RSL Classical Guitar - Grade 8

The new RSL Classical Guitar syllabus aims to reflect the widening tastes of young people by embracing the work of established and emerging composers, and positioning itself at the forefront of a vast and rich heritage of music from the baroque period through to the modern day. The repertoire strikes a balance between a radical redesign and a recognisable structure, adhering to four key principles: championing ethnically diverse composers, representing genders, acknowledging the history and tradition of guitar pedagogy, and enabling students to feel comfortable studying music in a popular and classical environment.

RSL are renowned for their market-leading Rockschool examinations and comprehensive grade books. The RSL Classical Guitar syllabus books are beautifully presented, each containing everything that a student would need to prepare for their RSL exam: ten repertoire pieces drawn from a diverse selection of composers, technical exercises, and examples of supporting tests including sight-reading (or optional improvisation & interpretation tests), ear tests and general musicianship questions.

Content:

Examination Pieces:
Presti, Ida: Étude No. 5
Kaiyote, Hiatus: Breathing Underwater
Bach, Johann Sebastian: Gavotte I and II, BWV 995
Serci, Giorgio: Samba di Else
Paganini, Niccolò: Romanze
Pernambuco, João: Rebolico
Corea, Chick: Spain
Casseus, Frantz: On Sunday (Dance)
Tárrega, Francisco: Capricho Árabe
Myers, Stanley: Cavatina

Technical Exercises
Scales, Arpeggios and Technical Studies

Supporting Tests
Sight Reading
Contemporary Improvisation and Interpretation
Ear Tests
General Musicianship Questions
Classical Guitar Notation Overview
Music Notation Overview

Additional Information