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Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
RSL Classical
RSL Classical is the newest addition to RSL Awards’ graded music exam portfolio. RSL have been delivering graded music exams for 30 years, and we’re delighted to present our Classical syllabuses in Piano, Violin and Guitar!
Classical grades for the modern musician
Take your musical abilities to the next level. Whether you are looking to complete your next graded exam or looking for some amazing repertoire to improve your technical proficiency on your instrument, RSL Classical is the ultimate resource to enhance your skills and expand your music theory knowledge.
Classical Guitar
Striking a balance between radical redesign and recognisable structure, RSL Classical Guitar champions diversity, guitar pedagogy tradition, and achievement.
Violin
Covering Classical, Classical Crossover, Jazz, and Pop genres, RSL Classical Violin’s collection of repertoire provides a fully immersive and flexible learning experience.
Classical Piano
RSL Classical Piano is a challenging and engaging syllabus, including an innovative range of scales, arpeggios and technical studies, whilst celebrating Classical music in all its forms.
Promoting instrument mastery
The pieces included in each publication expose students to an array of styles and instrument-specific techniques, contributing to improved musicianship. Technical exercises and rudiments will reinforce the fundamental skills required in mastering any instrument, with sight-reading and improvisation training contributing to increased musical know-how.
Outstanding repertoire for the modern musician
Each grade features a collection of benchmarked classical tracks and popular music professionally arranged for the instrument. Diverse and engaging, including greater representation of female composers and composers from the global majority, our repertoire will challenge and inspire students as they develop their instrument technique.
The international language of music
All our qualifications have been designed with industry relevance, student engagement, and academic rigour in mind. Upon completion of an RSL Classical grade, every candidate will have earned a globally recognised qualification, which has been designed to support progression routes towards higher education and the creative industries.
RSL Awards Graded Music Exams
RSL Awards’ graded music exams motivate and encourage musicians of all ages and abilities through a system of progressive mastery.
RSL Awards Classical Examiners
Our Examiners include graduates of the Royal Conservatoires, holders of PhDs in composition and performance, and composers of classical music.
Shop with RSL
Visit the RSL shop to purchase your grade books, graded music exam entries, and music theory workbooks and guidebooks. This all sits alongside a plethora of study guides and resources.
Shop Grade Books
Grab your next RSL Classical grade book. Physical editions and innovative e-books available.
Purchase Exams
Purchase your exam entry. Face-to-face, Live Stream and Recorded Digital exams available.
Shop Music Theory
Confidently articulate your musical ideas and concepts to fellow musicians.
Find a Teacher or Institution
Find your nearest RSL Awards teacher by using the search below. Our exams are also available across the globe. Click here to search international teachers or institutions.
RSL Classical FAQs
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Across the graded syllabus, students will find repertoire from male and female composers working within the Western Classical tradition from both the past and present day. You will find composers whose work is representative of the music of its time; music which sought to break boundaries; music which reflects the composer’s own cultural heritage; work written for Film, TV, Games and Jazz; and music simply written to challenge the technical player.
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We issue certificates for all exams with a result of Pass, Merit or Distinction. Unfortunately, an Unclassified result does not lead to a certificate.
For all UK / Ireland graded exam entries, entrants choose the type of certificate:
- eCertificate: This is a secure digital certificate which will be emailed to the entrant. Further information: eCertificates
- Paper certificate: This is a printed certificate with security features. Choosing this option incurs a surcharge of £3 (Ireland: €3.50) per exam in addition to the exam fees and any late fees. The Paper certificate will be posted to the entrant’s address. When this option is chosen a digital eCertificate is also emailed to the entrant.
Both types of certificate feature a QR code which is also clickable from the eCertificate. This code can be used to validate the authenticity of the certificate via AuthentiQual.com
You can choose which certificate type you want when purchasing an exam entry.
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The fee of an exam varies depending on which grade the candidate is taking. Check the fees page or each qualification landing page for the relevant fees.
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In the UK, Rockschool Graded Music Face-to-face Exams are held over three sessions per year. View the UK exam periods and closing dates.
Digital Exams (Recorded and Live Stream) are not subject to exam periods or closing dates.
If you’re based outside of the UK, please check your country page here……
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Exams take place all over the UK. We always aim to offer candidates the most convenient centre possible but, we cannot guarantee this. Please refer to our exam venue map.
Don’t forget you can also take your exam remotely from wherever you are based around the world via our Digital exams.
Ready to take an exam?
Simply purchase your exam entry from our online shop before completing your exam details via your RSL Awards secure account.
