what to expect

The Bass Premiere exam is your first step to learning everything you need to know to play bass with the pros. You'll learn the fundamentals of the instrument, and then show off your new skills at exam time by playing five tunes from the Rockschool Bass Method.

Key Features at Premiere:

• The basics of music notation and your instrument
• Rock, Pop, Metal, Country, Indie and Hip Hop
• Simple basslines, riffs and arpeggios

what to expect

The Debut Bass exam is for candidates who have been learning for a short time and have learnt the basic skills.

At Bass Debut you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Ray Charles, Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran.

Key Features at Debut:

• Values, string crossing and rests
• Major scale and Minor Pentatonic major and minor arpeggios, riff playing
• Playback and performance skills

what to expect

The Grade 1 Bass exam is for candidates who have been learning for a relatively short time and have mastered the key basic skills.

At Bass Grade 1, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as The Temptations, Gnarls Barkley, and Mary J. Blige.

Key Features at Grade 1:

• Staccato markings, simple syncopation, dotted note values and eighth notes
• Major and Natural Minor scales; Major and Minor Pentatonic scales; Major and Minor arpeggios; riff playing
• Playback skills

what to expect

The Grade 2 Bass exam is for candidates who have been learning approximately one year to eighteen months and have established the key basic skills along with solid basic techniques.

At Bass Grade 2 you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Kings of Leon, U2, and Beyoncé.

Key Features at Grade 2:

• Shuffle rhythm, Latin rhythm, syncopation
• Major and Natural Minor, Major and Minor Pentatonic scales, Major and Minor arpeggios
• Playback and performance skills

what to expect

The Grade 3 Bass exam is for candidates who have been learning approximately eighteen months to two years and have established the basic skills, preliminary stylistic techniques and the beginnings of stylistic awareness through the introduction of solo and improvisation work.

At Bass Grade 3, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as The Beach Boys, Pharrell Williams, and Maroon 5.

Key Features at Grade 3:

• Soloing, improvising, walking bass lines
• Major and Natural Minor scales. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Blues scales, Major and Minor arpeggios, Dominant 7th arpeggios
• Playback and performance skills

what to expect

The Grade 4 Bass exam is for candidates who have been learning approximately two - two and half years and have mastered the basic skills, preliminary techniques and have acquired the beginnings of stylistic awareness. Grade 4 develops further stylistic conviction and understanding through developed solo and improvisation work.

At Bass Grade 4, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bob Marley & The Wailers, and Grace Jones.

Key Features at Grade 4:

• Dynamic control, ghost notes, vibrato, solo and improvisation work
• Major and Natural Minor. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Blues scales, Major, Minor and Dominant 7th arpeggios
• Playback and performance skills

what to expect

The Grade 5 Bass exam is for candidates who have intermediate skills and techniques and have developed an increasing sense of stylistic conviction. This is demonstrated through instrumental techniques, rhythmic complexity and solo and improvisation work.

At Bass Grade 5, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Daft Punk, Earth Wind & Fire, and The Killers.

Key Features at Grade 5:

• Slap and pop, hammer-on, complex syncopation, developed solo work
• Major and Natural Minor, Major and Minor Pentatonic scales, Blues scales. Harmonic Minor scale
• Major and Minor arpeggios and Major 7th and Minor 7th arpeggios
• Playback and performance skills

what to expect

At Bass Grade 6 you will be introduced to some advanced stylistic techniques and sophisticated understanding of scales and modes. As well as your performance pieces, the Quick Study will test your sight reading and session-playing skills under pressure.

At Bass Grade 6 you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Peter Gabriel, John Mayer, and Erykah Badu.

Key Features at Grade 6:

• Chords, Double-stop slapping, changing time signatures
• All five shapes of the Minor Pentatonic scale. Dorian and Mixolydian mode Minor 7 b 5 and Diminished arpeggios. Dominant 7th and Minor 7th chords. Stylistic Study
• Session work

what to expect

The Grade 7 Bass exam is for candidates who have developed advanced technical control and have a thorough grasp of extended stylistic techniques. At Grade 7 this is shown through mature stylistic conviction, execution of rhythmic complexity, mature and creative stylistic solo and improvisation work as well as a commanding sense of communication and performance.

At Bass Grade 7, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Snarky Puppy, Alanis Morissette, and Tower of Power.

Key Features at Grade 7:

• Intricate fingerstyle, montuno lines, harmonics
• Lydian, Phrygian mode, Major scale and Jazz Melodic Minor scale, Major 9th, Minor 9th and Dominant 9th arpeggios
• Dominant 7th, Major 7th and Minor 7th chords
• Stylistic Study
• Session work

what to expect

The Grade 8 Bass exam is for candidates who have mastered advanced technical control and have a thorough grasp of extended stylistic techniques. At Grade 8 this is shown through mature stylistic conviction, consummate execution of rhythmic complexity, mature and creative stylistic solo and improvisation work as well as a commanding sense of communication and performance.

At Bass Grade 8, you will be examined on your choice of performance pieces from artists such as Paul Simon, David Bowie, and Weather Report.

Key Features at Grade 8:

• Time signature changes, two-handed tapping, fast blues bass lines
• Whole Tone, Diminished, Natural Minor and Altered scales, Dominant 7‚ôØ5, Dominant 7‚ô≠5, Dominant 7‚ôØ9, Dominant 7‚ô≠9 Arpeggios and Dominant 7th, Major 7th and Minor 7th chords. Diminished arpeggio and Stylistic Study
• Session work

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.