what to expect

The Debut Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been learning for a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, coordination and musical understanding.

At Acoustic Guitar Debut, you will be examined on your choice of three performance pieces from artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Lumineers.

Key Features at Debut:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 1 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for six months to one year. They have mastered the key basic debut level skills and have since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. There is also an opportunity to build on basic improvisation.

Your exam will involve performance pieces from artists such as Bob Marley, Ed Sheeran & Jeff Buckley.

Key Features at Grade 1:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

At Acoustic Guitar Grade 2 you'll begin learning the fundamental techniques you'll need to develop a career as a skilled rock and pop guitarist.

You will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Taylor Swift, Passenger and Otis Redding.

Key Features at Grade 2:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 3 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for eighteen months to two years and who are ready to consolidate their final stage as a beginner player. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 2 and since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Improvisation phrasing is now confident and articulate and candidates have started to develop the beginnings of stylistic awareness.

You will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Kasey Musgraves, You Me at Six & David Bowie.

Key Features at Grade 3:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 4 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for two to three years and who are ready for intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 3 and since acquired greater use of technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will be developing a sense of expression and continuing to broaden their stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which will be growing in assurance and articulation.

The Grade 4 exams will introduce you to a range of repertoire from Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Robert Johnson.

Key Features at Grade 4:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 5 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for three years or more and who have fully consolidated their intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 4 and since acquired a greater use of appropriate technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have developed a good sense of expression, have a strong grasp of stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise which is now individual, assured, accurate and expressive.

Grade 5 featuring repertoires from James Taylor, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Clapton and more.

Key Features at Grade 5:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 6 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning in the region of four or more years and who have reached the first stage of advanced level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 5 and have since developed appropriate technique, expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have an increased extent of individuality, enhanced stylistic awareness and will be able to improvise with convincing shape and articulation. There will be good understanding of form and structure with clear musical communication.

This grade features repertoire artists such as Nick Drake, Fats Waller, José González and more!

Key Features at Grade 6:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 7 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for four to five years and have extended their advanced level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 6 and developed notable security of appropriate technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency and musical understanding. Candidates will be able to improvise with conviction and personality plus demonstrate strong musical form and structure. There will be mature and authentic stylistic awareness, with developing individuality and communication.

This grade features repertoire artists such as Kaki King, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Bert Jansch and more.

Key Features at Grade 7:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Grade 8 Acoustic exam is for candidates who have been typically learning for five years or more and have now consolidated their playing to a high level. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 7 and developed heightened technique, use of expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, fluency, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will be able to improvise to an advanced level with effortless assurance and personality plus demonstrate seamless musical form and structure. There will be an innate stylistic conviction and distinctive musicality with strong individuality. Communication will be commanding.

At this grade you will have the opportunity to perform repertoire from artists such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Django Reinhardt, Eric Roche and more.

Key Features at Grade 8:

• Performance Pieces
• Technical Exercises
• Supporting Tests

what to expect

The Professional Diplomas recognise expertise in people who are already working in the creative arts industries. They provide acknowledgement for high level achievement in either performance, teaching, or creative enterprise. Level 4 is generally for new professionals looking for recognition in their practice as they enter the creative industries.

This qualification can be completed at your own pace and no specific form of training is required. However, it is recommended that you contact a suitable trainer or mentor who will be able to provide you with opportunities for learning and the practical application of skills.

Designed to allow opportunities for flexible progression routes through the choice of optional units, the pathways can be tailored to meet your own specific needs. Whether that's working within the creative industries or for progression to further training or education.

what to expect

The Professional Diplomas recognise expertise in people who are already working in the creative arts industries. They provide acknowledgement for high level achievement in either performance, teaching, or creative enterprise. Level 6 is typically for experienced professionals looking to enhance their career through the recognition of their current professional practice.

This qualification can be completed at your own pace and no specific form of training is required. However, it is recommended that you contact a suitable trainer or mentor who will be able to provide you with opportunities for learning and the practical application of skills.

Designed to allow opportunities for flexible progression routes through the choice of optional units, the pathways can be tailored to meet your own specific needs. Whether that's working within the creative industries or for progression to further training or education.