Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Acoustic Guitar
Grade 3
The Grade 3 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for eighteen months to two years and who are ready to consolidate their final stage as a beginner player. The have mastered the key skills up to Grade 2 and since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, co-ordination and musical understanding. Improvisation phrasing is now confident and articulate and candidates have started to develop the beginnings of stylistic awareness. There are three types of exams available: Grade Exam, Graded Certificate or Performance Certificate.
You will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Kasey Musgraves, You Me at Six & David Bowie.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 27 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 20 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Rockschool Acoustic Guitar Grade 3 book contains everything you need to pass your Grade 3 exam in one essential book, featuring a truly diverse range of contemporary repertoire from some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Kasey Musgraves, You Me at Six & David Bowie.
We have published 2 versions of this edition as shown in the pictures here; one version is more USA centric with some American English terms and background information referring billboard chart success rather than the UK charts. Please note that both versions of the book have everything you need for an exam and are both valid editions for when you enter for the assessment.
Acoustic Guitar Grade 3
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary Acoustic Guitarist. This book will provide ...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 3
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...
Performance Pieces
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. At Grade 3 they are becoming longer, typically in the region of two minutes in duration. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.
Featured Repertoire:
- Take on the World - You Me at Six
- The Man Who Sold the World - David Bowie / Nirvana Unplugged
- Weather With You - Crowded House
- Landslide - Dixie Chicks
- Wild Wood - Paul Weller
- High Horse - Kasey Musgraves
Technical Exercises
At Grade 3 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, 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 & B need 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 C is played as directed by the examiner.
Group D is played to the backing track.
GROUP A – Scales
Tempo: 90 bpm
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
Range: Two octaves
To be prepared in the following keys: G, A & B:
- Major
- Natural minor
- Minor pentatonic
- Major pentatonic
- Blues
GROUP B – Arpeggios
Tempo: 90 bpm
Rhythms: Quarter Notes
To be prepared in the following keys: G, A & B:
- Major
- Minor
GROUP C – Chords
Partial barre chords
Two partial barre voicings for each chord type – played as directed by the examiner.
- Major minor: G, Am, Bm, C
Dominant 7 Chords
Individual chords will be strummed once and then picked (arpeggiated) – as directed by the examiner.
GROUP D – Acoustic Riff
The riff shown in bar 1-2 should be transposed and played as indicated in bars 3-8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the subsequent bars.
Supporting Tests
Sight Reading
At Grade 3 candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation and Interpretation. Both are previously unseen and examples of each are given in the grade book
Tempo: q =80
Duration: 4 bars
Rhythms: Quarter notes (crotchets) eighth notes (quavers), ties & rests
Key: G major or A natural minor – diatonic notes only
Compass: Open/first position/second position
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
Tempo: q=80-90
Duration: 4-6 bars
Key: G major or A minor
Improvisation Requirement: Rhythmic chords or melodic lead (candidate choice)
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 a two-bar melody with a drum backing using the G minor pentatonic scale. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be ascending. Candidates will need to then play back the melody on their instrument.
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=90.
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 instrumental & technical knowledge.
Music Knowledge
The examiner will ask four music knowledge questions based on a piece of music played by the candidate in the exam. Candidates will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
In Grade 3 candidates will be asked to identify:
- Names of pitches
- The meaning of the time signature marking
- Whole, half, quarter, eighth, triplet eight-notes and 16th note values
- Rest values
- The construction of a dominant 7 chord
Instrument/Technical Knowledge
The examiner will also ask one question regarding the instrument/technical knowledge.
In Grade 3 candidates will be asked to identify:
- Three of the following parts of the guitar: neck, fretboard, body, tuning-pegs, nut, bridge or sound hole
- Two kinds of legato fretting hand technique
- Names of all open strings
Exam Structure
There are three types of exam available, a Grade Exam, Graded Certificate, 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 |
Graded Certificate
| 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 75% of the exam mark |
| Technical Exercises | Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first | These account for 25% of the exam mark |
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
(Please note: Graded Certificates consist of just Performance Pieces and Technical Exercises. Please see the exam structure tab for more info)
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 |
