Guitar Exams
The JME is a CMS exam and is the first exam you will take with us, usually in the 1st or 2nd year of lessons. Assessment takes place in school, with your instrumental teacher.
The SME is a CMS exam and is the second exam you will take with us, usually in the 2nd or 3rd year of lessons. Exams usually take place at the Music Centre with a senior teacher from the music service.
Syllabus
Two contrasting pieces that must meet the stated criteria
Fingerstyle Guitar
The piece must contain a range of six or more notes, contain two forms of rhythms, be a minimum of eight bars in length, in the key of C or G, and be played using rest stroke. Bass notes can be included but must be limited to open strings.
Plectrum Guitar
The piece must contain a range six or more notes, contain two forms of rhythms, in the key of C or G, and be a minimum of eight bars in length. Bass notes can be included but must be limited to open strings.
Examples from ‘Enjoy Playing Guitar’
Au Clair de la Lune
Good King Wenceslas
Yankee Doodle
Frere Jacques
Scales
G major (one octave beginning on 3rd string)
C major ( to 5th beginning on 2nd string)
A natural minor (to 5th beginning on 3rd string)
Arpeggios
G major
A minor
All scales and arpeggios to be played using rest stroke (Fingerstyle)
All scales and arpeggios to be played with a plectrum (Plectrum Guitar)
Syllabus
Three contrasting pieces that must meet the stated criteria
Fingerstyle Guitar
The piece must contain an octave range of notes, contain three forms of rhythms, be a minimum of sixteen bars in length, in the key of C or G, and be played using free stroke. All natural notes within the first three frets can be included.
Examples from ‘Enjoy Playing Guitar’
Theme and Variation
Waltz
The Ash Grove
Malaguena
Plectrum Guitar
The piece must contain an octave range of notes, contain three forms of rhythms, in the key of C or G, and be a minimum of sixteen bars in length. All natural notes within the first three frets can be included.
Examples from ‘Trinity Plectrum Guitar Initial Grade’
Banjo Joe
King of the Jungle
Stegosaurus Strut
Surfin’ Safari
Scales
G major
C major (beginning on 5th string)
F major
E natural minor (beginning on 6th string)
Arpeggios
C major (beginning on 2nd string)
F major
E minor (beginning on 4th string)
All scales to be played using rest stroke
All arpeggios to be played using free stroke (Fingerstyle)
All scales and arpeggios to be played with a plectrum utilising alternate picking (Plectrum guitar)
