Rock school

alexthecheese · 20 Jul 2006 at 12:43

Hi

Went to my guitar lesson last night and my tutor recommended that I get a couple of the new grade books from the new 2006-2012 syllabus from Rock School (.co.uk). Just wondering if anybody has ever tried any of these? I'll be getting it either way but just wondered if they're actually any good. I didn't even know you could do grades for it so would be interesting to see how it turns out.

Andelusion · 20 Jul 2006 at 12:45

Yeah the rock school books are alright.

Some of the songs are very cheesy to learn, but they're quite a handy tool if you'd like to have some 'grades' under your belt.

In terms of prestige and usefulness though as an academic qualification they're nothing compared to the associated board grades though, but if you're just wanting to do them for yourself then they'll be fine.

In the later books you have to learn a number of scales, modes and arpeggios which is all well and good, but your teacher should also tell you how and where to use these tools in your own playing, or else you're just copying from a book which won't help your playing at all.

alexthecheese · 20 Jul 2006 at 12:53

Well, that's the thing. I know modes, arpeggios, chord structures and all that, so I was wondering how high the technicality and theory of it went. I'll admit I'm lacking somewhat in scales to a certain extent though. I've had a lot of this with my tutor already for some time now, but a reinforcement of it from another angle could be good.

I do think though that if it's just a case of learn this song with a widdling solo, then I might as well choose my own widdling song to learn, eh? If it's more about phrasing, diminished returned-esque (just an example) kind of ideas and more in depth theory then I'm all up for it.

SidewinderINC · 20 Jul 2006 at 12:59

not sure if this is the exam board i did, is this with Trinity College? i think it is looking at the exam layout.

if it is i did grade 5 straight off, and i wouldnt feel happy putting myself through anything above grade 3 of the RGT (http://www.registryofguitartutors.com/) grades yet.
i was 2 or 3 marks off of a distinction, but i wouldnt hold these grades up and say i was a good player in the slightest!

Andelusion · 20 Jul 2006 at 13:01

There's really no in depth theory.

I jumped right in at Grade 8 without doing any grades before and being self taught and found it very easy (don't want to blow my own trumpet).

For grade 8 you have 3 songs to learn, in each of these songs you have to improvise a section over the backing track, that's about it for improvisation.

You also have to do a listening test, where you will hear a chord being played, you'll have to identify whether it has a Major 7th, minor 7th or dominant 7th extension, I have the Grade 8 book somewhere but can't remember everything else, although I'm pretty sure that's it for the listening test.

For the scales, modes and arpeggio section you'll be asked to play for example a 2 Octave F Phrygian scale, or whatever, if you can already do this you'll be fine.

Basically in terms of improvising it's pretty simple, you can make it as easy or as difficult as you want, the songs you have to learn aren't really that hard in the grand sceme of things, I think they call them Grade 8 in the grade 8 book because they have a number of techniques in that's all.

alexthecheese · 20 Jul 2006 at 13:23

Well he recommended starting at grade 7 or 8 myself too, depending on how chellenging I wanted it to be. I think he just wants me to use it as an aid to what he teaches me, but if it's just a case of learning techniques - which tbh (that trumpet thing here

) I dont think there's any that escape me - then I might as well learn songs that I want to learn!

I do find it sometimes difficult to find songs that I actually want to learn and that challenge me, so maybe it could be good after all.

Dont suppose you've got a PDF example of any of them have you?

sjt269 · 20 Jul 2006 at 19:57

Andelusion said:
I jumped right in at Grade 8 without doing any grades before and being self taught and found it very easy (don't want to blow my own trumpet).

Can you do that? I asked a friend who is really serious about music (he does violin) and his response what that you had to work your way through the grades, rather than jumping in at an appropriate level. Maybe it's different for violin, I dunno.

I'd quite like an official guitar grade...not going to get one anytime soon though, methinks.

Dave · 20 Jul 2006 at 21:23

Without disrespect - I think the grades are for the sake of having grades. I've known many drummers who are grade 8 rockschool on drums but put them in front of a band and they don't know what to do. Of course, it doesn't apply to everyone, but it's just something I thought I'd add - there's more to the instrument than grades.

I've always found the best way to improve is to play / jam with people and watch DVD's of the greats

sjt269 · 20 Jul 2006 at 22:17

Yeah, but to pass a formal grade, you'd need to learn various techniques and bits of theory etc, so it's a way to movitate yourself. A reward for your efforts, if you want to put it like that.

Andelusion · 20 Jul 2006 at 22:26

tTz said:
Can you do that? I asked a friend who is really serious about music (he does violin) and his response what that you had to work your way through the grades, rather than jumping in at an appropriate level. Maybe it's different for violin, I dunno.

I'd quite like an official guitar grade...not going to get one anytime soon though, methinks.

Yeah for rock school you can do the grades without having any theory grades, I think your chum was most likely doing the associated board grades with it being violin, to take any practical (instrument) exams higher than Grade 6 for ABRSM you need to have at least grade 5 theory, for rock school you can jump right in.

William · 20 Jul 2006 at 23:06

Aye I know rockschool, the songs are cheesey but if you feel comfortable learning in a structured way then I think they are pretty good.