Acoustic Guitar Grade 8
Completion of Grade 8 ensures you are ready to pursue both a conservatoire education and a professional career.
At this grade you will have the opportunity to perform repertoire from the mythical blues legend, Robert Johnson, as well as many more leading figures from the world of popular music.
Exam Times
Grade Exam: 30 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 28 minutes (approx.)
Buy Your Book
The Rockschool Acoustic Guitar Grade 8 book contains everything you need to pass your Grade 8 exam in one essential book, featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Nuno Bettencourt, Robert Johnson and Tommy Emmanuel.
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–Grade 5 | Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform | This accounts for 10% of the exam marks |
| Quick Study Pieces Grade 6–8 | Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform | These account 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 in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Grade 8 they are longer, typically in the region of three to three and a half minutes 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 prepared technical exercises:
GROUP A – Scales
GROUP B – Arpeggios/Broken Chords
GROUP C – Chord Voicings
GROUP D – Stylistic Studies
Groups A and B need to be played to a compulsory metronome click. The Examiner will ask for one demonstration from each group. The book can be used in the exam for Groups A and B up to and including Grade 3.
From Grades 4–8, candidates must play from memory. Group C does not require a metronome and can be played at a tempo of the candidate’s choice. For Group C, candidates will be required to close their grade books or ensure the information on any electronic devices is out of view and play from memory.
Note: The use of any notes or any reading from the grade book when performing Group C will impact on the marks awarded for this element.
Supporting Tests
Quick Study Piece
At Grade 8 candidates will need to prepare and perform a short Quick Study Piece (QSP) to a backing track. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and includes both sight-reading and improvisation requirements. Candidates are able to choose from three genre group options and will be given three minutes to prepare. Please see the grade book for full details.
Ear Tests
At Grade 8 there are two ear tests. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
Melodic Recall
The Examiner will play a 2 bar diatonic melody in the key of C major, C natural minor or C harmonic minor with a range up to an octave. The first note will be the root note, 3rd or 5th. Candidates will need to play the melody to the click.
Harmonic Recall
The Examiner will play a chord progression containing any combination of chords from the C major or C minor scale including 7th chords. Candidates will need to play back to a click.
General Musicianship Questions (GMQ's)
Candidates will be asked five questions, one from each of the following groups:
- One question relating to harmony
- One question relating to melody
- One question relating to rhythms
- One question relating to technical requirements
- One question relating to genre
Candidates can choose the piece on which basis the questions will be asked. It must be one of the pieces performed in the exam. The exact bars or phrases
will be chosen by the Examiner.
Assessment Criteria
Performance Pieces
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-11 | 12-14 | 15-17 | 18-20 |
| Grade Descriptor | Insecure physical techniques Insecure expressive techniques Insecure use of rhythm Inconsistent use of sync | Generally secure advanced physical techniques Generally secure use of advanced expressive techniques Confident use of rhythm some of the time Assured use of sync and security some of the time | Mostly secure advanced physical techniques Mostly secure use of advanced expressive techniques Confident use of rhythm most of the time Assured use of sync and security most of the time | Consistently secure advanced physical techniques Secure use of advanced expressive techniques throughout Confident use of rhythm throughout Assured use of sync and security throughout |
Technical Exercises
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-1 | 2 | 3-4 | 5-6 |
| Grade Descriptor | pitch, pulse or rhythm accurately Inability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases accurately Inability to play stipulated chord voicings from memory | Ability to play with accuracy, pitch, rhythm and pulse some of the time Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases some of the time Ability to play stipulated chord voicings from memory some of the time | Ability to play with accuracy, pitch, rhythm and pulse most of the time Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases most of the time Ability to play stipulated chord voicings from memory most of the time | Ability to play with accuracy, pitch, rhythm and pulse consistently Ability to recall musical and rhythmic phrases consistently Ability to play stipulated chord voicings from memory consistently |
Technical Exercises: Group D: Stylistic Study
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-4 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9 |
| Grade Descriptor | Insecure stylistic awareness | Generally secure advanced stylistic awareness | Mostly secure advanced stylistic awareness | Consistently secure advanced stylistic awareness |
Ear Tests
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9-10 |
| Grade Descriptor | Incorrect responses | Generally correct responses | Mostly correct responses | Consistently correct responses |
Supporting Tests (QSP)
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-5 | 6 | 7-8 | 9-10 |
| Grade Descriptor | Insecure ability to read notation Inability to improvise rhythm, harmony and melody | Generally Secure ability to read advanced rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation Generally secure ability to improvise advanced rhythm, harmony and melody | Mostly secure ability to read advanced rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation Mostly secure ability to improvise advanced rhythm, harmony and melody | Consistently secure ability to read advanced rhythmic, harmonic and melodic notation Consistently secure ability to improvise advanced rhythm, harmony and melody |
Supporting Tests (GMQ)
| Attainment Band | Assessment Criteria Not Met | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Range | 0-2 correct responses | 3 correct responses | 4 correct responses | 5 correct responses |
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.
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Dates & Fees
Next exam period:
01 February 19 - 31 March 19