Guitar Grades in Electric Guitar (RGT)

Paligulus

Hi Folks,
I've been playing guitar for about 9 years and I would really like to do the Guitar Grades. Its really for my own satisfaction, its not to get into a music college etc... so I would like to do it in my own time.
Not surprisingly, there isnt much info/train material on the net specifically for guitar grading ( I suppose if it was all on the net then there would be no reason to get lessons?!)

What I'd like to know is:
1) Has anybody done the grades yet? What did you think?
2) I can only find one reference:
http://www.music44.com/X/product/1898466580-M&source=googlebase%206

Would there be enough information in this book to pass the grade?
I know it is not required to read music but does this book contain tab?

Has anybody done Grade 8? How hard are we talking?!!

Thanks in advance

Dauthulachan

hey,

Yeah I did the rgt electric guitar grade 5 a couple of years ago. I got 97% in the exam which was a surprise. Grade 5 is the last kinda normal rock/pop chords one, after that they move into jazz really. So I haven't done any more since then.

I'm in college doing music at the moment and working on theory so I hope to tackle another grade pretty soon. The teachers diploma would be very handy.

I found that doing the grade five helped me concentrate on really knowing the basics etc. Bit of exam pressure always helps to focus the mind y'know( plus the fact you've forked out loads of money). you might be surprised to find that there are some holes in your technique etc.. that's always good for progressing.

Plus there's the sense of achievement you get and the nice certificate to hang on the wall. So by all means go for it!

Go to www.registryofguitartutors.co.uk

Exams are held three times a year.

All you need to pass each grade is contained in the relative handbook. Tab and chord symbols are included along with notation.

stevemcf

Hi,

When playing non-classical guitar most teachers use the Rock School system of qualifications.

http://www.rockschool.co.uk/rsl/index.aspx?pageID=175

I used these when I was teaching myself. We were in Bray and they came out to do exams there. These are useful qualifications if you want to teach etc.

Best of luck,
Steve

Thomas from Presence

I have to say the RGT exams are a great way of focusing somebody serious about their knowledge and musicianship. They are very well recognised (they even count as UCAS points after grade 5) and they are also well supported by most music books shops.

I'll be rolling out them as an option in my own classes as they are well worth it for anyone really deadly serious about guitar playing.

Halloween Jack

Thomas from Presence wrote: »

I have to say the RGT exams are a great way of focusing somebody serious about their knowledge and musicianship. They are very well recognised (they even count as UCAS points after grade 5) and they are also well supported by most music books shops.

I'll be rolling out them as an option in my own classes as they are well worth it for anyone really deadly serious about guitar playing.

Howdy, sorry to resurrect a zombie thread but I'm interested in doing these grades and can't seem to find a teacher for them.

I filled in an information request for the website of a Dublin guitar school which promised a response in 48 hours. That was nearly a wee ago and I'm still waiting. I'm not sure if xmusic academy still offer them but tbh, the location makes them a non runner.

Any help in locating suitable tuition would be greatly appreciated.

Matt Bianco

I was that soldier - PM me if you want links

Halloween Jack

Matt Bianco wrote: »

I was that soldier - PM me if you want links

Cheers matt, can't seem to get pm working, any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, did you do any of the grades? And if so how did you get on?

Or do you teach them?

Matt Bianco

I'm going for RGT 7 at the moment having studied them from Grade 4 onwards

I found them excellent as I had been playing for years but felt like I was finding it hard to advance and time was getting tighter so wanted to make the most of the time I spent playing guitar. The basic format is you get the book, find a teacher and work through the syllabus (which is the same structure just getting progressively tougher) and then sit the exams in December March or June). Exams the last couple of years has been X Music where previously it was the Dublin School of Guitar on Harrington Street .

I have worked with three teachers to date - first two were classically based but felt after Grade 6 I needed an electric specialist which is where I'm at at the moment. I found it hard to get a teacher through a combination of a) being told too personal information in first lesson with one b) no calls from a recommended teacher from my amp tech c) a shredder which isn't my bag before settling on my current teacher which is working out. I'm not sure if Electric has a larger proprtion of have a go merchants as opposed to Classical (which is far more regulated). All comes down to style and the ability of the teacher to communicate and listen to what you want/ need rather than being a great player

I'm based in North Dublin so PM me if you want any contacts

Halloween Jack

Cheers Matt, great info contained above. Although I've only recently decided to do the rgt grades, Ive been on the lookout for a teacher who suits me for a long time.

I will drop you a PM as soon as I can figure out how;)

paligulus1

I've been playing for about 15years and can play rhythm and lead pretty well - what grade would you recommend starting on?

freepower

Hey paligulus1, I'm one of the guitar teachers at the X music academy, I usually find people who have your level of experience do well starting at grade 3 or 4.

It really depends on your current understanding of theory - if you have that you could easily push up to 5 or 6 quite easily. You almost definitely have the skills required, you just need to be able to tick the boxes in the exam.

Halloween Jack - obviously X music academy is an option, but I can recommend some excellent teachers elsewhere.

Alan Grundy of the Dublin School of Guitar on is a fantastic tutor, he comes from a classical and jazz background but he's not a musical snob and knows the RGT stuff very well - he helped me with my teachers diploma.

Mike Brookfield is another great teacher, I haven't had lessons from him personally but he's a top notch all-round player and he holds the highest level of RGT qualification. He's got a guitar school in the city center but he might be doing lessons up in Portmarnock as well, talk to him and find out.

The RGT grades are really great for giving you some structure and direction, especially if you've been playing a while, I'm glad to hear you guys are having fun with them. ^^

flemingway61

Great info here about the grades. I'm looking to finish the RGT grades myself. I second freepower's remarks about Mike Brookfield. I studied with Mike for the guts of 7 years, and I can't recommend him enough. Fantastic all-round player, and great teacher.