Drums Premiere
Rockschool Drums Premiere is the ideal starting point if you've just picked up the sticks for the first time. Learn the fundamentals of drumming in our easy-to-use Let's Rock books, then perform five of them in a quick 10 minute exam.
Exam time
Grade Exam: 10 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 10 minutes (approx.)
Buy Your Book
Let's Rock Drums has everything you need to know to get started playing the drums like a pro. With over 100 audio tracks, quick-start videos and 12 lessons in six different styles, you'll start learning key skills straight away.
Exam Structure
| 5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) | These account for 20% of the exam mark each. |
Performance Pieces
The Premiere exam lasts 10 minutes, during which you will play five Performance Pieces. There is a choice of six pieces in Let's Rock Drums and an additional three ensemble pieces at the back of the book. Candidates should choose five out of these nine pieces to play in the examination.
Exam Information
Unlike the later Grade exams, there are no Technical Exercises, Sight Reading, Ear Tests or General Musicianship Questions for the Premiere exam, and there are no Free Choice pieces for this level.
All Performance Pieces are to be played as written. There are no requirements for improvisation.
Each Performance Piece is marked out of 20.
On passing a Rockschool Premiere award, candidates will earn a Performance Certificate.
Assessment Criteria
| 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 |
Find a centre
We have exam centres all across the UK and in 38 other countries around the globe. Find your nearest UK centre.
Find a teacher
Looking for a teacher in your region? We can help! Find a teacher near you via our extensive online database.