentatonic
• G major pentatonic
• C minor pentatonic
• C major pentatonic
Power chords. Three-note chords to be played in a continuous sequence.
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
• Power Chords: E5, G5, A5, C5
Open position chords. Individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.
• Major & minor: F, Bm
• Major 7: A maj7, C maj7, D maj7
• Minor 7: A min7, D min7, E min7
The riff shown in bar 1-2 should be played in the same shape but transposed as shown in bars 3-8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the subsequent bars.
At Grade 3 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, Chords and Acoustic Riff.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks. Group C is played as directed by the examiner.
Group D is played to the backing track.
Tempo: Q=90
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: Two octaves
To be prepared in the following keys: G, A & B:
• Major
• Natural minor
• Minor pentatonic Major pentatonic
• Blues
Tempo: Q=90
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
To be prepared in the following keys: G, A & B:
• Major
• Minor
1. Partial barre chords
Two partial barre voicings for each chord type - played as directed by the examiner.
Major & minor: G, Am, Bm, C
2. Dominant 7 Chords
Individual chords will be strummed once and then picked (arpeggiated) – as directed by the examiner
The riff shown in bar 1-2 should be transposed and played as indicated in bars 3-8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the subsequent bars.
At Grade 4 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, Chords and Acoustic Riff.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group C 7th chords need to be played as a continuous sequence to a click. Major & minor full barre shapes are played as individual chords, each announced by the examiner.
Group D is played to the backing track
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
Range: Two octaves
Two fingerings, to be prepared in the following keys: A, Bb, B and C Both fingerings must be prepared for each scale type and key.
• Major
• Natural minor
• Minor pentatonic
• Major pentatonic
• Blues
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
To be prepared in the following keys: A, Bb, B & C
• Major 7
• Minor 7
• Dominant 7
1. Full barre chords
Individual chords will be strummed once and then picked (arpeggiated) – as directed by the examiner.
• 6th String root: A major, A minor
• 5th string root: D major, D minor
2. 7th Chords
7th chords played as a continuous sequence to a click Tempo:
Q=80
• A maj7, A dom7, D maj7, D dom7, Dm7, G dom7, Am7
The riff shown in bar 1-2 should be transposed and played as indicated in bars 3-8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the subsequent bars.
At Grade 5 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, Chords and Acoustic Riff.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use their book during the exam for all groups.
Group A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group C needs to be played as a continuous sequence to a click.
Group D is played to the backing track.
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
Range: Two octaves
• Major
• Natural minor
• Harmonic minor
• Minor pentatonic
• Major pentatonic
• Blues
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: key of F, G & A
• Root 5th (A) string: key of B, C & D
Tempo: Q=80
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: Two octaves
• Major
• Minor
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: key of F, G & A
• Root 5th (A) string: key of B, C & D
Tempo: Q=80
Major and minor triads
Three inversions on the top three strings in the key of C, as written in the grade book. To be played in a
continuous sequence to click.
Tempo: Q=85
The riff shown in bar 1-2 should be transposed and played as indicated in bars 3-8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the subsequent bars. Candidates must perform the riff to the backing track as supplied in the audio downloads.
At Grade 6 there are five groups of technical work: Scales, Modes, Arpeggios, Chords and Stylistic Study.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use the book during the exam for all groups.
Group A, B & C need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group D needs to be played as directed by the examiner.
Group E is played to the backing track.
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
• Major pentatonic exercise
• Minor pentatonic exercise
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: key of F#
• Root 5th (A) string: key of B
Tempo: 7th chords played as a continuous sequence to a click
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: Two octaves
• Dorian mode
• Mixolydian mode
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: keys of G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: keys of C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: Two octaves
• Major 7 Minor 7
• Dominant 7
To be prepared as follows:
Root 6th (E) string: keys of G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
Root 5th (A) string: keys of C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
To be strummed then arpeggiated.
• Minor 7b5
• Diminished 7
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: keys of G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: keys of C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Candidates must prepare their choice of stylistic study from the grade book and perform it to the backing track. Please note: the chosen style for the stylistic study will inform the Quick Study piece.
Styles:
• Rock & Pop
• Blues & Country
• Acoustic Specialist
'The Pants Era'
'Soma'
'Broadway And 9th'
'Chaos Pad'
'Natchez Trace'
'Times Square'
At Grade 7 there are four groups of technical work: Scales & Modes, Arpeggios, Chords and Stylistic Study.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use the book during the exam for all groups.
Group A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group C is played as directed by the examiner.
Group D is played to backing track .
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: Two octaves
• Lydian mode
• Phrygian mode
• Jazz melodic minor
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth notes
• Major 9
• Minor 9
• Dominant 9
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Strummed and then picked (arpeggiated):
• Major 9
• Minor 9
• Dominant 9
Candidates must prepare their choice of stylistic study from the grade book and perform it to the backing track. Please note: the chosen style for the stylistic study will inform the Quick Study piece.
Styles:
• Rock & Pop
• Blues & Country
• Acoustic Specialist
At Grade 8 there are four groups of technical work: Scales & Modes, Arpeggios, Chords and Stylistic Study.
All exercises need to be played in straight feel, in the keys, octaves and tempos shown. Candidates may use the book during the exam for all groups.
Group A & B need to be played to a click. The examiner will play the click at the given tempo and candidates should begin to play after four clicks.
Group C is played as directed by the examiner.
Group D is played to backing track.
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth Notes
Range: Two octaves
• Whole Tone
• Diminished
• Altered
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Tempo: Q=100
Rhythms: Eighth notes
Range: One octave
• Dominant 7#5
• Dominant 7b5
• Minor 7b5
• Dominant 7#9
• Dominant 7b9
• Diminished
To be prepared as follows:
• Root 6th (E) string: G, G#/Ab, A, A#/Bb, B
• Root 5th (A) string: C, C#/Db, D, D#/Eb, E
Strummed and then picked (arpeggiated)
• Dominant 7#5
• Dominant 7b5
• Dominant 7#9
• Dominant 7b9
Candidates must prepare their choice of stylistic study from the grade book and perform it to the backing track. Please note: the chosen style for the stylistic study will inform the Quick Study piece.
Styles:
• Rock & Pop
• Blues & Country
• Acoustic Specialist
(Source: Rockschool, Graded examinations in popular music performance, Acoustic Syllabus Specification).
| DEBUT-GRADE 3 | |
|---|---|
| Learning Outcomes The learner will: |
Assessment Criteria learner can: |
| 1. Perform music in a variety of styles set for the grade | 1.1 Apply skills, knowledge and understanding to present performances that demonstrate careful preparation, musical
awareness and the beginning of thoughtful interpretation
1.2 Perform with general security of pitch and rhythm, and with attention given to dynamics and articulation 1.3 Maintain a reasonable sense of continuity in performance and convey the mood of music in a variety of styles |
| 2. Demonstrate technical ability on an instrument through responding to set technical demands | 2.1 Demonstrate familiarity with the fundamentals of instrumental command 2.2 Demonstrate technical control and facility within set tasks |
| 3. Respond to set musicianship tests | 3.1 Recognize and respond to simple elements of music in a practical context 3.2 Demonstrate basic aural and musical awareness |
| GRADES 4-5 | |
|---|---|
| Learning Outcomes The learner will: |
Assessment Criteria learner can: |
| 1.Perform music in a variety of styles set for the grade | 1.1 Support their intentions in musical performance
1.2 Demonstrate an understanding of music that allows a degree of personal interpretation in performance 1.3 Perform with general accuracy, technical fluency and musical awareness to convey musical character in a variety of styles |
| 2.Demonstrate technical ability on an instrument through responding to set technical demands | 2.1 Demonstrate a developing instrumental command 2.2 Demonstrate technical control and facility within set tasks |
| 3.Respond to set musicianship tests | 3.1 Recognise and respond to elements of music in a practical context 3.2 Demonstrate aural and musical awareness |
| GRADES 6-8 | |
|---|---|
| Learning Outcomes The learner will: |
Assessment Criteria learner can: |
| 1.Perform music in a variety of styles set for the grade | 1.1 Integrate their musical skills, knowledge and understanding in performance
1.2 Present secure and sustained performances that demonstrate some stylistic interpretation 1.3 Perform with general accuracy, technical fluency and musical awareness to communicate musically in a variety of styles |
| 2.Demonstrate technical ability on an instrument through responding to set technical demands | 2.1 Demonstrate `instrumental command 2.2 Demonstrate technical control across the full compass of the instrument within set tasks |
| 3.Respond to set musicianship tests | 3.1 Recognise and respond to musical features in a practical context 3.2 Demonstrate musical and stylistic awareness |
In the exam you will be playing 3 songs and technical exercise. Each piece (song & technical exercise) is marked separately and will be given feedback by Rockschool examiner. This process allows candidates to get feedback about specific aspects of their performance.
| Element | PASS | MERIT | DISTINCTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Piece 1 | 12-14 out of 20 | 15-17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| Performance Piece 2 | 12-14 out of 20 | 15-17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| Performance Piece 3 | 12-14 out of 20 | 15-17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| Technical Exercises | 12-14 out of 20 | 15-17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| TOTAL MARKS | 60%+ | 74%+ | 90%+ |
The attainment bands for Grade Examination are as follows:
| Attainment band | Distinction | Merit | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark range | 90-100 | 74-89 | 60-73 |
| Percentage | 90-100% | 74-89% | 60-73% |
The Grade exam results will be marked by one of the examiners from Rockschool,, London. They will watch the video and
supporting documents and you can expect the result to be declared in 3-4 weeks (in case if reviews are there, it may take
up to 8 weeks). The examiner will give feedback both in video (as shown below) and as a document.
Sample document copy of the exam result of one of our students is attached for your reference.
Generally it takes 3-4 months for us to receive the original certificate. For students in India, the certificate will come to us and we will dispatch to your respective locations. For all international locations, the certificate will be dispatched directly from Rockschool to the respective student’s residence.
