Rockschool

Learn Acoustic Guitar

Whether you’re taking your first steps on guitar or moving into further/higher education, a Rockschool Guitar Grade will not only improve your playing ability, but expand your technical proficiency and give you a solid grasp of music theory – all whilst learning some of the most iconic tracks from the world of popular music.

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Hand-Picked Popular Repertoire

For Acoustic Guitar we’ve hand-picked tunes from some of the world’s biggest artists across a diverse range of genres to provide students with an expansive song choice to use in their exam and for their own enjoyment.

Acoustic Mastery

Rockschool Acoustic is designed for all types of aspiring guitar players. At each grade there are four session-style songs featuring recorded vocals, and two instrument-specific solo guitar arrangements.

UCAS Points

Rockschool Acoustic Guitar Grades carry huge rewards. For Grades 6, 7 and 8, you can enhance your university application, with up to 30 UCAS points awarded at Grade 8.

Unrivalled Industry Relevance

As with every Rockschool syllabus, Acoustic Guitar combines unrivalled industry relevance with academic credibility, giving students a wealth of technical, stylistic and theoretical knowledge that’s second to none.

Free Choice Pieces

In addition to the 6 pieces on offer in each of our grade books, students are also able to choose two Free Choice Pieces for their exam. The criteria for each grade can be found on our website.

Digital Downloads

Instantly download your Acoustic Guitar book, individual tracks or supporting tests. The RSL shop allows student and instructor to use their favourite Rockschool titles on their desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Learn the Acoustic Guitar with Rockschool

Whether you’re learning to play the Acoustic Guitar or teaching the Acoustic Guitar, Rockschool is here to support your journey.

As with all of Rockschool’s recent releases, every grade features meticulously researched and benchmarked tracks from both trailblazing musicians and contemporary trendsetters, exposing each student to an array of genres, styles and instrument-specific techniques as they progress through each grade.

How it works

Whether you’re learning the Acoustic Guitar independently or with a music teacher, it’s easy to get started learning with Rockschool.

Download the syllabus and buy your grade book

Our publications provide you with everything you need: professionally arranged and produced repertoire alongside innovative technical exercises and supporting tests.

Start practicing with our innovative resources

From our physical publications to our interactive e-books and Learning Platform app, our teaching and learning resources are here to support you become a better musician.

Sit the exam and reap your rewards

If you’re ready and want to take a Graded Music Exam, achieve your very own Rockschool qualification after putting in the hours of dedication towards mastering your instrument.

Acoustic Guitar
Debut

The Debut Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been learning a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, co-ordination and musical understanding. There are two types of exam available at Debut, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.

At Acoustic Guitar Debut you will be examined on your choice of three performance pieces from artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Lumineers.

Estimated Examination Time:

Grade Exam: 15 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 14 minutes (approx.)

Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry

The Rockschool Acoustic Guitar Debut book contains everything you need to pass your Debut exam in one essential book, featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world’s most iconic artists.

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Acoustic Guitar Debut

The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary Acoustic Guitarist. This book will provide ...

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Graded Music Exam: Debut

All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...

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Performance Pieces

The pieces from the grade book have been created to allow demonstration of suitable technical and performance elements appropriate for the level of qualification.

The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Debut they are short, typically up to one minute in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.

Featured Repertoire:

Bob Dylan – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Bill Withers - Ain’t No Sunshine
Jason Mraz - I’m Yours
The Lumineers – Ho Hey
The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
Ben E. King – Stand By Me

Technical Exercises

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.

GROUP A – Scales
Tempo: 65bpm
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: One octave

C major

E minor pentatonic

A minor pentatonic

GROUP B – Arpeggios/Broken Chords
Open position chords. Individual chords will be strummed once as directed by the examiner.

Major: A, D, C G

Minor: Am, Em

GROUP C – Acoustic Riff
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.

Supporting Tests

Sight Reading

At Debut candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. Both are previously unseen and examples of each are given in the grade book.

Duration: 4 bars

Rhythms: Whole (semibreves), half (minims) and quarter (crotchets)

Key: C major

Pitches and Instrumental Compass: C&D on the second string

Tempo: q=65

Candidates will have 90 seconds to practise after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. During the practice time, candidates will be given the option of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.

The backing track is continuous so once the first playthrough has finished the count-in of the second playing will start immediately.

Improvisation and Interpretation

Duration: 4 bars
Key: C major
Tempo: q=65
Improvisation Requirement: Diatonic single-note melodies only

The backing track is continuous so once the first playthrough has finished the count-in of the second playing will start immediately.

Ear Tests

There are two Ear Tests in this grade. The examiner will play each test twice.

Test 1: Melodic Recall
Candidates will hear two half notes one after the other and will be asked whether the second note is higher or lower in pitch than the first note.
The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one bar vocal count-in.
The tempo is q=85.

Test 2: Rhythmic Recall
Candidates will hear a two-bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string.
The test will be played twice. Candidates will be asked to play the rhythm back, before identifying the rhythm from two printed examples shown to them by the examiner.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one bar count-in. There will be a short gap for candidates to practise. Next candidates will hear a vocal count-in and will then need to play the rhythm to the drum backing. The tempo is q=85.

Rhythmic Recall
The examiner will play you a two bar rhythm played to a drum backing on the lowest-sounding E string. You will hear the test twice. You will be asked to play the rhythm back. You will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two printed examples shown to you.

General Musicianship Questions

Candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question asked will be about the candidate’s instrument.

Music Knowledge:

The examiner will ask the candidate four music knowledge questions based on a piece of performed in the exam. Candidates will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.

In Debut candidates will be asked to identify:

The music stave and the TAB

The treble clef

Half and quarter note values

Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask candidates one question regarding their instrument.

In Debut candidates will be asked to identify:

One of the following parts of the guitar: neck, body, tuning-pegs or bridge

Exam Structure

There are two types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.

Grade Exam

3 Performance Pieces (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces)	Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first	These account for 60% of the exam mark
Technical Exercises (Section A, B, C and D for Level 3 qualifications)	Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first	These account for 15% of the exam mark
Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation (Debut to Grade 5); Quick Study Pieces (Grade 6 to Grade 8)	Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform	This accounts for 10% of the exam marks
2 Ear Tests	Candidates respond to 2 aural tests.	These account for 10% of the exam marks
5 General Musicianship Questions	Candidates answer 5 questions based on one of the pieces performed	These account for 5% of the exam marks

Performance Certificate

5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces)

These account for 20% of the exam mark each.

Assessment Criteria

Performance Pieces

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	18-20	15-17	12-14	6-11	0-5
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Style & Expression	Consistently convincing projection of the music.	Mostly convincing projection of the music.	Some convincing projection of the music.	Music not convincingly projected.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Technical Exercises

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	13–15	11–12	9–10	4–8	0–3
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Ear Tests

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	9-10	7-8	6	3-5	0-2
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Supporting Tests

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	9-10	7-8	6	3-5	0-2
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

General Musicianship Questions

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	5 correct responses	4 correct responses	3 correct responses	2 correct responses	0-1 correct responses

Performance Certificate

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	18-20	15-17	12-14	6-11	0-5
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Style & Expression	Consistently convincing projection of the music.	Mostly convincing projection of the music.	Some convincing projection of the music.	Music not convincingly projected.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Acoustic Guitar
Grade 1

The Grade 1 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for six months to one year. They have mastered the key basic debut level skills and have since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, co-ordination and musical understanding.

There is also an opportunity to build on basic improvisation. There are two types of exam available at Grade 1, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.

Your exam will involve performance pieces from artists such as Bob Marley, Ed Sheeran & Jeff Buckley.