Preview: The Rockschool Version 4 syllabus for guitar, bass and drums

May 1 sees the launch of Rockschool’s latest Version 4 syllabus for guitar, bass and drums.
Since its release was announced, musicroom has been inundated with queries and questions about the incoming update. Now, we can reveal all!
In developing their all-new fourth syllabus, Rockschool talked to their students and teachers from across the globe in order to understand their needs. Their feedback and comments was the driving force behind this new standard.
Along with contributions from GRAMMY award winning guitar hero, Larry Carlton and Genesis, John Mayer and Chris Cornell session percussionist, Nir Z, the new syllabus represents over twenty years of Rockschool’s experience in designing, delivering and refining graded music exams for rock players.
New features: enhanced marking scheme and repertoire options
New features include a revised marking scheme for easier understanding and application within examinations in order to improve quality and consistency. There is also a new flexibility when it comes to repertoire and student choice. All supporting tests and exercises have been designed to support a player’s musicality and skill, enabling them to approach their performances with confidence whilst providing the tools for enhanced improvisation.
As students move up through the grades, their developing sense of style and taste can now be represented with a greater degree of choice and specialism over what they play. This will better reflect the reality of how pop and rock musicians learn, perform and progress.
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Supporting a student’s musical path
This philosophy hasn’t been limited to the syllabus’ guidelines either. In order to fully support and recognise the unique musical paths their students take in their learning, Rockschool have commissioned a number of bespoke pieces from specialist writers to cover a plethora of genres. This will allow candidates to demonstrate their mastery of a particular style as they advance through their grades.
Professional, industry standard recordings from top musicians
To reinforce this approach, the recording and production quality of the course material is equal to that of a commercially available album. With renowned producer, Nick Davis (Genesis, Bjork, Deep Purple, XTC) at the helm, and working from Genesis’ own Farm Studios, the music has the stylish authenticity and sound of a true commercial recording. The result is a range of exciting and engaging tracks for students to play along to without the distractions of poor quality or fake brass samples.
Talent wasn’t limited to the mixing desk either. Rockschool’s recordings feature top musicians working at the highest level of the industry today. The roster includes drummers Noam Lederman (Corinne Bailey Rae) and Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter, Bullet For My Valentine), Peter Huntingdon (The Who), guitarists Charlie Griffiths (Haken), Stuart Ryan (Guitar Techniques, Total Guitar, Guitarist), Kit Morgan (Curved Air) and bass players Henry Thomas (Paul Weller) and Dave Marks (Carl Palmer Band). The recordings also feature contributions from sound designer and hip hop drum specialist, Neel Dhorajiwala, who’s film credits include the smash hit Mama Mia!, Drumsense’s Colin Wollway and long-term contributor Deirdre Cartwright.
Layout
These refinements and additions are represented in a familiar format that students and tutors alike will find accessible, clear and easy to use.
The complete Rockschool Version 4 syllabus will be available to purchase from musicroom.com from May 1 2012.
For now you can add products from the syllabus to your musicroom wishlist and register your interst through the email form below:
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