Trinity College Music Grade Exams, London
Acoustic Guitar Grade Exams (100% Digital)
Initial to Grade 8
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Initial
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Song 1
Maximum marks
22
Song 2
22
Song 3
22
Technical Work
14
Performance Delivery And Focus
10
Musical Awereness
10
Total
100
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | AIN'T NO SUNSHINE | Bill Withers, arr. Anders Rye | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 2. | AMAZING GRACE | John Newton, arr. T J Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 3. | OH WHEN THE SAINTS | Trad., arr. TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 4. | REDEMPTION SONG | Bob Marley, arr. T J Walker | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 5. | ROCKIN' THE COUNTRY | Brett Duncan | Unaccompanied |
| 6. | STEGOSAURUS STRUT | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 7. | SUMMER RAIN | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| 8. | SURFIN' SAFARI | The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson & Mike Love) | Unaccompanied |
| 9. | WHITE WINDMILL | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales C and G major D minor |
To the 5th, ascending and descending | min. tempo: ♪=60 | mƒ |
| ii) Arpeggios C and G major D minor |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUBA KICK! | Tim Pells | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 2 | A FISTFUL OF PESOS | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 3 | THE HUNGRY GHOST | Leslie Searle | Unaccompanied |
| 4 | PERFECT SKY | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 5 | PHOTOGRAPH | Ed Sheeran (with John McDaid, Tom Leonard & Martin Harrington), arr. Anders Rye | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 6 | SAILOR'S HORNPIPE | Trad., arr. James Burden | Unaccompanied |
| 7 | A TALE OF THE GREEN ISLE | Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| 8 | TANGO MEMORIES | Tim Pells | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 9 | WATERLOO SUNSET | The Kinks (Ray Davies), arr. T J Walker | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales C and G major A natural minor |
One Octave | min. tempo: ♪=72 | mƒ |
| ii) Arpeggios C and G major D minor |
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| iii) Chord sequence I-V^7-1 in C major |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 1. BAD JACK | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 2. BLUE RAG | Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| 3. HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN | Trad., arr. Tim Pells | Unaccompanied |
| 4. JAMAICA | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 5. NEW MEMORY LANE | Tim Pells | Unaccompanied |
| 6. ROCKODILE REGGAE | Robert Morandell | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 7. SAIL AWAY | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 8. TURKEY IN THE STRAW | Trad., arr. Fred Sokolow | Unaccompanied |
| 9. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD | Louis Armstrong (Bob Thiele & George David Weiss), arr. TJ Walker | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, BROKEN CHORD AND CHORD SEQUENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Scales D major - open D major - closed Bb major |
one octave | min.tempo:♪=88 | p or f as requested by the examiner |
| E harmonic minor A jazz melodic minor |
two octaves | ||
| ii) Arpeggio D major |
one octave | ||
| iii) Broken Chords E minor |
two octaves | ||
| A minor | To the 12th | ||
| iv) Chord Sequences II-V^7-I in C major II-V-I in D major |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ANNIE'S SONG | John Denver, arr. T J Walker | Unaccompanied |
| BAYOU BLUE | T J Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| HOTEL CALIFORNIA | Eagles (Don Felder, Don Henley & Glenn Frey), arr. T J Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| JOYRIDE IN A PINK CADILLAC | Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| SETTING SAIL | Tim Pells | Unaccompanied |
| TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| TUESDAY BLUESDAY | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| TURN TO DUST | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, EXERCISES AND CHORD SEQUENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales C and A major B harmonic minor G pentatonic major |
two Octaves | min.tempo:♪=60 | p or f as requested by the examiner |
| ii) Arpeggio C major |
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| iii)Exercises B♭ major - ascending slurs G minor - half barre study |
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| iv) Chord Sequences II-V^7-I in G major |
|||
Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| CHILLOUT | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| IN THE KNOW | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| LOVE YOURSELF | Justin Bieber (with Ed Sheeran & Benny Blanco) | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| MEAN STREET | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| PINKY PLAYS THE BLUES | Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| SEPIA TONED | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| SUN SONG | Bryan Lester | Unaccompanied |
| YOUR SONG | Elton John & Bernie Taupin, arr. Mark Rose | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, EXERCISES AND CHORD SEQUENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales E major - open E major - closed A natural minor F# harmonic minor |
two Octaves | min.tempo:♪=68 | p. mf or f as requested by the examiner |
| ii) Arpeggio Dominant 7th in the key of A |
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| iii)Exercises F major - IV-V-I D major - slurred F# minor - half barre study |
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| iv) Chord Sequences D major-B^7-Em^7-A^7 |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BONNIE'S BOUNCE | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 2 | HO HEY | The Lumineers (Jeremy Fraites & Wesley Schultz), arr. Mark Rose | Unaccompanied |
| 3 | MARRY YOU | Bruno Mars (with Philip Lawrence & Ari Levine), arr. Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied |
| 4 | ONE MORE TIME | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| 5 | REWRITE THE STARS (from The Greatest Showman) | Zac Efron & Zendaya (Benj Pasek & Justin Paul), arr. T J Walker | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 6 | ROCKROACH | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 7 | SONG FOR DOROTHY | Ben Crosland | Unaccompanied |
| 8 | STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN | Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page & Robert Plant) | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 9 | THAT'S THE WAY IT IS | Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied or duet (live or with Trinity recording) |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, EXERCISES AND CHORD SEQUENCES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales B major G natural minor F harmonic and melodic minor E dorian |
two Octaves | min.tempo:♪=80 | p. mf or f as requested by the examiner |
| ii) Arpeggio Dominished 7th starting and finishing on C |
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| iii)Exercises I-IV-II-V^7-I in G major A major - paired slurs |
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| iv) Chord Sequences F#m^7-Bm^7-Em^9w-A^7 |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COUNTRY PICKIN | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| 2 | HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE | The Beatles (John Lennon & Paul McCartney), arr. George Adie | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 3 | HOW DO I LIVE | LeAnn Rimes (Diane Warren), arr. TJ Walker | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 4 | MINOR SWING | Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli, arr. TJ Walker | Unaccompanied |
| 5 | NEVER SO CLOSE | Roy Chilton | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 6 | OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY | Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page & Robert Plant) | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 7 | RUBY BLUE | TJ Walker | Unaccompanied |
| 8 | SWING THING | Nick Powlesland | Unaccompanied |
| 9 | YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND | Carole King, arr. Robert Morandell | Unaccompanied |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, CADENCES AND CHORD PROGRESSIONS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales A and E major A harmonic melodic and jazz melodic minor |
three Octaves | min.tempo:♪=92 | p. mf or f as requested by the examiner |
| G and E♭ major C harmonic and melodic minor C dorian |
two octaves | ||
| ii) Arpeggio E and F major E and F minor |
three octaves | min.tempo:♪=60 | |
| E♭ major C minor Dominant 7th in E major, starting and finishing on B |
two octaves | ||
| D major 7th | to the 12th | min.tempo:♪=60 | |
| ii) Cadences and chord progressions Dm^7-G^7-Cmaj^7(version 1) Dm^7-G^7-Cmaj^7(version 2) B♭maj^7-Gm^7-Cm^7-F^9 |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALIEN WAFFLE HOUSE | Mike Dawes | Unaccompanied |
| 2 | ANJI | Davy Graham, arr. Clive Carroll | Unaccompanied |
| 3 | BALLAD | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| 4 | BE DEEDLE DE DO | Barney Kessel | Unaccompanied |
| 5 | CLASSICAL GAS | Mason Williams | Unaccompanied or with Trinity backing track |
| 6 | FLY ME TO THE MOON | Bart Howard, arr. Andy Jones | Unaccompanied |
| 7 | HOLE HEARTED | Extreme (Nuno Bettencourt & Gary Cherone) | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 8 | (SOMEWHERE) OVER THE RAINBOW | Chet Atkins (Harold Arlen & E Y Harburg) | Unaccompanied |
| 9 | SOUL AGENT | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, CADENCES AND CHORD PROGRESSIONS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales & arpeggios - Candidates choose either group 1 or group 2 | |||
| ▸ Either group 1 Tonal/modal centres where specified and Eb (two octaves) |
the major scale harmonic minor scale ▸ the melodic minor scale ▸ the mixolydian scale (two octaves only) ▸ the blues scale (two octaves only) ▸ the major arpeggio ▸ the minor arpeggio the dominant 7th starting and finishing on the selected tonal centres (eg starting on E to form the dominant 7th of A major) |
min.tempo:♪=118 arpeggios ♪=90 | p. mf or f as requested by the examiner |
| Or group 2 ▸Tonal/modal centres G (three octaves, except where specified) and C (two octaves) |
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| For both groups candidates also prepare ▸ A major 7th arpeggio |
to the 12th | ||
| ii) Cadences ▸ Fmin/sus-Bb9-Eb6/9 ▸ Dmin75-G7-Cm7 ▸ Fmaj7-Dm-Gm7-c9 ▸ Fmaj7 |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
Candidates have to perform three pieces & a technical exercise at a particular tempo from the set list given below. An own composition can also be played instead of the listed pieces, however for marking refer the guidelines published in Trinity College. The difficulty level and duration of songs and technical exercises goes up as we go from Initial to Grade 8.
| S.No. | Piece | Artist/Composer | Performance Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLUE BOY | Barney Kessel | Unaccompanied |
| 2 | DEEP RIVER BLUES | Trad., arr. Doc Watson | Unaccompanied |
| 3 | FOR MY FATHER | Andy McKee | Unaccompanied |
| 4 | MISTER PUNCH | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| 5 | MISTER SANDMAN | Chet Atkins (Pat Ballard) | Must be played with Trinity backing track |
| 6 | NIGHT AND DAY | Joe Pass (Cole Porter), arr. François Leduc | Unaccompanied |
| 7 | OVERLAP | Roy Chilton | Unaccompanied |
| 8 | SOLO NO. 2 | Lucky Elden | Unaccompanied |
| SCALES, ARPEGGIOS, CADENCES AND CHORD PROGRESSIONS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| i) Scales & arpeggios - Candidates choose either group 1 or group 2 | |||
| Either group 1 ▸ Tonal/modal centres F (three octaves, except where specified) and F# (two octaves) |
▸ the major scale ▸ the harmonic minor scale ▸ the melodic minor scale ▸ the jazz melodic sale ▸ the pentatonic major scale (two octaves only) ▸ the major arpeggio ▸ the minor arpeggio ▸ the dominant 7th starting and finishing on the selected tonal centres (eg starting on F to form the dominant 7th of Bb major) |
min.tempo:♪=132 arpeggios ♪=100 | p. mf or f as requested by the examiner |
| Or group 2 ▸ Tonal/modal centres Bb (three octaves, except where specified) and D (two octaves) |
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| For both groups candidates also prepare ▸ Diminished 7th starting and finishing on E |
two octaves | ||
| ii) Cadences ▸ Fmin/sus-Bb9-Eb6/9 ▸ Dmin75-G7-Cm7 ▸ Fmaj7-Dm-Gm7-c9 ▸ Fmaj7 |
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| D minor 7th arpeggio | to the 12th | min.tempo:♪=100 | |
| ii) Cadences ▸ Bm^7-E^7-Amaj^7 ▸ Ebm^7-A^9-Dbmaj^7 ▸ D#min^7b5-G#^7-C#min^7 ▸ C^6-Am^7-Dm^7-G^7-Cmaj^7 ▸ Gmaj^7-Em^7-Am^7-D1359-G6 |
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Source: Acoustic Guitar Syllabus (Qualification Specifications for graded exams 2020-2023).
| INITIAL-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 Trinity College examiner. This process allows candidates to get feedback about specific aspects of their performance. You can refer to a sample feedback of one of our students who received similar feedback for the exam.
The total of all marks are taken into consideration and the candidate gets graded as show:
| Total Mark Range | Attainment Level |
|---|---|
| 87-100 | DISTINCTION |
| 75-86 | MERIT |
| 60-74 | PASS |
| 45-59 | BELOW PASS 1 |
| 0-44 | BELOW PASS 2 |
The Grade exam results will be marked by one of the examiners from Trinity College, 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).
Sample 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, once we receive the certificate, we will courier the same to you.
