Classical Guitar: Grade 5

Component 1 - Technical Work 15 marks

The examiner will request a selection of any of the following, but always including a Key Study ‘melodic theme’
(which may be awarded up to 5 marks).
Scales and arpeggios should be played ascending and descending, chords should be played ascending only. All
presentations should be performed from memory.
a) 2 octave major scales in ANY key
b) 3 octave scales: E chromatic, E major, E harmonic minor, E melodic minor
c) 3 octave arpeggios: E major, E minor, E dominant 7th
d) Major and minor chords with ANY root note
e) Key Study: 2 octave scales - Ab major, F harmonic and melodic minor, plus ONE melodic theme of the
candidate’s choice;
(i) La Donna E Mobile in A flat major (Verdi); OR (ii) Humoreske in A flat major (Dvorak)

Component 2 - Performance 60 marks

Three pieces from the list below. The programme should be balanced, with some contrasting pieces to demonstrate the
candidate’s range.

Dowland (1563-1626) My Lord Willoughby’s Welcome Home A minor

Giuliani (1781–1829) Allegro, Op. 40 No. 6 D major
Carcassi (1792-1853) Andantino, Op.60 No.3 A major
Anon (Trad. 19th C) Romance E minor
Tárrega (1852-1909) Lagrima E major
Lauro (1917-1986) La Gatica A minor
Houghton (1959-) Invention A minor
Skinner (1960-) Reflections No.2 A minor
Smith (1966-) Fields of Green E major

Component 3 - Discussion 7 marks

See pages 14-15. Sample questions are included in the Handbook.

Component 4 - Sight Reading 10 marks

A 3-part piece, of 8 bars’ length, ranging up to 3rd position, with a key signature range of 1 flat to 3 sharps. Up to one
minute preparation time will be allowed to study the test before playing, during which the candidate may try parts of the
test if they wish.

Component 5 - Aural Tests 8 marks

See pages 16-20. Specimen tests are included in the Handbook.

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 Classical Guitar: Grade 6
Component 1 - Technical Work 15 marks
The examiner will request a selection of any of the following, but always including a Key Study ‘melodic theme’
(which may be awarded up to 5 marks).
Scales and arpeggios should be played ascending and descending, chords should be played ascending only. All
presentations should be performed from memory.
a) 3 octave scales: F chromatic, F major, F harmonic and melodic minor
b) 1 octave C major scale in 3rds, 6ths, 8ths and 10ths
c) 2 octave scales in ANY key: major, harmonic and melodic minor
d) 2 octave arpeggios starting from ANY root note: major, minor, dominant 7th
e) Major, minor and dominant 7th chords with ANY root
f) Key Study: 2 octave scales - B major, G sharp harmonic and melodic minor, plus ONE melodic theme of the
candidate’s choice;
(i) Rondeau in G sharp minor (Purcell); OR (ii) Jupiter in B major (Holst)

Component 2 - Performance 60 marks

Three pieces, at least two of which must be from the list below. The programme should be balanced, with some
contrasting pieces to demonstrate the candidate’s range.
Dowland (1563-1626) Preludium E minor
Sanz (1640-1710) Canarios D major
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Bouree, from BMV996 E minor
Giuliani (1781-1829) Maestoso, Op.48 No.13 C major
Carcassi (1792-1853) Allegro, Op.60 No.23 A major
Tárrega (1852-1909) Rosita D major
M.D. Pujol (1957-) Preludio Tristón E minor
Skinner (1960-) Jono A major
If preferred, ONE piece may instead be chosen from the list of supplementary pieces provided below that are not
included in the examination handbook. (To aid accessibility publisher details are provided but alternative reliable
editions may be used if preferred.)
Tárrega (1852-1909) Adelita, from the Complete Early Spanish Editions (Chanterelle 1000)
or from Opere per Chitarra Vol.3 (Berben 1533)
Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) Romance de los Pinos (“Montemayor”), from Castles of Spain Volume 1
(Guitar Solo Publications GSP 74)
Tansman (1897-1986) Alla Polacca, from Trois Pièces for Guitar (Eschig ME7176)
Lauro (1917-1986) El Marabino (Caroni Music CAR2002)
Riera (1926-1999) Valse, from Four Venezuelan Pieces, Ed. Duarte (Universal 29174)
Brouwer (1939-) Un Dia de Noviembre (Chester CH61839)
J.L. Merlin (1952-) Carnavalito, No.4, from Suite del Recuerdo (Tuscany Publications TPS007)
Belevi (1954-) Prelude No. 5, from Preludes for David Russell (Edition Bafa)
OR
ONE ‘free choice’ piece of the candidate’s own choosing, providing that it is of at least a similar technical level to the
pieces in the grade handbook.

Component 3 - Discussion 7 marks

See pages 14-15. Sample questions are included in the Handbook.

Component 4 - Sight Reading 10 marks

An 8-bar piece, which may contain 4 note chords, ranging up to 5th position, with a key signature range of 2 flats to
4 sharps. Up to one minute’s preparation time will be allowed to study the test before playing, during which the
candidate may try parts of the test if they wish.

Component 5 - Aural Tests 8 marks

See pages 16-20. Specimen tests are included in the Handbook.

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 Classical Guitar: Grade 7
Component 1 - Technical Work 15 marks
The examiner will request a selection of any of the following, but always including a Key Study ‘melodic theme’
(which may be awarded up to 5 marks).
Scales and arpeggios should be played ascending and descending, chords should be played ascending only. All
presentations should be performed from memory.
a) 2 octave scales in ANY key: chromatic, major, harmonic and melodic minor
b) 3 octave scales: G chromatic, G major, G harmonic and melodic minor
c) 1 octave E harmonic minor scale in 3 different fingerboard positions
d) 1 octave A major scale in 3rds, 6ths, 8ths and 10ths
e) 3 octave arpeggios: G major, A major, G minor, A minor
f) Chords in 3 different fingerboard positions: E minor
g) Key Study: 2 octave scales – D flat major, B flat harmonic and melodic minor, plus ONE melodic theme of the
candidate’s choice; (i) Caprice in B flat minor (Paganini); OR (ii) Salut D’Amour in D flat major (Elgar)

Component 2 - Performance 60 marks

Three pieces, at least two of which must be from the list below. The programme should be balanced, with some
contrasting pieces to demonstrate the candidate’s range.
Dowland (1563-1626) Melancholy Galliard D minor
Praetorius (1571-1621) Courante D major
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Allemande, from BWV996 E minor
Sor (1778-1839) Cantabile, Op.43 No.3 A major
Carcassi (1792-1853) Allegro Brillante, Op.60 No.25 A major
Coste (1805-1883) Scherzando, Op.38 No.8 E minor
Tárrega (1852-1909) Gran Vals A major
M.D. Pujol (1957-) Candombe En Mi E minor
If preferred, ONE piece may instead be chosen from the list of supplementary pieces provided below that are not
included in the examination handbook. (To aid accessibility publisher details are provided but alternative reliable
editions may be used if preferred.)
Corbetta (1612-1681) Courante, from Suite in A minor (Universal Edition UE29156)
Weiss (1686-1750) Fantasie (Schott ED12320)
Ponce (1882-1948) Valse (Schott GA153)
Satie (1866-1925) Gnossienne No.1. Arr. Dyens (Lemoine 27247HL)
Granados (1867-1916) Dedicatoria (Union Musical Ediciones UMG20925)
Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) Prélude No.3 (Max Eschig ME6733 or ME9333)
Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) Torija, from Castles of Spain Volume 1 (Guitar Solo Publications GSP 74)
Lauro (1917-1986) Carora (Caroni Music CAR2002)
Brouwer (1939-) Berceuse (Durand DF15742)
Giltrap (1948-) For Those Who Bring Sunshine, from The Long Road Home (Lathkill Music LMP 119)
Belevi (1954-) No.5, from 5 Sketches for Guitar (Edition Bafa)
Dyens (1955-) Mambo des Nuances (Lemoine 26193HL)
OR
ONE ‘free choice’ piece of the candidate’s own choosing, providing that it is of at least a similar technical level to the
pieces in the grade handbook.

Component 3 - Discussion 7 marks

See pages 14-15. Sample questions are included in the Handbook.

Component 4 - Sight Reading 10 marks

An 8-bar piece, of a standard appropriate to the grade, ranging up to 7th position, with a key signature range of 3
flats to 4 sharps. Up to one minute’s preparation time will be allowed to study the test before playing, during which the
candidate may try parts of the test if they wish.

Component 5 - Aural Tests 8 marks

See pages 16-20. Specimen tests are included in the Handbook.
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 Classical Guitar: Grade 8
Component 1 - Technical Work 15 marks
The examiner will request a selection of any of the following, but always including a Key Study ‘melodic theme’
(which may be awarded up to 5 marks).
Scales and arpeggios should be played ascending and descending, chords should be played ascending only. All
presentations should be performed from memory.
a) 2 octave scales in ANY key: chromatic, major, harmonic and melodic minor
b) 3 octave scales in the keys of F sharp to A: chromatic, major, harmonic and melodic minor
c) 1 octave A major scale in 4 different fingerboard positions
d) 1 octave G and E major scale in 3rds, 6ths, 8ths and 10ths
e) 2 octave arpeggios starting from ANY root note: major, minor, dominant 7th, diminished 7th
f) 3 octave arpeggios with root notes of F sharp to A: major, minor, dominant 7th
g) Chords: A major in 4 different fingerboard positions
h) Key Study: 3 octave F sharp major scale, 2 octave E flat harmonic and melodic minor scales, plus ONE melodic
theme of the candidate’s choice;
(i) March in F sharp major (Tchaikovsky); OR (ii) Pavane in E flat minor (Fauré)

Component 2 - Performance 60 marks

Three pieces, at least two of which must be from the list below. The programme should be balanced, with some
contrasting pieces to demonstrate the candidate’s range.
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Gavotte en Rondeau from BWV1006 E major
Scarlatti (1685-1757) Sonata K.322 A major
Carulli (1770-1841) Overture, Op. 6 No. 1 A major
Giuliani (1781-1829) Andantino, Op. 111 No. 5 D major
Tárrega (1852-1909) Capricho Árabe D minor
Walton (1902-1983) Bagatelle No. 2 D minor
Myers (1930-1993) Cavatina E major
If preferred, ONE piece may instead be chosen from the list of supplementary pieces provided below that are not
included in the examination handbook. (To aid accessibility publisher details are provided but alternative reliable
editions may be used if preferred.)
Dowland (1653-1626) A Fancy (Schott ED12393)
Weiss (1686-1750) Passacaglia (Universal Edition UE14428 or Schott ED12320)
Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) Valsa-Choro (Max Eschig ME6793 or ME9333)
Ponce (1882-1948) Campo, from Sonatina Meridional (Schott GA151)
Turina (1882-1949) Soleares, from Hommage à Tarrega (Schott GA136)
Barrios (1885-1944) Preludio Saudade, from La Catedral (Alfred Publishing SI 00154)
Rodrigo (1901-1999) En Los Trigales, from Por los Campos de Espana (EJR 190151)
Lauro (1917-1986) Natalia (Valse Criollo) (Caroni CAR2001 & CAR2003)
Piazzolla (1921-1992) Milonga Del Angel (Chanterelle ECH725)
Brouwer (1939-) La Arpa del Guerrerro, from El Decameron Negro (Editions Musicales Transatlantiques 1704)
Giltrap (1948-) Tailor Bird, from The Long Road Home (Lathkill Music LMP 119)
Houghton (1959-) Grand Waltz, from Waltz Album Op.26 (Lathkill Music LMP 069)
OR
ONE ‘free choice’ piece of the candidate’s own choosing, providing that it is of at least a similar technical level to the
pieces in the grade handbook.

Component 3 - Discussion 7 marks

See pages 14-15. Sample questions are included in the Handbook.

Component 4 - Sight Reading 10 marks

An 8-bar piece, of a standard appropriate to the grade, ranging up to 9th position, with a key signature range of 4
flats to 5 sharps. Up to one minute’s preparation time will be allowed to study the test before playing, during which the
candidate may try parts of the test if they wish.

Component 5 - Aural Tests 8 marks

See pages 16-20. Specimen tests are included in the Handbook.
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