Rockschool Exams

Norman86

Alrighty...

What is the general consensus of these exams?
I want to start doing this kind of thing to push myself harder, and also feel like im getting somewhere!!
at this moment, i have little motivation with guitar, and i've spent a pretty penny on it.
I want to do it, maybe this kind of thing is the push i need?!
Quite literally, i want to start at the beginning again!

While the internet is great, its kind of led me on a road to nowhere :-[
Too much info and all..

I also see there is rockschool exams for piano...

Warren

I'm writing my grade 5 exam in May, and it will be my first Rockshool exam.

Looking forward to it. The curriculum is quite fun, and you are required to play in a few different styles. You can also choose an external piece as long as it fits their requirements for the grade.

I decided to do it for similar reasons to you: to give myself a little structural direction. I'm also feeling a bit aimless with the guitar, and so lately I've picked a few things I really want to work on, and I'm going with that. Rockschool is part of that.

Seventhson

I am sorry but I won't right any of these "exams" 8)

Warren

Daniel Stuart wrote: I am sorry but I won't right any of these "exams" 8)

That's good, because you would need to write them to pass. ?

They're practical by the way, so you actually play the music to an examiner. There is no real written component.

Norman86

Daniel Stuart wrote: I am sorry but I won't right any of these "exams" 8)

yeah, they're practical exams...
anyways, what do you have against them??

Seventhson

Warren wrote:
Daniel Stuart wrote: I am sorry but I won't right any of these "exams" 8)
That's good, because you would need to write them to pass. ?

They're practical by the way, so you actually play the music to an examiner. There is no real written component.

Oh lol ok then thats different ? soz I was doing a thousand things at a time ?
I don't like school. But I won't go into it.

Warren

Daniel Stuart wrote:
Oh lol ok then thats different ? soz I was doing a thousand things at a time ?
I don't like school. But I won't go into it.

Willful ignorance is probably the single most harmful state of mind you can inflict upon yourself. I didn't much like school either, but the Rockschool syllabus is actually a lot of fun. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it! ?

Scorched

I did the Grade 6 and Grade 8 (in 2006 and 2007).

From what I remember, I was the last year to do the old syllabus but it has only changed slightly. I found it to be a great learning experience in the regard that pieces are quiet different (especially the the higher grade tend to be more jazz) and programme exploits your musicality as well as your ability. It also forces you into situations that any musician should be comfortable with e.g. the quick study piece, which you don't get exposed to when you're learning by means of the internet. Receiving your report back is also a good learning experience because it is honest feedback given by a professional of things in our playing that we need to hear and realise for the betterment of ourselves.

My only gripe with the programme is the ear test, but this was more the fault of my teacher. In the old curriculum I needed to play back a 8 bar chord progression and a 4 melody, with only hearing it twice and them giving you the key. My teacher didn't know how the were going to ask it nor to prepare me for it. Got nailed pretty hard in that section of the test ☹

All in all, great experience and for your purposes Norman, I can really recommend doing it!

Norman86

Sweet thanks!
I will definitely look into it then!! ?

domhatch

me, i'm gonna wait for warren to do it and get his feedback. let the swine go first and then decide whether to throw the pearls after, as it were.

no offense there, of course. i hope.

warren?

pearls before swine? that old chestnut?

ahem.

8)

Warren

domhatch wrote: me, i'm gonna wait for warren to do it and get his feedback. let the swine go first and then decide whether to throw the pearls after, as it were.

no offense there, of course. i hope.

warren?

pearls before swine? that old chestnut?

ahem.

8)

Um. Thanks? ?

I think the only issue I might have is the stuff Scorched described: the memory test, where you need to play back a progression after getting only a brief look/listen and a single practice run. These get tougher as the grades progress.

The songs are pretty cool but not too difficult, and the technical exercises (scales and arpeggios) are quite easy at this level.

I'm just really interested to see how the exam is managed.

MNM7

A question at Warren. Where did you get the material and how much does this whole thing cost you?

Warren

MNM7 wrote: A question at Warren. Where did you get the material and how much does this whole thing cost you?

The answer to that is a little complex.

Actual materials and stuff are cheap. The books per grade are about R200 or so from Marshall Music in Woodmead (you can probably get them in a couple of places). You can get the exam prices at http://southafrica.rockschool.co.uk/datesandfees. Mine cost me R755. So R955 total.

Of course, I took some time looking through the information online, and then through the books themselves. I figured that, overall, grade 5 was a good place for me to start (in terms of both theory and technique). Might be different for you.

Some teachers (like Deon at Music Connection) offer to teach you in line with the Rockschool syllabus. My guitar teacher doesn't do that. I'm happy that, for now, I can do enough on my own or through my teacher to cover all the things the syllabus requires. In other words, you might need to factor in some lessons with a teacher who is affiliated with Rockschool. If not, it's quite cheap.

domhatch

MNM7 wrote: A question at Warren. Where did you get the material and how much does this whole thing cost you?

from what i know, there is an exam fee, i'm sure warren will be able to fill you in on what it is, and the books etc are available at a few places, marshall music being one of them afaik.

the major advantage for me of doing the exams would be that they're (at least in some places and by some faces) recognised. and at least you could claim some kind of qualification if you wanted to teach.

cheers
dh

Warren

domhatch wrote: the major advantage for me of doing the exams would be that they're (at least in some places and by some faces) recognised. and at least you could claim some kind of qualification if you wanted to teach.

cheers
dh

Basically, once you've done your grades, you can take it further in terms of teaching diplomas etc. So it's all good stuff to have under your belt.

RobbieZ

I have started with the RGT (registry of Guitar Tutors) course. I am not in the position to go to a teacher and found that the books are a massive help. I will most likely do a exam a bit later on. I also started with it to get more structure in moving towards my musical goals.
Robbie

nick_D01

hey guys/everyone

i've been emailed all the exam period dates (rockschool) and the cutoff registration dates for next year. i also have the list of fees for each exam. i'm going to put a post in events and i'm going to put everything in there.

was just wondering if anyone else is going to be doing an exam next year ? ?