es
Backing Tracks
Tech Exercises
I 2 3 4 5 6
Fake To rto ise Jet Blac k Camel Martha's Park Night Bus Blue Phones Glitter Ballz
7
Tuning Notes
8 9 10 II 12 13
Fake Tortoise Jet Black Camel Martha's Park Night Bus Blue Phones Glitter Ballz
14
Riff
Improvisation & Interpretation 15 16
With Chords With Lead
Ear Tests
Test I & Test 2
17
e e
Welcome to Guitar Grade 2 Guitar Notation Explained Pieces: Fake Tortoise Jet Black Camel Martha's Park Night Bus Blue Phones Glitter Ballz
2 3
4
5 6
7
8 9
Technical Exercises Sight Reading Improvisation & Interpretation Ear Tests General Musicianship Questions The Gurus Guide Entering Rockschool Exams
rockschool www.rockschool.co. uk
10 12 13 14
15 16 18
\ -el orne -o
e Rocks ool Guitar Grade 2 pack. The boo'-
.
g neeeeci. ..o p :
gra "' ereo mixes of each tune, backing tracks to play along with for practice, tuning notes and spoken two bar count-ins to each piece. Handy tips on playing the pieces and the marking schemes can be found in the Guru's Guide on page 16. If you have any queries about this or any other Rockschool exam, please call us on 020 8332 6303, email us at
[email protected] or visit our website www.rockschool.co.uk. Good luck! QUitar
In the book you "ill find the exam scores in both standard guitar o- ·on an L\B. The accompanying CD has fu.;_;_
Levell Requirements for Grades 1, 2 & 3 The nine Rockschool grades are divided into four levels. These levels correspond to the levels of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Further details about the NQF can be found at www.qca.org.uk!NQF. Details of all Rockschool's accredited qualifications can be found at www.qca.org.uk/openquals. Guitar Grade 2 is part of Level 1. This Level is for players who are just starting out and who are looking to build a solid technical and stylistic foundation for their playing. Grade 1: a player of Grade 1 standard should be able to play up to 32 bars of music using first position chords and melodies composed of whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and associated rests, tied notes, and dotted half and quarter notes. Performances should include basic legato and staccato playing where marked. Grade 2: in this grade you are beginning to acquire a range of physical and expressive techniques, including palm muting and the use of double stops on adjacent strings, simple legato and staccato and slides, as well as simple dynamics. In this grade you will also begin to work on your stylistic appreciation. Grade 3: this grade continues the foundation work started in Grade 2. As a player you will be encountering syncopated eighth and sixteenth note strumming as well as developing the palette of expressive techniques to include fretting hand and whammy bar vibrato, hammer ons and pull offs, slides and simple bends. The pieces of music are now ~anger, covering two pages and you should be developing your stylistic awareness, taking into account amp settings for each song.
Guitar Exams at Grade 2 There are two types of exam that can be taken using this pack: a Grade Exam and a Performance Certificate. Guitar Grade 2 Exam: this is for players who want to develop performance and technical skills
Players wishing to enter for a Guitar Grade 2 exam need to prepare three pieces of which one may be a free choice piece chosen from outside the printed repertoire. In addition you must prepare the technical exercises in the book, undertake either a sight reading test or an improvisation & interpretation test, take an ear test and answer general musicianship questions. Samples of these tests are printed in the book along with audio examples on the CD.
Guitar Grade 2 Performance Certificate: this is for players who want to focus on performing in a range of styles
To enter for your Guitar Grade 2 Performance Certificate you play pieces only. You can choose any five of the six tunes printed in this book, or you can choose to bring in up to two free choice pieces as long as they meet the standards set out by Rockschool. Free choice piece checklists for all grades can be found on the Rockschool website: www.rockschool.co.uk.
=
..,.
..
t..
=
D ~
u
@.)
I
Strings: -
~the
-
n
E B G D
G~ITL""RE graphically
guitar • Each horizontal ~ts a string, and ' represents a fret.
A E
~
:: ~
u
~
'
41h string, znd fret
Open D chord
Ad lib. and cont. sim. sections
Rhythm notation with suggested fingering
are shown in slash notation
Definitions For Special Guitar Notation IER ON: Pick the lower note, soo.nd the higher note by "it without picking.
PULL OFF: Pick the higher note then sound the lower note by lifting the finger without picking.
-
,..,;'
II
SLIDE: Pick the first note, then slide to the next with the same finger.
""' I
@.)
~
...
....-._
...
...
...
7-
A
-
I
...
- 5
A
-
and releasing the string smoothly and continuously.
A
""'
""
NATURAL HARMONICS: Lightly touch the string above the indicated fret then pick to sound a harmonic.
fr...,...,...,...,..., ...,
@)
II
HARMONICS: Bring the · umb of the picking hand into contact with the string immediately after the pick.
T
........
....-....
~5-7)-5
....
......._ ~
D
PICK HAND TAP: Strike the indicated note with a finger from the picking hand. Usually followed by a pull off.
FRET HAND TAP: As pick hand tap, but use fretting hand. Usually followed by a pull off or hammer on.
QUARTER TONE BEND: Pick the note indicated and bend the string up by a quarter tone. 1/4
#
-'fl.
t
-'fl.
~
I
@.)
BD
..__..
-f-s------H
P~CHED
BU
5--{ 6 )--{ 5 }--
u
tr~..._
-...
...----:---.._
-
TRILL: Rapidly alternate between the two bracketed notes by hammering on and pulling off.
,...,,
0
II
li
2~4
~
""' VIBRATO: Vibrate the note by bending ,...,,
... I
-
~
"'*
""'
@.)
I
ANDO: Pick the note and slide g the string in the direction -'' cated.
I
I
STRING BENDS: Pick the first note then bend (or release the bend) to the pitch indicated in brackets.
PH--- - - - - 1
I
I
1~4
l T
.... u
T
5
~ -fi's-!rfr-
I
A
5
r'll
7
.P
""
""' PRE-BENDS: Before picking the note, bend the string from the fret indicated ~tween the staves, to the equivalent pitch indicated in brackets in the TAB
....-...
f*19}--(7)r F
WHAMMY BAR BEND: Use the whammy bar to bend notes to the pitches indicated in brackets in the TAB ,..,;fl.
II
@.)
D.KalCoda
• Go back to the sign (%), then play until the bar marked To Coda ~ then skip to the section marked ~Coda .
D.C. al Fine
• Go back to the beginning of the song and play until the bar marked Fine (end).
/b ~ war
~
I
PB 7
w/bar--- - - - .,
BD
-...~
_T I
II
....A
II=
• Repeat bars between signs.
4--{ 5 )--{ 4 } - -
~~
~
""'
=II
II=
I =II
I
• When a repeated section has different endings, play the first ending only the first time and the second ending only the second time.
a.son .=11 5 Indie Pop lol
"" '-
. . ----
F~m
E ~!'-
+!
~
F~ m
E ~!'-
A
~
~.~
..
A ~~~~~.
m;{ let ring
...
-o--o--o-o--
v
{o--12~1 D-9-1()------9----7
.... ...,
7-
-7
v
o-o-
o-o-o-o---o-
{~r--12--1 ()-9-1
v
oo eT"
f ::
{~r--1 D-11r-1!r-1"-
4 -
' _. fJ
j.j
t!.
A B -fl--fl--fl-11--fl-f'-
u
E 11-f'-
f
T
E 11-f'-
A
_,.
_
. . ---B
F#m
_,.
m;f o--o-o--
v
1vD-{2~1 ()---9---1 o--9-7
1vD-1vo--{o--{o--1vD-1v2
I
..,.. ---B
.,.
v
7~7
o--o-o--o---o--
v
v
1 D--12-1 ()---9---1 o--9-7
7
0 7 -()-----{)-----
.... .D.
1;1
' ~ lol +!
""
u
G#m
A
B
•
mp -,J.
...
A
••
I I 1 J o-o-o-o-o -::
5~5~5~5~4~4~4
4
-.... ...,
1-1
1
2-4- 2 2-4
2- 4- 4-4-4- 2-
4- 2
-4
2- 4-2
1-
2-4
4
' "" ~ lol
t!
C~m
G~m
B
G#m
F#m
u
m;f
...
()---()-----()-o-----o-q--,---o--o--o-o--o--o-
1-
4
5 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 4 - 4 -1---5-
- 1
-....
5 - 5-
5-
o--Q-
7 -7-
7-
7-
1~1~1~1
4~2
4~2
4
1;1
'
....
G#m
A
"" "l lol +!
F#m
~~~-
G#m
~~~~~
'::
T
:: ~
f
-o--o--
::
.
G#m
A
~
~
1D-1vD-1vD-1vD--r---5 - 5-
5-
5 - 7-
7-7-7-r-1vD-1vo-{o-1vo-{-
:: ~
A B ~~~~~!'-
mf
f Q--0---{}-
1vD-1 D-1 D-1 D-1vD-{2
4
...,
__IS_
'
E
~ lol t! .
""
'-
_,. f'-
_,.
. . --
F#m
B
A
_,.
. . --
E _,. f'-
_,.
B
1Q--12--
1()----9--1 ()----9-----7
_,.
m;f ()--()------0--()---()----Q-D-0
r
1Q--12--
1()----9--1 ()----9-----7
o---o---o--o 7 --
7
7-~o--
'"'
~
'
E
"" fl lol
11
~!'-
B ~.~.
----
F#m
A
G#m
A
B
.~~.
~f'-f'-~f'-f-f-1'-
o-o---o-o7----9--1!r-1v()- -S-
.".. ~v. •v., 11r-12-12- 11r-12-14-14- 1
• •
t..
....
1v!r-12--1v()-9-1vQ-9-7
7~7
v
7
9
9
E n
f ::
....c 4
4
' © 2006 Rock School Ltd.
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegal.
H •= 8 Gnm e C
Asus 2
E
I ~ I ;ii~jji
...-
~ ~u I II=
I
f
.....
.
A
. 2 3
.....
....
-
"
1
sein Boon
i
'1
I
o--o-1x-x-O-O-O ~ 3 - 3 - 3 - -1 2-X-X-2-2-2 o--x-x-1-1-1- - 2 2 - X - X - 2 - 2 - 2 - -2 2-x-x-o-2 3-X-X-2-2-2- - o----o--x-x 3 0 v v
1
'1
I
~
§
Play3tiriles
Asus 4 A
~6~ji,IJ .....
::
3-2 . ± : ± =1------2-2 ~ ~ 2 -2 o----..
9
Asus 2
j j j =ll~f 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 v
v
v
0
o---o
2 2
2-2 2-2
v
v
o---o----
v
F
Dsus 2
Asus 2
~~ ~
if fiiiii lt
1 - 1 -X 1- 1 - - X 2 - 2 -X 3-3--X
3 2 - - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - -2 2--2-2-2-2-2-2 v v
v
v
v
o--..
~~
F
1-1 1-1
~2-2 3-3
:-B--!
-
::
v
--o--o--o--..
v
v
v
v
v
o--o----o---o-o--o----o---o--0--------0-Q----v
o----o---..
v
v
v
-$-Coda G
1 --1-1-1-1-1-1-1 2- - 2-2-2-2-2-2-2 2- -2-2-2-2-2-2-2
o--o--o--..
f-2--2-2-2-2-2-2f-2- - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2- 2 - 2 -
v
~======f
v
v
~
22-
v
E
~
l 1f fliiii 1
'1
1-1 1-1 2-2 3-3
D.C. al Coda-$G
~
Asus 2
F
'1
o--o--o--o--~
2 - r---2--2-2- 2 - 2 - 2- 2 2 -1 - 2 - - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 v
F
3
o----o---
1-1 1-1 2-2 3-3
3 2
2-2
3 3
1 - 1 - 3-
f
i1 2-2
'1
(}--------()---
3 3-1-1-------; 2-2-2 (}-------()---Q----~ 2-2-2- - 2-2-2--2 2-2-2-------; 3-3-33-3-3-3 o----.. v
mf
@j
C
fi!ijji1J j tiftti j =I Dsus 2
G
Cadd 9
C
f
E
' ;h !
II
8t3----~-~:= 8==8 -==--=-=-== --==-
--tf=t:ll
3~1----~
5 Rock chool Ltd.
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegal.
Joe Bennett .=110 Driving Blues Rock E7
u H.
'"" 1'.1
t.J
/
f q"tl=
~·
..,.
.. ..,. ..
-
~·
..,.
.. ..,.
~
.. ..,. .. -
..,.
~·
=
...._.."tl
..,.
~·
.. ..,.
~---
PM (light)- --- ---- -- - - - - -- - - --- - - -- - ------------ -- - -- --------- - --------- - ---- -- - -- ----- -- -- - -- - - - ---------- ·
.,. I
....au
7-5--5--5- 7 7 -- 7
"'
7- 5--5--5-7 7- -7
7-5--5 7--7
7- 5--5 7--7
u
-- ---- --- --- ------ -- -- --- -- -- ------ ---- ------- ---- -- -------- ---- --- -- -- ---- ---- --- -- ----- --- --- -- ----- --- --- --- -- -1
.,.
•~a~---~7-5---5--5-7~~-7-5---5-----4-----------+-----------~
tr-Jt"~;r--------7---7
7--7·----+---"7-5---5---5-7"~1---"7--5---5~-----l
~...._~-------------~---------~r-~----7----7
D
I
I
I
'---'
~·
t.
E
A
-" "l ~ +t
:;1
..,;
..
...-..
= II
'---'
~·
..,.
. ..,. .
..,;
..,;
..,;
mf
.,. ....Ag
u
f 3 2
2-4
2-4
2
7-5---5---5-7 7----7
u
"' '""f'l
7---7----~
1o1
-
..
H.
.
-
4-- - 4 - -- 4 2 - 2 -- 2
-
..
.
...--... /
r
t..
....
5-5-5-5- -a-r-5
a-r-5-5- 5- 5-5--a-r-5
I
5-
o--
5-5-5-a-r-5
5-5-5-
5--1-r-2-
.... A g
"'
r
~~~... ~~----2--2--2-2--1-r-2-r-~2--2--2-2--a-r-5-~--5-5-5-5-a-r-5~-~--5-5-5-5-----l
D
f'l
1o1
Dsus 4 D
A
E
b.
H.
114
--...:.....
t..
.... I
2- -2--3-2 3 - - 3 -- 3-3
....A g
6
" © 2006 Rock School Ltd.
2-2-2---Q---2-
3- 2
:::
u
.-... 3
~
·~ q~ ~--:~ '---'
.-...
2
u
.-... 2
u
..-... 2
1/4
3
2
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegaL
•= 25 Ska Am
B>m
Am
A>m
B' m
v f
'p--,J
--,J --,J ~
q4
~~ ~ ~
~
1 - - 1-
1
4-4-
F
D
:'
0
I
mf
+--3
I
5--4 5- -4 5- -4
:::
A
0
v
- 5
B~
G
j
r
f
PM(Iight) -- - ---
~ --- - ~-I
B
mf
1
-.~ ~
i'
4-
j-5-'
mf v
....
Am
b~ I ~
~
A .....
A>m
I
..... "
Am
p~
,../(')
I
B~
G
F
j
r
I0
I
f
iT
2
PM (l ight)- - -----------
Am
•
•
I
I
I
1 3 2
3 3 3
3 3 3
...
T'
_! D.
* ~rmf * r I* 3 3 3
Gm
@_
1
Am
0
Om
fl
Gm
A
I
1
u
I
I l
3 2
3
"
3 3 3
Am
Am
.,..,.
;
f*f
'f'-
f'- f'- .,.
.,.
5-5-r-fi_____,;--6- 5-
5-
~.,.
.,. .,. b?
f 5 5 5
.---4- 4 - 4 - 5
~
2.
1. F~m
0
-' 'I
8~
Em
c
A
Gm
A
lol
@_
~
mf
. ....... . ....
2 3 2
B~
A
T' _!
D. -
2 2 2---()--2
.
I
. .
~ ~ ~ ~ PM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ·I
f
I
o-o-o-o- 2-
2
..
f
:II
Q----2
f
Q-2--3~
3- 3- 2-Q
I A
P~- -·-- :--:- ------- -I
Om
.........
Om(maj 9)
*
j
I0
---
II -
p
-i-1----------+-----£=~~=~==~,-f-----: :=:==~.---11f---------+------+------H
--
II
--
~-------;or-----t--ss_____,;--s-5-5
4- 4- 45>----lf-------- - -- --+--- - -- + - -- - - - + - 1 0 lr i ~--~2---+--------+--------~-1-1_1_ 1 -~ -4~~~~0~==~~--1-----H
-
I
C 2006 Rock School Ltd.
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegal
Jason' oolley • =• - _fodern GuiUJT Pop
csus2
G/8
G/8
f..,
f
-,;• -,;• -:J_ ring-- --------------- ----- --- --- --- --- ----- --- --- ---- ------ --- I
i
0
0
0
.....
0
2
3
0
I
2
2~2~
0
Em
Am
I
r
0
2
0
G
I l
-
••
••
Dm
-
..... f:
:6-
-_.1
~
1!3-1-1~
2
2
r
""'""'
mf
Dm
G
- t.
1:-_,i""-ir--~-_-_-_-_-_ -_ - _---2-=._-:_o--_2_:=-_=f~_o--=._ _____1~ --~~-1-___o ________ -1_~-:I--~=--=-=---=-=---=-=---=-2:=--=-2==-'1-+-3=----1-==--1----Q---+-15
,
G
Em
.....
~
J
j~~ JJ j~ ~ J II=~
!
£ =II
f
:'f
....
£
0
o---o--2
o-----
. .
0
v
~
Csus 2
G
.....
I
~
£
9
'-'
£ I ~~
~
p
--
@.)
-
v
v
v
----- mf
r
v
2
I
3-1-1 v
2
Em
J F J
I
v
v v
~
v
3
A
I
2
v
2
v
~2 c
G/8
~
G
""""""
3-1
I
3-3 3-3 4-4 5-5
Csus 2
I
~--~
--f-----1
1-1 1-1 2- 2 3-3
G/8
3
I
g£ g£
let ring-------- -- ---- -- ----------- - ---------- - ------- - ------ - ----- - ----- - 1
Dm
I
£ I
1-1-1-1- 1-1 2- 2 2-2-()-()-2-2 3-3-2-2 v v
£ I
....
,.,.-_fl
!
I
G
J n J I J ; Jj ~ I n n ~ ~ mf fJ ~ ~ =f 'i
3-3- 3-3-3 3- 3-3- 3- 3 4- 4-4-4-4 5- 5-5- 5- 5
,.-----o--o-~ 1 - 1 - - 1- 1~ : r c : = 3 - 3 -3-3 2-2- -2-2 - s - - 3- 3 -3-3
g £ t~ £ 1-1- 3- 3 1- 1 - - 3- 3 2- 2- -4-4 3-3--5-5
. .
1-1- - 1- 1 3- 3 -3- 3 2- 2 - - 2 - 2 3- 3- -3- 3
F
G
F
¥#if$]
r
""""""
1-1----o-----
2
3
-
'
v
"'
'
Dm
G
G7
Em
G7
G
C
II
P-----=================~~============ f
~-r-3-1-1---i)r------t--1-5--i~ © 2006 Rock School Ltd.
n
G
J3a3n aa1 Daa£3 aa1JJa3so aa1JJ aa aa11
1
II
Em
,-
• L
- - - t - 1 11
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegal.
Deirdre C
;no-
.=110 Glam Rock E7
If f ~ ff
___:~=~---+1--=--~-==t'-~--,__----~-a----1
lf-it--------------tl-~-o 0
~
0-
- - - - - - - J __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ J
---
- t'l ~ !t
~
~
"T"
I
u
!
I
L......l
u
u
~
....
I
L..J
I
-J-
f
2--2--2--2 1- - 1 - - 1- -1 2 - - 2 - - 2- - 2
....
mfl
-J-
2
:: u
0
u
t
-J-
I
I
I
I
I
2 1 2
L..J
I
I
I
I
1>-_ _T_---t----tt:-. --{~}----:2--3--2--o--~ -+---{)~ -2--3--2
~ 2- -3--2:--o--~ -+---{)-~-2--3--21-2--4--2~----t-'1--2--4--2-1 1- 2- -4- -2-
-Jla-------11 + - - 1 - - 2 - - 4 - - 2 - 1
-
~-
..-- fl ~ !t.
- -
Lo
---F
~
2
...
~
~-2
-
~I
I
L....J
o-o---o-o----o 1--~ ~==~-1
o----2- -3 ~ 2-3--5--2
Jl
•
L.J
I
o----o-o---~
Q---2--3--21-2--4--2-
-
.....
1.1
..... fl ~ !t.
v
-~~·
+t-J-
II
q-ii ...... qt t
t
~-== '~,
f "T"
i
-2 1 2
B
....
2- -3-3-3-3-2-2 1 - - 2- 2- 2- 2- 1- 1 2- -3-3-3-3-2-2--2
2 1 2
v'
I
q~ ~ ~---~ . .
2-4--2-4--2
u
I
''
'-'
~PM ------------------- --- ----- - ---------------1
u
u
I
u
I
u
I
3-2
I
u
~
I
I
mf o---o-o-o-o-o---+-- -o---o---o----ol-+-- =
2--1-2-1-2-1
,
~~~- £ );i j;
.....
u
ill
'1
j;
/..CJ JJI ~ 19±
27"4- -2 - - 1 - 2
j;
ill
,. _!_
......
~/4--2--1-2- - 2 - 1 - 2 - 1
-""'-
d44-2 2
2-
1- 2
'1
g::~
E
t j; 19± I i
II
r-r-o~l
II
j;
f~
9
This music is copyright. Photocopying is illegal.
In this section, the examiner \\ill ask you to play a selection of exercises drawn from each of the ti:rree groups o :n o ,-. Groups A and B contain examples of the kinds of scales and chords you can use when playing the pieces. In Group C you
will be asked to prepare the exercise and play it to the CD backing track. You do not need to memorise the exercises (and can use the book in the exam) but the examiner will be looking for the speed of your response. The examiner will also give credit for the level of your musicality. Groups A and B should be prepared in the keys directed. Groups A and B should be played at J= 100. The examiner will give you this tempo in the exam.
Group A: Scales 1. Major scales to be prepared in the keys of C and G. G major scale shown
4
4
3
2
3
2. Natural minor scales to be prepared in the keys of A and E. A natural minor scale shown. f'l
..
..
II
2 g
u
2
3
3
3
3
2
II
3. Minor pentatonic scale to be prepared inC and G. C minor pentatonic shown
3
3
5
5
3
5
3
Group B: Chords 1. Power chords. The power chords shown below should be played as a continuous exercise
N (])
'"0 <'d
1-<
Cj 1-<
.....<'d
·s Cj 10
7 7
5 5 3
7 7 5
7
3
':
t..
li H
w
I !l
3. Minor chords f'l ~
Am 7
Dm 7
,..,.
!e
~~
1 1 2
T
.....
Em 7
f
II
:; _II
II
:;
Group C: Riff In the exam you will be asked to play the following riff to the backing track on the CD. The riff shown in bars 1 & : ~ be played in the same shape in bars 3- 8. The root note of the pattern to be played is shown in the music in bars 5 -- -_ The tempo is~ = 80. Cm
Gm
f 5
Cm
3
5
3--6
5
3
5
3
Gm
• 3
3
~e a oice oen,·een either a sigh reading test or an improvisation & interpretation test see fa · u elm- is the type of sight reading test you are likely to encounter in the exam. The piece will be composed e of either rock or blues. The examiner will allow you 90 seconds to prepare it and will set the tempo for you on a ::;::etronome. The tempo is. = 60.
· o.:::
:: _e .
t. t-
Roc
..
... p
i;
12
~o
~~:oc
3
3
2-----Q----2-----Q
f
I2
0
3
0
II
e o:: eGJC an ro · ed · e o a aa:ing tra\:K = - _ .: :y e· er rhythmic chords or a melodi lead line. Yo e ;::rra · e through one playing of the test on the CD before pla mg it a econd time for _ o e bar count in at the beginning and after the practice session. The tempo is . = 60. ~
~
~
Blues
,. J
61::
J
J
J
c 2
7
c
F 2
7
2
7
2
7
I
7
2
7
/
c
G
/
2
7
I
7
/
2
7
I
7
I
7
I
7
I
7
=I
_ne:'e are ·o ear tes in · grade. The examiner' · pla ·each test o ou on CD. You\ i : ~ C. one example of each of est -ou "ill be gi\ en in the exam printed below.
e
Test 1: Melodic Recall You will be asked to play back on your guitar a simple melody of not more than two bars composed from either the C or G minor pentatonic scales. You will be given the tonic note and told the starting note and you will hear the test twice with a drum backing. There will then be a short break for you to practise the test and then the test will recommence. You will play the melody with the drum backing. This test is continuous. The tempo is J= 90. fl
.. .
I
A
II
g
I
3
3
5
3
3
5
3
.
..
5
3
3
Test 2: Rhythmic Recall You will be asked to play back the given two bar rhythm on an open E minor 7 chord. You will hear the rhythm played twice with a drum backing. There will then be a short break for you to practise the test and then the test will recommence and you will play the rhythm to the drum backing. This test is continuous. The tempo is J= 90.
.. 1\
jj
u
....
~ I I•
2 u
14
! u
~
! ~
! 2
~ 2
~
!
0
0
2
2
~
!
~
~
~
2
2
II
2
II
G
e
Topics: i) ii)
Music theory Knowledge of your instrument
The music theory questions will cover the recognition of the following at this grade: Note pitches Note values Rests Time Signatures Key Signatures
Dynamic markings (p, mp, mf and f) Repeat markings Accents, staccato and vibrato Hammer on and pull off
Knowledge of the construction of the following chord types: Major Minor
The instrument knowledge questions will cover the following topics at this grade: Plugging into the amplifier and the guitar Volume and tone adjustments on the guitar Knowledge of open string names
Knowledge of parts of the guitar: Fretboard, neck, body, tuning pegs, nut, pickups, bridge, pickup selectors, scratchplate and jack socket
Knowledge of main guitar makes.
Questions on all these topics will be based on pieces played by you in the exam. Tips on how to approach this part of the exam can be found in the Rockschool Companion Guide and on the Rockschool website: www.rockschool.co.uk.
some andy · om. · ed ' .- Ro _-- ' oo s Gui·ar Gun: o ' e crorman e _ eces. Do feel free to adapt the tunes to suit your plaJing style. Remember, these -· m -;our musical imagination and personality.
.o
The TAB fingerings are suggestions only. Feel free to use different neck positions as they suit you. Please also note that any solo featured in the full mixes are not meant to be indicative of the standard required for the grade.
Guitar Grade 2 Tunes Rockschool tunes help you play the hit tunes you enjoy. The pieces have been written by top pop and rock composers and players according to style specifications drawn up by Rockschool. The tunes printed here fall into two categories. The first category can be called the 'contemporary mainstream' and features current styles in to day's charts. The second category of pieces consists of 'roots styles: those classic grooves and genres which influence every generation of performers. CD full mix track 1, backing track 8: Fake Tortoise
This a modern guitar pop track played in a brisk manner and with a bright tone. The opening melody line is played on two strings simultaneously: one is open and the other fretted. Accurate fingering and picking will be important so that both notes sound together. Watch also for the tied notes and the syncopations. Composer: Jason Woolley. CD full mix track 2, backing track 9: Jet Black Camel
A classic piece of early 90's grunge played mainly in chords. This is a proper picking hand workout, so make sure that you keep the tempo of the chords even. The demands on the fretting hand are also considerable: watch out for the 'dead' notes, chords which are fretted over the notes but which aren't sounded. The changes from chord to chord Efor example from the Asus 2 to the C in bars 5-8) should also be practised until they become second nature and fluent. Composer: Hussein Boon. CD full mix track 3, backing track 10: Martha's Park
This is a classic, riff-based blues-rock song. The opening four bar riff is repeated over the A7 chord for the following four bars and should be played with attack and control. Watch out for the dynamics in bars 9-12 which should build up so that the last twelve bars are really driven home. Composer: Joe Bennett. CD full mix track 4, backing track 11: Night Bus
Ska had a revival in the UK in the wake of punk rock in the late 1970s and The Specials were its most famous exponents. This song echoes that band's greatest hit, 'Ghost Town', in its use of atmospherics and sparse staccato chord work. The light and shade effects are produced by the dynamics and the palm muting. This song would benefit from the use of an echo pedal or similar effects unit. Composer: John Murphy
16
Co
o er: Jaso ' oolley.
CD full mix track 6, back ing track 13: Glitter Ballz
The last song in the set of six is a homage to 70s Glam Rock and Marc Bolan in particular. This song begins "ith ~ far--trademark stabbed double stop chords, reminiscent of 'Get it On: The opening riff relies on picking hand accurac; onl.- cs for the most part the theme is played on open strings (although watch out for the end of riff descents in bars 2 and -1). T..:1 remainder of the song continues in similar vein: watch for the dynamics and the palm muting. The final chord shoul e played loudly and boldly. Composer: Deirdre Cartwright. CD Musicians:
Guitars: Deirdre Cartwright; Hussein Boon Bass: Henry Thomas Drums: Noam Lederman; Peter Huntington Keyboards and programming: Alastair Gavin
Guitar Grade 2 Marking Schemes The table below shows the marking scheme for the Guitar Grade 2 exam. ELEMENT
PASS
MERIT
DISTINCTION
Piece 1
13 out of20
15 out of20
17+ out of20
Piece 2
13 out of20
15 out of20
17-t- out of20
Piece 3
' 13 out of20
15 out of20
17+ out of20
Technical Exercises
11 out of 15
12-13 out of 15
14+ out of 15
Either Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation
6 out of 10
7-8 out of 10
9+ out oflO
Ear Tests
6 out of10
7- 8 out of 10
9+ out of 10
General Musicianship Questions
3 out of5
4 out of 5
5 out of 5
Total Marks
Pass:65%+
Merit:75%+
Distinction: 85%+
The table below shows the marking scheme for the Guitar Grade 2 Performance Certificate PASS
MERIT
DISTINCTION
14 out of20
16 out of20
18+ out of20
Piece 2
14 out of20
16 out of20
18+ out of20
Piece 3
14 out of20
16 out of20
18+ out of20
Piece 4
14 out of20
16 out of20
18+ out of20
Piece 5
14 out of20
16 out of20
18+ out of20
Total Marks
Pass: 70%+
Merit: SO%+
Distinction: 90%+
ELEMENT
Piece 1
>
Entering a Rockschool exam is easy. Please read through these instructions care . be=ore ~ · Information on current exam fees can be obtained from Rockschool by ringing 020 8332 6303 or by logging on -o . website www. rockschool. co.uk. • You should enter for your exam when you feel ready. • You can enter for any one of three examination periods. These are shown below with their closing dates. PERIOD
DURATION
CLOSING DATE
Period A
1'1 February to 15th March
1' 1 December
PeriodB
1'1 May to 31'1 July
1'1 April
PeriodC
23rd October to 151h December
1'1 October
These dates will apply from 1st September 2006 until further notice
• Please complete the form giving the information required. Please fill in the type and level of exam, the instrument, along with the period and year. Finally, fill in the fee box with the appropriate amount. You can obtain up to date information oc: all Rockschool exam fees from the website: www.rockschool.co.uk. You should send this form with a cheque or postal order (payable to Rockschool Ltd) to the address shown on the order form. Please also indicate on the form whether or not yon would like to receive notification via email. • Applications received after the expiry of the closing date may be accepted subject to the payment of an additional fee. • When you enter an exam you will receive from Rockschool an acknowledgement letter or email containing a copy of our exam regulations. • Rockschool will allocate your entry to a centre and you will receive notification of the exam, showing a date, location and time as well as advice of what to bring to the centre. We endeavour to give you four weeks' notice of your exam. • You should inform Rockschool of any cancellations or alterations to the schedule as soon as you can as it is usually not possible to transfer entries from one centre, or one period, to another without the payment of an additional fee. • Please bring your music book and CD to the exam. You rriay not use photocopied music, nor the music used by someone else in another exam. The examiner will sign each book during each examination. You may be barred from taking an exam if you use someone else's music. • You should aim to arrive for your Grade 2 exam fifteen minutes before the time stated on the schedule. • Each Grade 2 exam is scheduled to last for 15 minutes. You can use a small proportion of this time to tune up and geready. • Two to three weeks after the exam you will receive a copy of the examiner's mark sheet. Every successful player will recei...-e a Rockschool certificate of achievement.
:;_=-
shed by:
---=
~ocksc
00 _::::
-
0 2C -33: =:L!
- LL
.,.. .....
--- --"---... .., ---- --~
-
"-"
www.rockschool.co.uK Printed by:
Caligrav1ng Ltd, Unrted Kingdom
CDs manufactured by:
brandedmedia Ltd, United Kingdom
Compiled & edited by:
j eremy Ward, Simon Pitt & Simon Troup
Syllabus consultants:
Deirdre Cartwright, Darryl Golding, Noam Lederman, And rew Moore, H enry T homas & jason Woolley
Audio executive producers:
Jeremy Ward & Alastair Gavin
Audio producer:
Alastair Gavin
Audio engineer:
Matt Gendreau
Additional mixing:
Kevin Paul & Dave Greenep
Recorded at:
University ofWestminster & Mute Studios London
Guitars:
Keith Airey, Deirdre Cartwright, Kit Morgan, john Parricelli, Jimi Savage, & Simon Troup
Bass:
Henry T homas & Jason Woolley
Drums:
George Gavin, Peter Hunt ington & Noam Lederman
Keyboards & programming:
Alastair Gavin
Mastered by:
Phil Scragg
Music processing & book layout:
Simon Troup & jennie Troup of www.digitalmusicart.com
Cover design:
Gillian Harding of www.fuelcreativity.com
Cover photography:
Max H amilton & Gillian Harding
l " :ur Guarantee of Quality As publishers we strive to produce every book to the highest commercial standards. The music has been freshly engraved and the book has been carefully
I designed to minimise awkward page turns and to make playing from it a real pleasure. Particular care has been given to specifying acid free, neutral -sized paper made from pulps which have not been elemental chlorine bleached. T he pulp is from farmed sustainable fo rests and produced with special regard for the environment. Throughout t he printing and binding have been planned to ensure a sturdy, attractive publication which should give you years of enjoyment. If your copy fails to meet our high standards, please inform us and we wi ll gladly replace it.
Warning Unauthorised reproduction of any part of this publication by any means, including photocopying, is an infringement of copyright.
RSK020603 E
.....
"'ztD '()
-..J
'l"o _.I\.)
I -...I -D-...1
OUl
-.,J-...1
"f6 VJ -..j
I
