Rockschool, London aka RSL Awards has been in forefront of music education business globally for more than 25 years. Rockschool offer Rockschool Graded Music Exams & RSL Classical Music Grade Exams.
RSL music qualifications are customised for the current age musicians. They have courses from beginner grade to advanced levels of study. musicmaster prides in being a preferred partner for RSL Grade exams online. For a beginner musician RSL’s qualifications will help to step up skills as a musician including perfecting advanced instrument playing techniques and also strong foundation in music theory – key skill to be better musician. Rockschool music exams are rewarded regardless of age or student’s previous background in music.
Music Grade Exams
Music Grade Exams are offered by various music schools. Some of the most prominent ones are
- Trinity College, London
- Rockschool, London
- ABRSM, London
All the above examination boards offer from beginner grade to Grade 8. The value of each grade is same across all the schools, however the syllabus of each school is different.
What is a Music Grade Exam?
A Grade Exam is a mixture two or three parameters – music performances, technical assessment and a range of supporting tests (dependant on grade and instrument). The total score is divided on these parameters.
RSL Grade Exams
According to Leon Priyan, South India Head, Rockschool, “RSL Grade exams is Worlds first grade exams for the contemporary music. Global market leaders for the contemporary music exams. Most industry relevant music qualification in the market.”
You can give RSL awards grade exams in the following categories:
- Acoustic Guitar
- Electric Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Piano
- Keys
- Vocals
- Ukulele
- Music Production
- Music Theory
- Drums
- RSL Classical Instruments (Violin, Piano & Guitar)
Rockschool Grade Exam Format
RSL Exams can be given in 3 formats currently:
- Recorded Digital Exam : Record the entire exam in one take at the comfort of student’s home and upload in RSL portal for results.
- Face to Face Exam : Face-to-face exam option lets candidate can give an exam at a prefixed venue or public exam centre.
- Live Stream : Live exam with a prefixed time slot through a video portal (Eg: Zoom).
musicmaster specialises in the first format – Recorded Digital Exam. The advantages in this format are:
- Student records at his or her own place giving them the place of comfort.
- No pressure of facing the examiner directly.
- No travel, entire process from the comfort of student’s home.
- Ample time to prepare for the exam.
- Video feedback from examiner and digital mark sheets with examiner’s feedback.
Recorded Digital Exam – Rockschool
You can give Recorded digital exams in two formats:
- Grade Certificate Exam
- Performance Certificate
Grade Exam : Assessment & Marking
In this Grade Exam certificate, there is a performance section for 60% (a student plays 3 songs, each marked out of 20 marks) & the other 20% consists of Technical Exercises and supporting tests, which include: Sight Reading, Improvisation & Interpretation. In the Performance certificate the student plays 5 songs/pieces of his own choice and each piece is marked on a score of 20. The assessment & marking are show below:
Grade Certificate (Video) : Debut – Grade 5
| 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%+ |
Performance Certificate (Video) : Debut – Grade 8
| 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 |
| Performance Piece 4 | 12 – 14 out of 20 | 15 – 17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| Performance Piece 5 | 12 – 14 out of 20 | 15 – 17 out of 20 | 18+ out of 20 |
| Total Marks | 60%+ | 74%+ | 90%+ |
Rockschool Songs for Exams
What student love about Rockschool syllabus is the choice of songs they learn. They learn some of biggest hits of famous artists and they get thrilled when they are able to play these songs in front of their friends and family. Given below are some of the songs that get taught in RSL qualfiications:
- Ain’t no Sunshine, Bill Weathers
- We will rock you, Queen
- This Is Me, The Greatest Showman,
- Knocking on Heaven’s door, Bob Dylan
UCAS Points for Music Grade Exams
One of the biggest advantages is music grade exams above Grade 5, both in performance and music theory carry UCAS points. UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) is a clearing house for applications to majority of full-time undergraduate degree programmes at UK universities and colleges. UCAS rates qualifications and awards them a tariff score based on various factors.
Grade Exam (including Music Production)
UCAS points awarded for music grade exam performance
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8 points | 10 points | 12 points |
| Grade 7 | 12 points | 14 points | 16 points |
| Grade 8 | 18 points | 24 points | 30 points |
Where a candidate has taken more than one exam in one instrument, they can only put forward the exam which gave them the highest number of points. However, where points are awarded for graded exams in different instruments, these can be accumulated, but it would be the decision of the university or college whether or not they choose to accept both sets of points.
Music Theory
UCAS points awarded for Music Theory is given below:
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 4 points | 5 points | 6 points |
| Grade 7 | 6 points | 7 points | 8 points |
| Grade 8 | 8 points | 9 points | 10 points |
For complete and latest information on UCAS check official UCAS website.
Musicmaster – Authorised coaching school for RSL Awards
musicmaster is an authorised registered coaching school for Rockschool Grade Exams & Trinity College, London. So far more than 100+ students across globe (USA, UK, Gulf & Middle East, Australia) have been awarded music grade exams coached by musicmaster’s qualified teachers.
