Rock School Gradings

Georgie

I have been playing guitar since June last year and am now ploughing my way through the Grade 1 book thinking that it will help me to keep my practice sessions focused, structured and constructive. Is there anyone else who is a doing this, also I am in the Burton/Derby area of the midlands if anyone local who wants to have jamming sessions etc.

 

I work hard with plenty of enthusiasm so even though my level of playing is not great yet I have high goals and aspirations to learn quick.

Thanks for reading!

BenSirAmos

I think it is always good to have something to help you structure your practice - and Rock School is as good as any. 

Nothing like the prospect of a live gig to really focus the mind, though. 

Good luck

mike_l

Hint, don't rush through thinking "I've finished Chapter1 tonight, will do Chapter 2 tomorrow" and not go back and revise chapter 1.

Make sure each section is learned fully before you move onto the next.

Hint 2, get a book of exercises (doesn't really matter which one) and randomly pick an exercise, and do that exercise for 5 mins (no more). Why? so you're not relying on muscle/finger memory to play the piece.

 

Georgie

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

JAYJO

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

  Also  check the classifeds here. you get some great deals off the people on here.

JAYJO

JAYJO said:

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

Georgie said:

Thanks for this, yeah I try and practice everyday and normally play a few tracks with CD's, then some exercises and scales, then will pick up the Rock School book and either play a piece I know or start to learn a new one. My ideal is that once I can play all the desired tracks and theory for Grade 2 I will take the Grade 1 exam!

 

I went to the guitar show in Birmingham at the weekend and was totally inspired ever since.

 

My greatest achievement to date is to be able to play Sheryl Crow - Soak up the Sun.

 

I am really excited as I am going shopping this afternoon for a shiny new Boss pedal!!!!

  Also  check the classifeds here. you get some great deals off the people on here.

ps I cant reiterate it enough        

Georgie

Noticed!!!! lol

Sometimes I get like that too, like that too, like that too!!!!!

 

Thanks for the advice - I will keep my eyes peeled.

mike_l

That's a delay post post post post

Jaycee

Something that I like to do, is play the piece in reverse when you have learned it.

Georgie

Funny enough I bought a delay pedal at the weekend. I have found a local tutor who has told me to miss out grade 1 as I am too good and that for everyday playing grade 4 is far enough for headings Thanks for great advice I will try that!!! :S

Georgie

'headings' WTF!!!! Should be headings!!! Lol

Georgie

Damn predictive text has done is again GRADINGS!!!!

Phil_aka_Pip

when you work on grade n, keep the book for grade n-1. you will find the set pieces at grade n sufficient to keep you occupied with playing them they way they want you to play them, and structurally may be too difficult to improvise over. That's where grade n-1 comes in. Use the set pieces as jam backings. You have become familiar with them for playing the set guitar part and if your tutor has done his job you will understand the theoretical analysis of those pieces. So now jam with them, and see if you can discover your own guitar parts.

Georgie

Good advice - although I am a very lucky girl and the neighbour is grade 5 and we sit for hours jamming so I am getting that side sorted too. My new highest achievement is being able to play pink Floyd - run like hell!!!!

Clarky

I'm taking one of my students through rock school grade 5 right now..

it's pretty good fun actually..

mike_l

Clarky said:

I'm taking one of my students through rock school grade 5 right now..

it's pretty good fun actually..

I'm hoping to make it to grade 1, one day

Clarky

I'd like to do grade 8 smashing up a drum kit with a Tele

mike_l

Clarky said:

I'd like to do grade 8 smashing up a drum kit with a Tele

You'd do better smashing the Tele with a drum kit......

Clarky

how about smashing a Tele on a drum kit..

thereby smashing up both of them.. that has to mean I get bonus marks..

mike_l

Clarky said:

how about smashing a Tele on a drum kit..

thereby smashing up both of them.. that has to mean I get bonus marks..

You'd get a doctorate in smashing stuff for that.

Dr Clarky, Phd in smashing stuff.  Got a ring to it......

Clarky

oh jeez it totally does