Technical Exercises

At Grade 5 there are four groups of technical work. The examiner will ask for a selection from each group, and before starting this section candidates will be asked whether they would like to play the exercises along with the click or hear a single bar of click before commencing the test.

GROUP A – Scales (two octaves in eighth notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

To be prepared in two positions. The first position is to be prepared on the E string from the starting notes F, G and A. The second position is to be prepared on the A string from the starting notes B, C and D. Candidates may have to make adjustments for open strings in fingerings of some scales.

• Major: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Natural minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Minor pentatonic: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Major pentatonic: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Blues: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Harmonic minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)

GROUP B – Arpeggios (one octave in quarter notes)

Tempo: 80 bpm

• Major: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)
• Minor: F, G, A (6th string) B, C, D (5th string)

GROUP C – Chords

Major and minor triads played in three inversions on the top three strings in the key of C. To be played in a continuous sequence.

GROUP D – Riff

Tempo: 100 bpm

In the exam, candidates will be asked to play the riff from the Grade 5 book to a backing track. The riff shown in bars 1 and 2 should be played in the same shape in bars 3–8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in each of the subsequent bars.

Supporting Tests

At Grade 5, candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. This is a previously unseen test. An example is shown in the Grade 5 book.

Sight Reading

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: F or G major, E or G minor

At Grade 5 there is an element of improvisation. This is in the form of a two-bar ending. The piece will be composed in the style of rock, funk or blues and will have chord symbols throughout. At Grade 5 the notation consists of half, quarter eighth notes and quarter note and eighth-note rests in 4/4. The test is eight bars long. The examiner will allow 90 seconds of preparation and practice time and will offer the option of practising with or without a metronome. Candidates will then perform the test for the examination.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Tempo: 90–100 bpm
Key: A or G major, E or G minor

In Grade 5, the improvisation and interpretation test contains a small amount of sight reading. This consists of a two-bar section of rhythm (chord) notation at the beginning of the test. Candidates will be asked to play the chords in the rhythm indicated and complete the test using an improvised line made up of chords and lead lines where indicated. This is played to a backing track of eight bars. Candidates will have 30 seconds preparation time and the examiner will offer the metronome as a guide throughout this time. Candidates will then have a complete practice run through with the backing track and then on the repeat, the test will be examined.

Ear Tests

There are two tests which are: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.

Melodic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: D Major pentatonic or A Minor pentatonic

The examiner will play a two-bar melody with a drum backing. The first note of the melody will be the root note and the first interval will be descending. Candidates will be required to play the melody back on their instrument. The test will be played twice. Each time the test is played it is preceded by a one-bar count-in. There will be a short gap for practise, followed by a vocal count-in after which candidates will play the melody to the drum backing.

Harmonic Recall

Tempo: 90 bpm
Key: G major

Candidates will hear a tonic chord followed by a two-bar sequence in the key of G major played to a bass and drum backing. The sequence will be drawn from the I, IV, V and VIm chords and may occur in any combination. Candidates will be asked to play the chord sequence to the drum backing in the rhythm shown in the example from the grade book. This rhythm will be used in all examples of this test given in the exam. Candidates will then be asked to identify the sequence they have played to the examiner. The test will be played twice.

Each time the test is played the sequence is: count-in, tonic, count-in, chords. There will be a short gap to practise after the second playing. Candidates will then hear the count-in and tonic for the third time followed by a vocal count-in then must play the chords to the drum backing. Candidates should then identify the chords.

General Musicianship Questions

In this part of the exam, candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these questions will be about general music knowledge and the fifth question will be asked about their instrument.

Music Knowledge

In Grade 5, candidates will be asked to identify:

• The names of pitches
• The meaning of accidentals: # (sharp), b (flat) and (natural) signs
• The meaning of the time signature, key signature and swing time markings
• Repeat marks, first and second time bars, D.C., D.S., al Coda and al Fine markings
• Hammer-ons, pull-offs, accents and vibrato markings
• The construction of minor 7, major 7 or dominant 7 chords
• One type of scale that can be used appropriately in the solo section of the piece you have played

Instrument Knowledge

In Grade 5, candidates will be asked to identify:

• Any part or control on their guitar
• The function of the volume and tone controls on their guitar
• The tone settings on the amp for the chosen piece, and why these settings were chosen