Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Keys
Grade 7
The Grade 7 Keyboard exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for four to five years and have extended their advanced level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 6 and developed notable security of appropriate technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency and musical understanding.
Candidates will be able to demonstrate strong musical form and structure. There will be mature and authentic stylistic awareness, with developing individuality and communication. Grade 7 introduces multiple patch switching, solos, layers and multiple splits, advanced specialist styles and techniques.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 30 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 25 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary keyboardist. Keys Grade 7 will provide you with everything you need for your Grade 7 exam, including a diverse range of repertoire, a truly innovative range of supporting tests and a vast array of professionally recorded backing tracks and audio examples.
Keys Grade 7
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary keyboardist. Keys Grade 7 will provide you ...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 7
General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republic of Ireland info...
Performance Pieces
The pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate. The expectation and length of pieces are designed so candidates can convincingly understand and execute notation accuracy, values, evenness of sound, tone quality/ consistency, technical control, articulation, style awareness and sync at an advanced level. There will be highly assured presentation of musical structure with fluent, individually shaped and highly expressive communication.
Featured Repertoire:
- I Got the News – Steely Dan
- Cornflake Girl – Tori Amos
- Theme From Schindler’s List – John Williams
- Mustard Greens – Jimmy Smith
- Jump – Van Halen
- Cosmic Girl – Jamiroquai
Technical Exercises
At Grade 7 there are four groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios, Chord Voicings and Technical Studies.
- Candidates must prepare both natural minor and harmonic minor scales
- Major scales, minor scales,
chromatic scales and arpeggios need to be played:
- – hands together
- – ascending and descending
- – either straight or swung feel
(as directed by the examiner)
- – either legato or staccato
articulation (as directed by the examiner)
- – across four octaves (except contrary motion scales, scale in 3rds, altered scale and phrygian dominant mode, which must be played over two octaves, and extended arpeggios which are one octave only)
- Groups A, B and C (scales, arpeggios and chords) need to be played from memory, and candidates will be required to close the book. Candidates may use the book for Group D (technical studies)
GROUP A – Scales
Tempo: 160 bpm
Octave range: 4 octaves (except contrary motion scales, scale in 3rds, altered scale and phrygian dominant mode – 2 octaves)
Rhythms: Eighth notes, finishing on a quarter/dotted half note.
- C# major
- C# major (contrary motion) (2 octaves)
- Cb major
- Cb major
(contrary motion) (2 octaves)
- A# natural minor
- Ab natural minor
- A# harmonic minor
- Ab harmonic minor
- C whole-tone
- C major in thirds (right hand)
- C major in thirds (left hand)
- C altered
- C phygian dominant
- C chromatic (a minor 3rd apart, starting on any black key stated by examiner)
GROUP B – Arpeggios
Tempo: 112 bpm
Time Signature: 3/4, 4/4
Octave range: 4 octaves (except extended arpeggio – 1 octave).
Rhythms: 3/4: Eighth notes, finishing on a dotted half note. 4/4: Eighth notes, finishing on a whole/half note.
- C# major arpeggio
- Cb major arpeggio
- A# minor arpeggio
- Ab minor arpeggio
- D Dim7 arpeggio
- D7 arpeggio
- Bb7 arpeggio
- C9#5 arpeggio (1 octave)
GROUP C – Chord Voicings
Candidates will be asked to play one of the following chord exercises, chosen by the examiner.
- C dominant 7b9
- C dominant 7#9#5
- C dominant 13#11
Candidates will be asked to play one of the chord exercises from memory. The examiner will state the chord type/exercise. This test is performed in free time (without backing track or click), but the examiner will be looking for the speed of your response.
GROUP D: Technical Studies
Candidates will be required to perform one technical study of their choice to the backing track.
Supporting Tests
At Grade 7 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.
Sight Reading
Key: C# major or Cb major
Tempoo: 60–130 bpm
Time Signature: Any simple, compound or odd time signature
Rhythms: Whole, dotted half, half, dotted quarter, quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes, associated rests. Eighth, quarter, sixteenth note ties
The sight reading test is in the form of a 16–20 bar example in the key of either Cb major or C# major.
You will first be given 90 seconds to practise, after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is for you to practise and the second time is for you to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one bar count-in. The tempo is 60–130 bpm.
During the practice time, you will be given the choice 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 & Interpretation
Key: C# major or Cb major
Tempoo: 60–130 bpm
Time Signature: 4/4, swung 4/4
The Improvisation test is in the form of a 16–20 bar chord progression with all chord symbols indicated.
Candidates are required to improvise melodies and chordal comping between left hand and right hand, in any way they wish, interpreting the chord progression and backing track given in the exam.
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. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one bar count-in.
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
At Grade 7 there are two ear tests: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall. Both are previously unseen and an example of each is shown in the grade book.
Melodic Recall
Key: C major or C minor
Tempo: 95bpm
Time Signature: 4/4
Rhythms: Half, quarter, eighth notes.
The examiner will play a 2 bar diatonic melody in the key of either C major or C minor, with a range up to an octave.
There will be a C root note at the beginning of the test, then the melody will be played twice. After this, candidates need to play the melody back to a metronome click. Both playings of the melody and the metronome backing for the exam version will be preceded by a one bar count-in.
The first note of the melody will be either the root or fifth.
It is acceptable for candidates to play over the track as the test is being played and there will be 10 seconds to practise after the second playing. The piano can be used to assist at any time prior to being counted in to perform the exam version.
Note: the 10 seconds is pre-recorded on the audio track so the count-in for the exam version may begin while candidates are still practising.
Harmonic Recall
Key: C major
Tempo: 95bpm
Time Signature: 4/4
Rhythms: Whole, half notes
The examiner will play a chord progression containing any combination of chords from the C major scale, including seventh chords. Candidates will hear the test twice, then play the chords back to a metronome click. Both playings of the initial test and the metronome backing for the exam version will be preceded by a one bar count-in.
Note: there is no requirement for the chords to be voicing specific but the diatonic progression needs to be correct.
It is acceptable for candidates to play over the track as the test is being played and there will be 10 seconds to practise after the second playing. The piano can be used to assist at any time prior to being counted in to perform the exam version.
Note: the 10 seconds is pre-recorded on the audio track so the count-in for the exam version may begin while candidates are still practising.
General Musicianship Questions
At Grade 7 candidates will be asked five questions, one from each of the following groups:
- One question relating to harmony
- One question relating to melody
- One question relating to rhythms
- One question relating to technical requirements
- One question relating to genre
Candidates can choose the piece on which basis the questions will be asked. It must be one of the pieces performed in the exam. The exact bars or phrases will be chosen by the examiner.
The questions will cover the following topics:
Group 1: Harmony
Scales / modes which are being played.
Group 2: Melody
Intervallic construction of melodic phrases within the piece up to crotchet length.
Group 3: Rhythm
Whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second notes, any dotted notes, triplets or any associated rests up to one minim length.
Group 4: Technical
Fingering used to play the 3rd//5th/7th/9th/11th/13th note of a chord.
Group 5: Genre
Melodic / harmonic / rhythmic devices indicative of the genre chosen.
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 |
