Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Technical Skills
Teacher’s may arrange their own Technical Skills Exercises but must ensure that all exercises are at an appropriate level for each grade. The minimum technical requirement for each grade are listed at the relevant grade. This minimum requirement must be met.
The set Jazz dance music may be used for the technical skills exercises, or teachers may use their own choice of music.
RSL has provided a list of suggested ‘free choice music’ for each grade and exercise. To view the full list, please download the “Technical Exercises Music Suggestions” guidance.
The technical exercises are demonstrated as a group but each candidate must be visible to the examiner at all times.
A maximum of eight candidates can be assessed at any one time. Props and costumes are not permitted.
An audience is not permitted.
Suggested Arrangement
Teachers can use a Suggested Arrangement of Technical Skills Exercises provided by RSL if they wish. This is available, along with a video demonstration, as a separate resource.
Barre work: Some exercises require the use of a barre. Schools/ organisations may decide to use an alternative, for example if a barre is not available, but please note that no special consideration would be made for not using barres, or using an alternative, and candidates would be assessed in the normal way.
Please note: In the interest of health and safety, Technical Skills Exercises must always begin with a thorough warm up which sufficiently prepares candidates for all Technical Skills Exercises, Improvisation (Level 2 & 3 only) and the Performance. Warming up of the legs, ankles and feet must take place before commencing any impact work.
Technical Skills – Improvisation (Level 2&3 Only)
The Improvisation section of the examination gives candidates from Grades 4–8 only the opportunity to demonstrate their technical ability, musicality, creativity and individual style without restrictions.
Candidates will be required to interpret the given music through any Jazz Dance style and moves of the candidate’s choice for the duration specified per grade.
Candidates may draw upon the technical moves provided for the Technical Skills Exercises in their improvisation if they wish but this is not a requirement. However, the improvisation must not wholly consist of technical moves that have been provided by RSL.
Candidates will improvise in small groups.
The music will be provided by the examiner. To view the list of example music tracks that may be chosen by the examiner, please download the “Music for Improvisation” guidance.
Props and costumes are not permitted.
An audience is not permitted.
