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.
Exam Times
Grade Exam: 15 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 14 minutes (approx.)
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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, including The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Lumineers.
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. |
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:
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 – 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 & INTERPRETATION
- Duration: 4 bars
- Key: C major
- Tempo: q=65
- Improvisation Requirement: Diatonic single-note melodies only
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.
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.
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
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 |
Additional Information
The Value of RSL Qualifications
RSL advocates an open access approach to qualifications, providing a range of syllabi, designed to accommodate a wide variety of candidates of different ages, experience and levels of achievement. RSL awards qualifications that are listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England and Northern Ireland by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). RSL is committed to maintaining and improving its reputation for excellence by providing high quality education and training through its syllabi, examinations, music and resources.
UCAS Points
For students applying for work or University, many potential employers see graded music exams in a very positive way. Recognised qualifications demonstrate an ability to dedicate commitment to extra–curricular activities, providing evidence of versatility which many students find beneficial within UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) applications and for university entrance interviews. Our qualifications carry allocated points on the UCAS tariff.
Selecting Free Choice Pieces (FCP’s)
For all examinations, candidates are able to play a number of Free Choice Pieces.
Free Choice Pieces must demonstrate a comparable level of technical and musical demand to the pieces given in the set selections in the grade books which can be referred to as an indication of appropriate level.
Free choice pieces must be in a modern popular genre such as Pop, Rock, Jazz, Country, Blues, Soul, Reggae, Film and Musical Theatre. Own compositions are also acceptable.
Pieces should be selected carefully to ensure that the pieces provide suitable opportunity for candidates to demonstrate the relevant assessment criteria. Candidates are reminded that if a chosen Free Choice Piece does not meet these requirements this may impact on the level of achievement possible within the examination.
All pieces must be performed to a backing track (without the examined part on the track) except in case where pieces have been selected from previous Rockschool syllabi and do not have backing track or have been specifically arranged by Rockschool as solo pieces.
Instrument Specification
Candidates are reminded that it is their responsibility to select and provide an appropriate musical instrument for each syllabus to allow demonstration of the relevant stylistic and technical skills within their performance. At all levels of examination, if any outcomes or assessed criteria cannot be demonstrated or are demonstrated less securely as a result of the equipment, this may be reflected in the marks awarded.
General Information
For full details on each grade, please download the complete syllabus document below.
ACOUSTIC 2019 SYLLABUS GUIDE (For candidates taking the newest Acoustic syllabus (Released 2019))
Acoustic Syllabus (2019 Edition)Find a centre
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