Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Trombone
Grade 5
The Grade 5 Trombone exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for three years or more and who have fully consolidated their intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 4 and since acquired a greater use of appropriate technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have developed a good sense of expression, have a strong grasp of stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which is now individual, assured, accurate and expressive.
There are two types of exam available at Grade 5, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.
Estimated Examination Time:
- Grade Exam: 27 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 25 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
The Trombone Grade 5 book contains everything you need to sit your Grade 5 exam – in one essential book.
Trombone Grade 5
The essential syllabus for the aspiring, contemporary Trombonist. Rockschool Trombone Grade 5 wil...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 5
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...
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 acquire a solid understanding and execution of notation accuracy, values, evenness of sound, tone quality/consistency, technical control, articulation, expression, style awareness and sync at an early intermediate level.
Featured Repertoire:
- Marvin Gaye – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
- Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
- Alicia Keys – Fallin’
- Dusty Springfield – Son-of-a-Preacher Man
- The Specials – Ghost Town
- BTS – Dynamite
Technical Exercises
At Grade 5 there are three groups of technical work: scales, arpeggios and a technical study.
In this part of the exam, the examiner will ask for a selection of scales (Group A) and arpeggios (Group B) drawn from the lists below. All scales and arpeggios should be prepared with tongued and slurred articulation, using either straight or swung rhythms. The examiner will announce the key, scale or arpeggio type and articulation for each example. Where shown, the candidate may choose the type of minor scale (natural, harmonic or melodic).
GROUP A – Scales
Tempo: Crotchet=70 bpm
- E major scale, one octave
- A major scale, one octave
- E major pentatonic scale, one octave
- A major pentatonic scale, one octave
- C dorian mode, to the 12th
- Either F# natural minor scale, or F# harmonic minor scale, or F# melodic minor scale (candidate choice), one octave.
- Either B natural minor scale, or B harmonic minor scale, or B melodic minor scale (candidate choice), one octave.
- B chromatic scale, 1 octave
- F# minor pentatonic, to the 12th
- B minor pentatonic, to the 12th
GROUP B – Arpeggios
Tempo: Crotchet=70 bpm
- A major arpeggio, to the 12th
- F dominant 7th arpeggio, to the 12th
- A dominant 7th arpeggio, to the 12th
- Bb minor 7th arpeggio, to the 12th
- F# minor arpeggio, to the 12th
GROUP C – Technical Study
Candidates are to perform their choice of 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
At Grade 5, candidates can choose between a Sight Reading test or an Improvisation & Interpretation test. The examiner will ask which the candidate has chosen before showing the test. Once the candidate has chosen, they cannot change their mind.
Sight Reading
In the Sight Reading test, the examiner will give the candidate a short piece to be played to a backing track.
At this grade, there will be four bars where the candidate will need to improvise melodies to complement the surrounding notated melody during their performance. Chord symbols are shown as guidance for the four bars of improvisation.
The test will be:
- 12 bars duration
- In the key of E major, F# minor, F major and BB minor
- Melodies are predominantly diatonic – there may be occasional accidentals
- In 4/4, 6/8 or 12/8 time
The candidate will first be given 90 seconds to prepare, after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is for the candidate to practise and the second time is for them to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one-bar count-in.
During the preparation time, the candidate 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
In the Improvisation & Interpretation test, the examiner will give the candidate a 12-bar lead sheet, over which they will be required to improvise a melody on their instrument. Four bars within the test will contain notated melody which the candidate must perform as written during their performance.
The candidate will first be given 90 seconds to prepare, after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is for the candidate to practise and the second time is for them to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one-bar count-in.
During the preparation time, the candidate 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.
The test will be:
- In the key of E major, C# minor, A major or F# minor
- 12 bars duration, of which 4 bars containing notated melody are to be played as written, and the remaining 8 bars are to be improvised
- Predominantly diatonic, but may contain occasional non-diatonic harmony and accidentals
- In 4/4 time, with a straight or swung eighth-note (swung quaver) feel
- At a tempo of crotchet=115bpm
Ear Tests
There are two tests: Melodic Recall and Harmonic Recall.
Melodic Recall
Tempo: Crotchet=95 bpm
The examiner will play the candidate a two-bar melody with a drum backing using the E major or A major scale. The first note of the melody will be the root note. The candidate will play the melody back on their instrument.
The test begins with a reference root note. The melody will then be played twice. Each time the melody is played it is preceded by a vocal count-in. There will then be a short gap for the candidate to practise. After the third vocal count-in (signifying the assessed part of the test) the candidate should play the melody along to the drum backing.
Harmonic Recall
Tempo: Crotchet=95 bpm
The examiner will play the candidate a two-bar chord sequence in the key of C major, drawn from chords I, IIm, IV, V and VIm. The test contains two chords per bar, and the first chord will be the root chord. The candidate will be asked to identify the chord sequence.
The test begins with a reference root note. The chord sequence will then be played twice. Each time the chord sequence is played, it is preceded by a vocal count-in. After the second playthrough, the examiner will ask the candidate to state the chord sequence. The candidate may use chord names (C major, G major etc.) or numerals (I, V etc.).
General Musicianship Questions
The final part of the exam is the General Musicianship Questions (GMQs) section, where the examiner will ask five questions drawn from the topics listed below. For the notation section, the examiner will ask the candidate to choose a piece they’ve played in the exam.
Music Knowledge
In Grade 5, candidates will be asked to:
- Explain the meaning of the time signature or key signature
- Explain the meaning of the tempo marking or any dynamic marking found on the score
- Identify any note pitch name(s) or rhythm value(s) found on the score
- Explain the meaning of any articulation or expression mark found on the score
Your Chosen Piece
In Grade 4, candidates will be asked to give one example of a musical feature of the piece which is representative of the genre, e.g. rhythmic features, harmonic features, tempo, feel etc.
Music Theory
In Grade 4, candidates will be asked to describe the construction of a diminished 7 chord or a minor 7b5 chord.
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 |
