Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Classical Guitar
Debut
The Debut Classical Guitar exam is for candidates who have been learning a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, coordination and musical understanding.
There are two main types of exams available at Debut, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate, which can be booked as a face-to-face or live-streamed exam or submitted as a recorded digital exam.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 15 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 12 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
Classical grades for the modern musician. RSL Classical Guitar Debut will provide you with everything you need for your Debut exam, including a diverse range of repertoire, a truly innovative range of supporting tests and a vast array of professionally arranged and recorded backing tracks.
Classical Guitar Debut
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Graded Music Exam: Debut
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Performance Pieces
The performance pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate and are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.
Featured Repertoire:
- Andean Folk Song, arr. Yvon Rivoal – Ojos Azules
- Laura Snowden – The Secret City
- Mauro Giuliani (arr. Debbie Cracknell) – Andante in C
- Beyoncé – If I Were a Boy
- The Lumineers – Ho Hey
- Bill Withers – Lean on Me
- Fernando Sor – Study in C, No. 1
- Ludwig van Beethoven – Ode To Joy
- From Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’ – All Is Found
- Gustav Holst – ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets
Technical Exercises
There are two groups of technical exercises at this grade: Scales and Technical Studies. All are to be played unaccompanied. The tempo given for the scales is the recommended minimum tempo for this grade.
GROUP A – Scales
Scale: C major
Range: Perfect 5th
Tempo: Crotchet = 70
Requirements: Tirando or apoyando (candidate choice), fingers only
Scale: A minor
Range: Perfect 5th
Tempo: Crotchet = 70
Requirements: Tirando or apoyando (candidate choice), fingers only
Scale: G Major Pentatonic
Range: 1 Octave
Tempo: Crotchet = 70
Requirements: Tirando or apoyando (candidate choice), fingers only
GROUP B – Technical Studies
Candidates are to perform one of the three technical studies given in the grade book. The examiner will ask which study the candidate has prepared.
Supporting Tests
Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation
In the exam, candidates have a choice between either a Sight Reading test or a Contemporary Improvisation & Interpretation test. The examiner will ask the candidate which they wish to choose before commencing. Once candidates have decided they cannot change their mind.
Sight Reading
Requirements
Candidates will be given one of the following:
Either:
- A four-bar melody on the 1st string (high E), on the notes E, F and G, played in minims;
Or:
- A four-bar single-note rhythm on the 6th string (low E), containing semibreves (whole notes), minims (half notes) and crotchets (quarter notes).
Process
All Sight Reading tests at Debut should be played at a recommended minimum tempo of crotchet = 60 bpm.
While the test is not played to a metronome click, candidates may ask to hear the minimum tempo on a metronome at the start of, or throughout their practice time. Additionally, candidates may ask to hear a few seconds of the tempo on a metronome before the assessed part of the test begins.
Contemporary Improvisation & Interpretation
Requirements
Candidates will be given a five-bar chord progression in the key of C major. The tempo is crotchet=65. At Debut, candidates only need to improvise single-note melodies in the key of C major. The chord symbols show the chord progression of the backing track only. The test will start and end on the tonic chord, and will only contain chords I, IV and V.
Process
Candidates will first be given 90 seconds to practise, and will be given the choice of a metronome click throughout or a one-bar count-in at the beginning of the practise time. Following the initial practice time, the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is for candidates to practise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one-bar count-in.
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.
Melodic Recall
The examiner will play two minims (half notes) one after the other. Candidates are required to tell the examiner 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 crotchet = 85.
Rhythmic Recall
The examiner will play 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, and will then be asked to identify the rhythm from two examples shown to them.
Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap to practise. Next, there will be a vocal count-in after which candidates must play the rhythm to the drum backing. The tempo is crotchet = 85.
General Musicianship Questions
In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions, divided between two topics as detailed below.
Music Knowledge
The examiner will ask the candidate four questions based on a piece of music that they have played in the exam. The candidate will nominate the piece of music about which the questions will be asked.
At Debut the candidate may be asked to identify:
- the music stave
- the treble clef
- semibreve (whole notes), minims (half notes) and crotchets (quarter notes).
Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask the candidate one question regarding the candidate’s instrument.
In Debut, the candidate will be asked to identify:
- one of the following parts of their guitar: neck, body, tuning-pegs or bridge
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. |
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 |
