Drums
Grade 8
The Grade 8 Drum exam is for candidates who have mastered advanced technical control and have a thorough grasp of extended stylistic techniques. At Grade 8 this is shown through mature stylistic conviction, consummate execution of rhythmic complexity, mature and creative stylistic solo and improvisation work as well as a commanding sense of communication and performance. There are two types of exams available at Grade 8, Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 30 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 26 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Drums Grade 8 book covers the in-depth knowledge you’ll need to tackle the full array of techniques and theoretical challenges you’ll face in your exam – pass this, and you’re ready to sit in on professional sessions in a studio setting.
Drums Grade 8
Performance Pieces
At Grade 8 the pieces last up to a maximum of 3 minutes 45 seconds. The pieces are over four pages. Emphasis is on command of complex notation accuracy, execution of stylistic techniques and technical control, mature and creative solo and improvisation elements and a clear sense of ownership and communication of the music through performance.
Featured Repertoire:
Rockschool Drums Hit Tunes 2024 Syllabus
- Chick Corea – Spain
- Haitus Kaiyote – Breathing Underwater
- Rush – Anthem
- WILLOW – <maybe> it’s my fault
- Alexander Abreu & Havana D’Primavera – Rosa la Peligrosa
- Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – Tidal Wave
Rockschool Originals 2024 Syllabus
- Copenhagen
- The Switch
- Four By Twelve
Rockschool Drums Hit Tunes 2018 Syllabus
- Billy Cobham – Red Baron
- Cole Porter – All of You
- Dirty Loops – Hit Me
- The Brecker Brothers – Some Skunk Funk
- Knife Party – Bonfire
- Moderat – Last Time
Rockschool Originals 2018 / 2012 Syllabus
- Meet Darth Ear
- Mind The Gaps
- Lead Sheet
- Freightshaker
- Nosso Samba
- Dark Matter
Technical Exercises
At Grade 8 level, there are six groups of technical work. The examiner will ask a selection from each group. All technical exercises are to be played to a click.
GROUP A – Single storkes
Tempo: 65 bpm
- Single strokes in quarter notes, eighth notes
- Eighth-note triplets, 16th notes, quintuplet 16th notes
- Sextuplet 16th notes, septuplet 16th notes, 32nd notes
- Nontuplet 32nd notes and double quintuplet 32nd notes
GROUP B – Paradiddles
Tempo: 90 bpm
Paradiddle-diddle and alternative paradiddle-diddle in sextuplets around the kit.
GROUP C – Triplets
Tempo: 85 bpm
Swiss Army Triplet and Pataflafla.
GROUP D – Ratamacues
Tempo: 85 bpm
Triple ratamacue.
GROUP E – Rolls
Tempo: 90 bpm
Seven stroke roll phrase with accent on the toms. Combined rolls.
GROUP F – Stylistic Study
You will prepare a technical study from one group of styles from the list below. Your choice of style will determine the style of the Quick Study Piece.
- Rock/Metal: rhythmic displacement, 5/4 coordination
- Funk: linear funk with 32nd notes, stepped hi hat
- Jazz/Latin/Blues: 3–2 and 2–3 clave
Supporting Tests
Quick Study Piece
At Grade 8 you will be asked to prepare and play a Quick Study Piece. The style of your QSP is determined by the stylistic study you selected in the technical exercise section. You will be shown the test and played the track with the notated parts played. Any bars that require improvisation will not be demonstrated. You will then have three minutes to study the test. The backing track will be played twice more. You are allowed to practise during the first run through of the backing track, with the notated parts now absent, before playing it to the examiner on the second playing of the backing track. The QSP is in the form of a lead sheet and it is up to you to create your own interpretation of the music in the parts marked for improvisation.
Ear Tests
There are two tests which are: Fill Playback & Recognition and Groove Recall.
Fill Playback & Recognition
Tempo: 70 bpm
The examiner will play you a one bar fill played on the snare drum with a metronome backing. You will hear the test twice. The test will be made up of all values and combinations from quarter note to 16th note sextuplet and quarter, eighth and 16th note rests. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one bar count-in. There will be a short gap for you to practise. Next you will hear a vocal count-in and you will then play the fill back with the metronome backing. The candidate will then be required to identify the test from three printed examples.
Groove Recall
Tempo: 80-160 bpm
The examiner will play you a two bar groove that is repeated played on the whole kit with a metronome backing. You will hear the test twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one bar count-in. There will be a short gap for you to practise. Next you will hear a vocal count-in and you will then play the groove back with the metronome backing. You will then be required to identify the style of the groove from a set of four listed by the examiner.
General Musicianship Questions
In this part of the exam, you will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about your instrument.
Music Knowledge
In Grade 8, candidates will be asked to explain:
- Any notation used in the chosen piece
- Any dynamic marking found in the piece
- What makes the drum groove stylistically appropriate
- Use of drum voices, rhythms and techniques in drum solo sections
Instrument Knowledge
The examiner will also ask you one question regarding your instrument. In Grade 8 you will be asked to explain and demonstrate:
- Care and maintenance of drums
- How to tune the drum kit according to the style of one of the pieces played
- How to convincingly produce: cross stick, choke cymbal, bell of ride, rim-shots, ghost notes, half open hi-hat, accents
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 |