RGT Electric Guitar Exams - Quick Guide
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- Опубліковано 16 лют 2019
- This video provides a quick overview of RGT's Electric Guitar Playing Exams.
I explain the various sections within the exam and aim to provide those interested with an idea of the approximate level of ability required from the first 'Step' exam, through to Grade 8.
For more specific information and detail regarding these exams, view RGT's information booklet:
lcme.uwl.ac.uk...
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I done all 8 grades about 14 years ago, still have the books. Just been looking at them after years of not playing guitar and its like a mountain all over again. Mainly the chords in 7 and 8 there is some amount of them ive forgotten
Cheers Justin, yeah - there's some serious content in there, especially in the higher grades!
Have you played regularly since you did your grades? I had a similar experience - had lessons but I personally wasn't applying it in the real world so I've forgot a lot of it.
@@MW-pm1kl I played in bands for a long time after but only really the scales came into play. Alot of the chords with extensions i dont think i have even played them since but i was playing mostly rock music, if you play jazz im sure they would get their use
@@JustinMcNabbIreland yeah, similarly to my experience, it seems to be a case of use it or lose it!
having played in bands for years I now want to start tecahing guitar but do not want to start at grade1 ... I was thinking of grade 5 onwards. Do you think this is a good idea or should I start from the beginning? I also wanted to ask is there an element of sight reading in grade 5?
Hi Jim, it all depends really on your level but assuming that you can handle and have knowledge of most barre chord shapes and regular scales then grade 5 is probably a good place to start . It's not really sight reading necessarily but you are expected to be able to read chord charts but not music notation. Hope that helps!
@@Learnguitarwithcharlie That's great. I ordered grade 5 book and it arrived yesterday. Looks like the perfect place to start for me. Thank you.
@@jimtalltheislandbrothers6639 Great to hear, thanks Jim!
Are these RGT Books able to sit for the Recorded exams? Because the tracks on the website for the Lead play aren’t the same. I think it’s for the latest handbook. So, if these old books couldn’t be used and I would like to take the recorded exam by this year, what should I do? I’ve been preparing since awhile now and just realised the tracks recently.
Hello, yes they are but you may want to get hold of the updated syllabus (lcmmusicshop.uwl.ac.uk/shop/dept/Electric-Guitar/100101). The tracks on the website will probably relate to the newer books I'm afraid. Bear in mind that for the recorded exams, you have the added benefit of being able to see and practice the charts in advance. Whilst it may be frustrating to have to learn new charts - in a face-to-face exam, you would have to improvise to the charts which are given to you on the day. Bear in mind that everything else in the old books is still assessed so you may just be able to get by using the chord charts on the website and not purchase the new book.
I hope that helps?
awesome video charlie. I am a self taught guitarist that is attempting grade 4 rock rgt and i would like to know more about the aural tests and the improvisation.
Daniel, a pleasure thank you! Thanks for watching, more than happy to help. What would you like to know? Happy to elaborate on on the aural and improv sections for Rock exams - maybe it would warrant another video at somepoint?
Thanks so much for watching.
Learn Guitar With Charlie Thanks for the reply. It would be very helpful to see an example of the improv and aural to get a better idea how they would work in the exam. If you could make a video that would be great.
@@danielpano9080 Thanks Daniel, improv & aural just for the rock exam? That's no problem, I'll add it to the list!
Thanks for these videos.
I always remembered wanting to study the RGT grades, but before you know it, life passes you by, ha!
I wondered if you would be kind enough to answer a couple of questions for me?
I've been looking at studying either Rockschool, Trinity, or the RGT@LCM Electric Guitar grades. From what I've gathered, as mentioned in your videos, Rockschool (as well as Trinity) focuses more on playing songs, with Rockschool kind of throwing some chords and scales at the end, for good measure (Trinity doesn't even seem to feature this!). Is it a fair assessment that the way Rockschool have thrown this in at the end, makes it more of an afterthought of the student, and it's just a case of only needing to remember a few things from their books?
If I'm correct in this, am I right in saying that RGT@LCM focuses more on your skills as a player, for example, if you wanted to do session work, it would really nail down the theory applied to guitar, to be able to be a more well-rounded and knowledgable player, rather than purely knowing songs off by heart, and a few scales, as per Rockschool?
This is what I'm actually looking for, in terms of the skills a session player should know, as I want to be able to feel comfortable in any musical situation and have a good idea of where I'm going with the music. More along the lines of understanding what I'm doing and why, rather than feeling like I'm just regurgitating facts, without any deep understanding.
Also, with RGT@LCM, are you actually taught music theory as a whole within the Electric Guitar Syllabus, or do you recommend still taking separate exams for Theory, and if so, who would you recommend.
Thank you for your time and help, and helping me have another look at RGT, as the website doesn't pull you in as much as Trinity and Rockschool so maybe their marketing can sort of blind you, compared to RGT, which I'm guessing is pretty much what you see is what you get, and no flashy things to sell it to you.
Michael
Hi Michael, thanks for getting in touch, glad to help.
In short, yes - in my opinion, the RGT grades focus more on the core skills you'd require as a 'working' player, whatever form that may take. However, as with everything - it's up to the player to get the most out of the grades; plenty of players have got a lot from the Rockshool grades (I still teach them a fair bit and find they can really work well, with a little guidance).
The RGT electric grades in particular can be quite heavy but will really put your playing, knowledge and ability to apply concepts under the spotlight.
In terms of theory, the grades do make a few assumptions but aspects of theory are intertwined with what they cover. I'd suggest giving them a go and if you're struggling with a few theory aspects then look at either Rockschool or LCM's theory offering. Both of which are offered as a separate syllabuses which you can study alongside anything else - they aren't instrument specific.
I hope that helps and makes some sense and helps a little bit?
@@Learnguitarwithcharlie
Hi Charlie,
Thank you ever so much for your response.
I think what you have just described, is exactly what I'm looking for in regard to being graded on guitar - especially in terms of wanting my playing to be put "under the spotlight", as this is a real weakness. I think I will definitely go for RGT@LCM in that case. I've been playing for nearly 20 years, but I would really like to start at the beginning and fix all the bad habits I've got; so, do you think it would be worth, whilst taking the RGT@LCM grades, to also learn the songs from the Trinity and Rockschool books, purely to take back my playing to basics, and record myself playing them. But, use the RGT@LCM grading as a way to actually refine my actual knowledge on guitar?
Also, regarding theory, I would potentially like to learn it properly. I see Rockschool is mainly "Popular" Music Theory. Also, LCM also does "Popular" Music Theory, but also just Music Theory, which I imagine the latter is a much deeper treatment of it. Although, I was considering maybe studying "Popular" music theory, to get a better understanding of how it's used in the more "modern" way, then possibly going back and studying the deeper treatment if I want to venture more into the classical realm.
How would you compare them both, if you have any knowledge of these from your own students taking them? Or would you say the "Popular" music theory I would end up learning within the guitar grades anyway, so the proper theory grades would help build upon that knowledge? I was originally looking between ABRSM and Trinity Music Theory, and whilst I love what ABRSM has done with the books for Grades 1-5, I hear it's a huge jump when you hit Level 6; so, I was looking more towards Trinity, as it seems to be better structured, in terms of each level building on the last. However, LCM is definitely an option, but I'm not too familiar with this, so I would need to research more.
On an added note, I see you do Skype lessons, is there any chance I could possibly discuss this with you - if you have any availability in the near future? I just want to make my shot at RGT@LCM as thorough as possible. And, well, fate seemed to have brought me to your channel when researching RGT@LCM, ha!
Thanks again for all your help, and sorry for the essay - it's much appreciated :)
Best wishes,
Michael
@Michael Hepburn Hi Michael, no problem - happy to help.
It just depends how much time you realistically have. It won't hurt to add some songs in but it's probably better to align your focus and just focus on one thing for the time being - Just my opinion !
In terms of the theory, view would be that if you want to end up playing 'popular' music (jazz, rock, blues, pop etc) then go with a popular music syllabus. The ABRSM stuff is great but it is very classical music focused, so a popular music focus may be more appropriate. I don't know a great deal about the difference in syllabus material between Trinity, LCM, Rockschool I'm afraid. If you like the look or feel of one over the other, then definitely go with that.
Yes, very happy to discuss lessons if they're of interest. Maybe pop me an email if you want to - charlieptottman@gmail.com.
I hope that's of some use, great to hear you're keen to study guitar, happy to speak anytime!
Hi im ready to take my grade 8 acoustic guitar exam in the spring of 2021. Ive just noticed that the the exam syllabus has changed. can I still do my exam from the old syllabus or do I have to start over again and learn new tunes and scales etc ? and ,can I do my grade 8 acoustic guitar exam online?
Hi Gina, I'm afraid the acoustic syllabus has been updated and Spring 2021 will be the first session where candidates will have the use the new syllabus. Bear in mind that the content (chords, arpeggios, scales & technical knowledge) hasn't changed but you would have to learn a new rhythm study and a new piece. I think that you may potentially be able to use one of the old pieces as a 'free choice piece' - I've created an outline of the new syllabus here: ua-cam.com/video/L2Tq6T9Az1s/v-deo.html
Hope that helps? Let me know if you have any other questions.
Oh and yes, you can sit the acoustic grade 8 exam online too - you can choose between a recorded or an online exam and you can enter via the LCM website: lcme.uwl.ac.uk/exams/digital-exams/recorded-exams
@@Learnguitarwithcharlie about the online exam. can I record the exam session and upload it anytime during the year or do you have to up load it on a particular date/ time ?
and im wondering if it was at all possible for some one to have already completed an exam say this week to do the same again online within the same exam period ?
@@georginakelly75 Hi Gina, with regard to the recorded exam, you can upload it at any time that you're ready - no specific date set. I'm not sure that I know what you mean - you can enter for an online exam any time too but bear in mind that an online exam is 'live' with an examiner, whereas the recorded exam is where you submit recordings of your playing yourself so the dynamic is slightly different.
Does that help?
Hi, thanks for such an insightful video - Would you say its possible for someone who's been playing playing the guitar for many years, without very much knowledge of theory, to just jump in at say, Grade 5 or 6, and start learning with a goal to eventually pass the exams up to Grade 8?
Thanks Peter, really appreciate that - thanks so much for watching. Yes, it is possible but is dependent on a few things. Firstly, without any prior experience of the exam environment - jumping in at grade 5 or 6 could feel a bit daunting so gaining some familiarity with the exam process would be very useful. Were you to go in at perhaps grade 5, I would definitely suggest getting hold of the books from maybe at least grades 3 & 4 to ensure that you're familiar with the material.
These grades are intended to be worked through sequentially to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the material so you do have to be mindful of that if you're intending on jumping in at grade 5 or 6.
I would also consider picking up a few lessons with a local tutor so they can check your understanding of all the material, this may help to give you piece of mind should you be preparing to sit an exam.
Otherwise, it's great that you're keen to work towards this stuff. I know that I go on about it in the video but I think that these electric grades really are the most comprehensive set of exams for those who are looking to improve their technical and practical knowledge. That's not to say that they work for everyone though but I'm a big fan of how they've been put together anyway.
Thanks again and hope that helps!
@@Learnguitarwithcharlie Hey, thanks so much for the reply, very helpful. I noticed in your video, you say that even at Grade 8, you could be tested on something covered in Grade 3 or 4 - As I said, music theory is not my strong point, so picking up some of the lower Grade books would probably be of benefit.
Having some local lessons is also a good shout. Whether I eventually take the exams is another thing - They do sound quite daunting!
@@Civilian2.0 Thanks Peter, yes you could be given stuff from previous grades but I think what I'm really getting at is that you'll need a good grounding in all the material in order to be able to progress.
As an example, 3 octave major scales at grade 8 are going to be very difficult to master if you're struggling to remember the notes for a one octave major scale shape which may have cropped up in an earlier grade. I would just urge anyone to not cut corners on the fundamental stuff, CAGED system, scale shapes, chord knowledge etc because it will come back (perhaps even indirectly) later on, even at grade 8 level.
That being said, all this theory stuff has to be used so try to apply any theoretical stuff as best you possibly can - it's so much easier to understand and apply it that way.
Thanks again for your support, all the best with your playing - it's a never ending journey!
can you do the latest? 2022?
Hello Rocky, the new syllabus hasn't changed a huge amount and the core of the things you are assessed on are broadly the same. I think this video is still relevant for the various sections. If you've got any specific questions about the new syllabus, just let me know!
@@Learnguitarwithcharlie what are the changes to the new syllabus?
@@rockychieng88 There isn't a huge amount and the core is the same; all of the various sections mentioned in the video remain unchanged. The sample chord and lead charts will have been refreshed and as far as I know, the questions focus more on knowledge of amps, effects and live setup.
This document will detail everything if you want to check anything:
lcme.uwl.ac.uk/media/1715/electric-guitar-syllabus-2019.pdf
It would be great if you do a video about diploma level.thanks and love from India
Hi Zenith, thank you. That sounds like a good idea - which Diploma are you interested in and what would you want to know, just a little overview of the exam process?
@@Learnguitarwithcharliergt Diplcm in electric guitar to be specific but alcm also would be great for near future to plan. I check out the handbook too but they say it's discontinued. A reference would be of great help. Is there any way I can contact you? Thank you
@@zenithkonghar6089 No worries Zenith, I think the diploma handbooks are only available in download form now (downloadsforguitar.com/electric-guitar.php). Sure, send me an email through my website: learnguitarwithcharlie.com/get-in-touch/
Awesome where are you based do you teach on line
Thank you! I'm close to guildford, Surrey.
I haven't done any online lessons for a while but I'd be happy to discuss options with you if you're interested.