Rock School Gradings

Georgie · March 2014

I have been playing guitar since June last year and am now ploughing my way through the Grade 1 book thinking that it will help me to keep my practice sessions focused, structured and constructive. Is there anyone else who is a doing this, also I am in the Burton/Derby area of the midlands if anyone local who wants to have jamming sessions etc.

I work hard with plenty of enthusiasm so even though my level of playing is not great yet I have high goals and aspirations to learn quick.

Thanks for reading!

BenSirAmos · March 2014

I think it is always good to have something to help you structure your practice - and Rock School is as good as any.

Nothing like the prospect of a live gig to really focus the mind, though.

Good luck

mike_l · March 2014

Hint, don't rush through thinking "I've finished Chapter1 tonight, will do Chapter 2 tomorrow" and not go back and revise chapter 1.

Make sure each section is learned fully before you move onto the next.

Hint 2, get a book of exercises (doesn't really matter which one) and randomly pick an exercise, and do that exercise for 5 mins (no more). Why? so you're not relying on muscle/finger memory to play the piece.

Georgie · March 2014

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

JAYJO · March 2014

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Also check the classifeds here. you get some great deals off the people on here.

JAYJO · March 2014

JAYJO said:

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Also check the classifeds here. you get some great deals off the people on here.

ps I cant reiterate it enough

Georgie · March 2014

Noticed!!!! lol

Sometimes I get like that too, like that too, like that too!!!!!

Thanks for the advice - I will keep my eyes peeled.

mike_l · March 2014

That's a delay post post post post

Jaycee · April 2014

Something that I like to do, is play the piece in reverse when you have learned it.

Georgie · May 2014

Funny enough I bought a delay pedal at the weekend. I have found a local tutor who has told me to miss out grade 1 as I am too good and that for everyday playing grade 4 is far enough for headings

Thanks for great advice I will try that!!! :S

Georgie · May 2014

'headings' WTF!!!! Should be headings!!! Lol

Georgie · May 2014

Damn predictive text has done is again GRADINGS!!!!

Phil_aka_Pip · May 2014

when you work on grade n, keep the book for grade n-1. you will find the set pieces at grade n sufficient to keep you occupied with playing them they way they want you to play them, and structurally may be too difficult to improvise over. That's where grade n-1 comes in. Use the set pieces as jam backings. You have become familiar with them for playing the set guitar part and if your tutor has done his job you will understand the theoretical analysis of those pieces. So now jam with them, and see if you can discover your own guitar parts.

Georgie · May 2014

Good advice - although I am a very lucky girl and the neighbour is grade 5 and we sit for hours jamming so I am getting that side sorted too. My new highest achievement is being able to play pink Floyd - run like hell!!!!

Clarky · June 2014

I'm taking one of my students through rock school grade 5 right now..

it's pretty good fun actually..

mike_l · June 2014

Clarky said:

I'm taking one of my students through rock school grade 5 right now..

it's pretty good fun actually..

I'm hoping to make it to grade 1, one day

Clarky · June 2014

I'd like to do grade 8 smashing up a drum kit with a Tele

mike_l · June 2014

Clarky said:

I'd like to do grade 8 smashing up a drum kit with a Tele

You'd do better smashing the Tele with a drum kit......

Clarky · June 2014

how about smashing a Tele on a drum kit..

thereby smashing up both of them.. that has to mean I get bonus marks..

mike_l · June 2014

Clarky said:

how about smashing a Tele on a drum kit..

thereby smashing up both of them.. that has to mean I get bonus marks..

You'd get a doctorate in smashing stuff for that.

Dr Clarky, Phd in smashing stuff. Got a ring to it......

Clarky · June 2014

oh jeez it totally does

Clarky · July 2014

Clarky said:

I'm taking one of my students through rock school grade 5 right now..

it's pretty good fun actually..

he passed today…

yaaaayyyyy ! ! !

Phil_aka_Pip · July 2014

@Clarky excellent!

hubobulous · July 2014

That's great, congrats. I'm thinking about these too. Good for focus in practising when I want a diversion from band rehearsal material

Georgie · July 2014

omg - how amazing!! Well I now use Grade 2 as my warm up and now trying to construct a solo for grade 4.
I will need to do a mock exam first though coz I don't understand the riff/improvise bit. I get the scales and the ear tests bit.

Clarky · July 2014

I'm well proud of him for passing.. it's so cool..

@Georgie I don't know the grade 4 stuff.. what is being asked of you with the riff/ improv thing?

Georgie · July 2014

It is in the technical exercises bit that you use the cd for after the set pieces. It is on the grade 2 syllabus.

Phil_aka_Pip · July 2014

@Georgie are you skipping G3?

Georgie · July 2014

Yeah my teacher says to put in for my grade 2 for the experience of doing an exam. Then because I only want gradings for a label for auditions for a band - grade 4 is the first one where you construct a solo so will be a good point to end on.

Clarky · July 2014

ahh... just took a look on the website.. and it seem that the only way for me to find out what's required is t buy the book..

I can imagine though that a riff improve would require you to create a simple riff [learn a simple riff that's been given to you] and then they'd ask you to make it fit a short chord progression..

so for example.. if you riff was in Am, started with the notes A, B, C, and the chord progression was Am ' ' ' I Dm ' ' ' I Am ' ' ' I Em ' ' ' I

your riff could be A, B, C, then D, E, F, then A, B, C then E, F, G so you're lil' riff follows the chord changes.

I'm not saying that this is exactly what's being asked of you cos I've not read the book, however, in grade 5 there is a lil' funky thing that's a bit like this.. essentially: "come up with a groove and then make it fit this chord progression"

what you are demonstrating is that you can create a small idea and then make it fit over different chords

Georgie · July 2014

Brill thanks for this.

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