Guitar Grades
Guitar grades are a series of exams based on set material of a particular syllabus. Is it essential to do grades? No.
For most people, grades are not the best option. Stuart’s lessons are highly tailored to each person and include a large amount of prepared teaching material. Most learners therefore make faster progress from Stuart’s material than they do working through grades.
Who should take grades? If you would like to go on to do a qualification such as a music GCSE, A-Level or degree, then grades are usually a requirement.
You do not need to sit every individual grade. So, if you need grade 5 to do A-Level music, you can study with Stuart and sit the grade 5 exam when ready. You do not have to sit grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 beforehand.
Classical Guitar Grades
Stuart teaches the ABRSM guitar grade syllabus. Each grade is made up of several components:
- 3 Performance Pieces
- Scales and Arpeggios
- Sight-reading
- Aural Tests
For each grade you will prepare three pieces of music and a selection of scales and arpeggios.
There is also a sight-reading test and an aural test. This is usually done over a period of months.
In your guitar lessons, you will be suitably prepared for each of these tasks and will only apply to sit the grade when you are ready and confident.
Electric Guitar Grades
If you would like to do electric grades, you will learn the Rockschool electric guitar syllabus. Each of the grades 1-8 is made up of several components:
- 3 Performance Pieces
- Technical Exercises
- Sight-reading or Improvisation & Interpretation or Quick Study Piece
- Ear Tests
- General Musicianship Questions
In your guitar lessons, you’ll be suitably prepared for each grade and will only sit the grade when you are ready.
You do not need to sit every grade. So, for example, you could choose to only prepare for and sit grade 5. For some, this approach is the most efficient way to progress through grades.
Acoustic Guitar Grades
If you would like to sit grades for acoustic guitar then you will learn the Rockschool acoustic syllabus.
- 3 Performance Pieces
- Technical Exercises
- Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation or Quick Study Pieces
- Ear Tests
- General Musicianship Questions
Learners do not need to sit every grade.
In many cases, learners will make faster progress by focussing on and working through grade material in lessons. Students need only sit the exams for the grades they require, such as 5 or 8.
Booking a Guitar Lesson
To book a guitar lesson with Stuart, or to ask a question about taking lessons, send an email using the button below: