Electric Guitar Grade 8

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ELECTRIC GUITAR GRADE 8

What’s Involved?
Up To 75 Marks For
 You are required to play THREE pieces (each attracts 25 marks) or ONE piece (attracts 25 marks) and ONE original arrangement (attracts 50 marks).  Backing tracks are permitted.

You can elect to play:

  • all three pieces from those listed within our syllabus
  • OR you can opt for three pieces of your own choice (*please find guidance in ‘Own Choice’ Zone)
  • OR you can mix repertoire featuring in our syllabus list combined with pieces of your own choice (*again please visit ‘Own Choice’ Zone for guidance)
  • OR play one piece from the core syllabus or own choice and perform an original arrangement of a guitar standard or song (see guidance notes on arrangement below and visit the ‘Own Choice’ zone if choosing the own choice option)
Up To 15 Marks For
 CHORDS

  1. Play any major or minor chord in root, first and second inversion
  2. Explain the terms: chord inversion, slash chord, bass note and root
  3. Play a sequence of five or six major and minor chords all in root position – repeat this using at least two inversions – discuss your conclusions with the examiner

OR  
Explain any two of the following:
the circle of fifths / related keys / chord substitution / modulation
Up To 10 Marks For
 TUNING
To tune a guitar by ear on which every string will need adjustment – a reference high or low E will be given – two minutes will be permitted
Playing Skills Guide For This Grade
 Sextuplets / consecutive sixths / double stops / dominant ninth chords / four note slurs / bends / vibrato / pull-offs / ornaments, articulation and phasing
CORE SYLLABUS PIECES FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR GRADE 8
 PIECE(S)
 BOOK
 ISBN NUMBER
RED HOUSE
(bars 1-24)		 JIMI HENDRIX
SIGNATURE LICKS		 0-7119-5521-2
KING THING
MEMPHIS FUNK		 BLUES SOLOS
FOR GUITAR		 0-634-01395-5
THE BLUES NEVER DIE BLUES GUITAR SOLOS 1 875690 86 7
CLASSICAL GAS CLASSICAL GAS
THE MUSIC OF MASON WILLIAMS		 Warner Bros. Publications P0961 GTA
ORIGINAL ARRANGEMENT OPTION GUIDANCE NOTES The original arrangement of a guitar standard or song should include an instrumental intro/outro, a rhythm section and a guitar solo of approximately 32 bars. Candidates may play with an accompanist either a prepared backing track or use a second player/singer. A full transcription should be provided for the examiner using either standard notation or tab, which must include timing and chord symbols.
Click here for ‘OWN CHOICE’ ZONE

© Nationwide Music Examinations 2014

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