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R&P Syllabus 2013 Guitar
R&P Syllabus 2013 Guitar
EXAMS
Bass
Drums
Guitar
Keyboards
Vocals
Trinity College London (Trinity) is an awarding body recognised in the United
Kingdom by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
in England, the Welsh Government (WG) and the Northern Ireland Council for
Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). Trinitys qualifications are
recognised by these authorities within the Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF). Various arrangements are in place with governmental education
authorities worldwide.
Trinity College Londons Rock & Pop syllabus and supporting publications have been
devised and produced in association with Faber Music and Peters Edition London.
Nicholas Keyworth
Chief Examiner for Music
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Range of qualifications
Trinitys Rock & Pop exams are part of a suite of qualifications offered by Trinity College London across
a range of musical styles, instruments and disciplines:
Entry Initial
1 Initial Initial n/a
Level 3 Track
Exam structure
TOTAL 60 100
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How the exams are marked
The marks for the Songs are made up of three assessment areas:
Song 3
Songs Technical
Assessment area Criteria include the following elements: 1&2 focus
TOTAL 25 30
The marks for Song 3 are different because higher marks are awarded under Technical Control
to reflect the three areas of Technical focus.
Trinity College London Rock & Pop exams are designed to encourage musical performances
in which the candidate can demonstrate their own personal style and approach. This may
involve some flexibility in the interpretation of the written notes, particularly at the higher grades,
where consistent and stylish interpretation is encouraged. However, performances should not
be simplified and musical integrity should always be maintained.
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For further details on the assessment criteria go to www.trinityrock.com
How the exams are marked
Candidates choose one of the two Session skills. Each is marked out of 20:
Session skills
OR
Pass bands
Distinction 87100
Merit 7586
Pass 6074
Further details of the assessment criteria are available on the website www.trinityrock.com
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About the exams
Entering for an exam After the exam
Exams can be taken at Trinitys international network of Report forms will be released to teachers and candidates
centres. Details of closing dates, fees, how to enter, and as soon as possible. The report form is a provisional result
location of exam venues and centres are available on and may change following moderation.
the website. Once the results have been processed by Trinity College
London through rigorous checking and moderation,
Special educational needs
certificates are issued for all successful candidates.
Trinity welcomes applications from those with special
educational needs. It is essential that these are notified at The exam room
the time of entry by using the special form available online. The exam room will be equipped with the following:
Taking the exam amplifiers suitable for Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
and Vocals
When the exam timetables are prepared, candidates
CD player, speakers/sound system for backing tracks
will be sent an appointment form. This will confirm the
digital piano (contact centre for details)
details of the candidate, grade and instrument together
jack-to-jack and mic leads
with the time and place of the exam.
table, chairs and a music stand
Candidates should complete the details of the songs vocal microphone and adjustable microphone stand
being performed, the order they will be performed, adjustable piano stool
indicate which song is their Technical focus song, and A good-quality drum kit which comprises:
indicate which of the two Session skills will be presented. snare drum with adjustable drum kit size stand
Candidates taking Initial to Grade 5 Vocals exams will toms (three minimum): high/medium/low
need to inform the examiner if any of their song choices bass drum (1822)
are in an alternative key. They can do this by including it hi-hat (1214)
in other important information on the appointment form. ride cymbal (1822)
It is the candidates responsibility to hand this completed crash cymbal (1418)
appointment form to the examiner at the start of the exam.
A mains power supply will be available at centres;
Examiners candidates are responsible for the electrical safety of
Examiners are carefully recruited and trained to conduct any of their own equipment used in their exam.
the exams in a friendly and professional manner. There will normally also be a warm-up room or area
Assessments are made using the published criteria and where candidates can prepare just before the exam.
examiners deliver the exams and carry out the assessment
of the candidates performances through a fair and
standardised process.
Examiners invite candidates to perform their set list in
their chosen order and administer their chosen Session
skills. Examiners will write a report on the candidates
performance but will not be able to reveal the outcome
of the assessment at this stage.
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Group exams
Rock & Pop group exams
Group exams are available for any combination of instruments at three levels:
Initial 13
Grade 1 13
Grade 2 15
Grade 4 20
Grade 6 25
Grade 7 25
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Group exams
Song choice
You can create your own band with bass, drums, guitar,
keyboards and vocals. To help you, we have provided at
least one song at each level from InitialGrade 5 with all
the parts for each instrument. Band songs are marked
with in the song list sections further on in this syllabus.
At each Group exam level you will need to create
a programme of the required length (see p.10). You
should use at least one of the band option pieces at
the appropriate level: Foundation level is equivalent to
Grade 3 and Intermediate level is equivalent to Grade 5.
Otherwise the choice is yours but ensure you keep to the
required parameters and the appropriate technical and
musical level. For Advanced level there are no prescribed
pieces so it is a completely free choice, although
candidates will be expected to choose songs at the
appropriate level (Advanced is equivalent to Grade 8).
Assessment
In the exam you will be assessed in two areas:
1. Performing your set (90 marks)
Your set should be presented as if in a gig in front of an
audience. You will be assessed in the following areas:
fluency & musical detail
technical control
communication & style.
2. Presentation skills (10 marks)
You will be assessed in the following areas:
programme planning
promo pack
presentation skills.
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Choosing songs
Song 1 Song 3
Song 1 must be selected from the relevant Trinity Two of the songs in each of the Trinity Rock & Pop books
Rock & Pop book (songs are also listed in this syllabus), are identified as Technical focus songs and these
or from www.trinityrock.com are marked with [TF] in the song list sections further
on in this syllabus. One of these must be chosen for
Song 2 your Song 3. These songs are designed to develop
Song 2 must be selected from the relevant Trinity technical skills. Each song has three technical elements
Rock & Pop book (songs are also listed in this syllabus), specifically identified. Guidance on the preparation of
or from www.trinityrock.com. Alternatively, Song 2 can these technical skills is included in the books. For the
be a self-chosen song: Technical focus song, higher marks will be awarded
under Technical Control to reflect the increased emphasis
Self-chosen song on this area. Examiners will refer to the three technical
Candidates may perform a self-chosen song. This must elements in their comments.
conform to the parameters set out on the website in If a candidate performs more than one song that has
terms of length and level of difficulty. This could be: been designated as a Technical focus song, then they
sheet music from a printed or online source must select only one of these songs as Song 3.
an original song that the candidate has written
a song that the candidate has arranged
(cover version).
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Choosing songs
Repeats, expressive techniques and tempi Copyright in a song
All songs should be prepared in full with all repeats, Points to remember:
da capo and dal segno instructions and 1st and 2nd you can create a cover version of a song and perform
time bars observed. Candidates are encouraged to it in an exam or other non-public performance
include a range of expressive techniques such as you cannot record a cover version or make recordings
vibrato, slides/glissandi, tapping, grace notes, pitch available to others (by copying or uploading it to a
bend, whammy bar, etc. appropriate to the style of the website) without the appropriate licence
song, particularly in the higher grades. Candidates you own the copyright of any songs you have
should observe terms showing tempo, character and written yourself.
style of the music.
Further information is available on the website.
Backing tracks
Backing tracks for self-chosen songs must be of good
quality and presented on CD or other portable media,
e.g. USB stick or MP3 player. These must not include the
solo part.
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Session skills
Either Playback or Improvising must be selected for the exam.
For further information on Session skills, the requirements for each
grade and the assessment criteria visit www.trinityrock.com
Playback Improvising
If you choose Playback, you will be asked to perform If you choose to improvise, you will be asked to improvise
some music you have not seen or heard before. in a specified style over a backing track that you have
You will be given a song chart and have 30 seconds to not seen or heard before.
study it or to try out any sections. The examiner will then You will be given a chord chart and have 30 seconds to
play the recorded backing track. You should listen to the study it or to try out any sections. The examiner will then
audio, copying what you hear; you can also read the play the recorded backing track, which consists of a
music from the song chart. passage of music played on a loop.
You will hear a series of short melodic phrases or drum You should improvise in the given style over the backing
grooves and fills, and are required to repeat each of track, which will be played four times through before
them straight back in turn. A count-in will be given at the fading out. A count-in will be given at the beginning
beginning of the recording, and a backing rhythm will of the recording, and a backing rhythm will be played
be played throughout. throughout. Guitar and Keyboards candidates can
In the exam you will have two chances to play along choose whether to play a lead melodic line, rhythmic
with the track: chords, or a combination of the two.
first time for practice In the exam you will have two chances to play along
second time for assessment. with the track:
first time for practice
No variation or improvisation is required what is printed second time for assessment.
on the song chart/heard on the track should be copied
as accurately as possible, including any details of
phrasing, articulation and dynamics at higher grades.
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Guitar
Tuning and set-up What to bring to the exam
Up to and including Grade 5, somebody may assist with Essential
tuning and set-up. From Grade 6 onwards, candidates are Guitar candidates must bring:
expected to tune and set up equipment without assistance. an original Trinity Rock & Pop book with the included
CD, and/or authorised download(s) from the website
Types of instrument the completed appointment form
For Initial to Grade 2, candidates can use either an their own guitar
acoustic/classical, electro-acoustic or electric guitar in if performing a self-chosen song the original score
the exam. From Grade 3 onwards, an electro-acoustic and one copy plus the backing track (if appropriate).
or electric guitar must be used, although an acoustic
guitar may be used for the self-chosen song. Optional
Guitar candidates may bring:
In the exam room their own guitar lead(s)
Candidates can choose to play standing up or sitting fx pedals/boxes/equalizers etc.
down. The examiner will have all the backing tracks so their own amplifier and mains power lead
the candidates CD is only required as a back-up copy. any other equipment required for their performances
At the beginning of the exam, the examiner will play the a set of spare strings.
first few bars of the backing track of the first song as a
sound check, and any adjustments to volume, set-up,
etc. can be made before the exam begins.
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Guitar song lists
Initial Grade 1 Grade 2
Black Betty [TF] Freight Train [TF] 2, 4, 6, 8 Motorway
Lead Belly Taj Mahal Tom Robinson Band
Breakdown [TF] I Believe Ill Dust My Broom [TF] I Love Rock N Roll
Jack Johnson Robert Johnson Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
Dirty Old Town I Walk The Line Mean Jumper Blues [TF]
The Dubliners Johnny Cash Blind Lemon Jefferson
I Am The Music Man Im Gonna Be (500 Miles) The Modern Age [TF]
Traditional The Proclaimers The Strokes
Rhinestone Cowboy These Boots Are Made For Walkin Rock Around The Clock
Glen Campbell Nancy Sinatra Bill Haley And His Comets
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Guitar song lists
Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
Albatross [TF] The Devil 5150 [TF]
Fleetwood Mac Anna Calvi Van Halen
This Charming Man That Golden Rule [TF] Run To The Hills
The Smiths Biffy Clyro Iron Maiden
Guitar Initial
ISBN: 978-0-85736-218-6
Guitar Grade 1
ISBN: 978-0-85736-219-3
Guitar Grade 2
ISBN: 978-0-85736-220-9
Guitar Grade 3
ISBN: 978-0-85736-221-6
Guitar Grade 4
ISBN: 978-0-85736-222-3
Guitar Grade 5
ISBN: 978-0-85736-223-0
Guitar Grade 6
ISBN: 978-0-85736-224-7
Guitar Grade 7
ISBN: 978-0-85736-225-4
Guitar Grade 8
ISBN: 978-0-85736-226-1
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Accreditation
UCAS A levels Rock & Pop exams Entry to UK higher education and UCAS points
points (Grades AE) (Pass, Merit, Distinction)
The United Kingdom Universities and Colleges
AS A2 Admissions Service (UCAS) has confirmed the
Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
level level inclusion of Trinity Grade music exams within the
UCAS tariff system, which is open to any student
120 A
applying for a course of study at a UK university or
110 other higher education institution. These exams will
contribute towards a students score of UCAS points
100 B when they apply for entry to higher education.
40 C E M P
35
30 D
25 P
20 E
15
10
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