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Rockschool books

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(@laughing-gravy)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 7
Topic starter  

Hi

Has anybody any experience of going through/useing the rockschool books to learn the electric guitar? These are the ones that have a cd with them and apparently you can also take an exam with each level.

Thanks
LG


   
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(@elamabuwa)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 10
 

Try this one

http://guitarebooksforall.blogspot.com/2008/02/first-e-book.html

Many more guitar ebooks are avaialable in
http://guitarebooksforall.blogspot.com/


   
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(@alangreen)
Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 5342
 

Rockschool is a graded exam system similar to "The Grades" that you can take on any instrument. You learn to develop strumming abilities, rhythm playing and lead soloing. There might be music theory content too, I don't know - if you have this month's Total Guitar Magazine, there's a section towards the back based on the Rockschool Grade 4 exam.

Using the CD probably won't be enough on its own. If you go for the exam, you'll be given a song sheet with the chords set out for the rhythm part of the exam, and you have to decide how you're going to play it (hint: power chords won't cut it). Then the examiner plays a chord sequence and you have to improvise a solo over the top.

Alternatives? The London College of Music grade exams for electric guitar, bass or classical guitar. Copies of the syllabus can be obtained free from the Registry of Guitar Tutors.

A :-)

"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk


   
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(@scrybe)
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Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

yeah, its just like The Grades in that you have a brief 'viva' where they ask you some theory questions (e.g. what is rubato time, or how is a lydian scale constrtucted), and there's a bit where you can either choose to improvise or sight read a brief piece. in addition to this, you have to choose two pieces from the books to perform in the exam (or two similarly lengthed and similarly difficult pieces) and play them note for note. each tune usually has some 'simple' bits where you are expected to improvise.

they usually have a good range of styles in the books, but, imo, the harder rock and blues really suck (they sound like horribly cheap imitiation of famous bands like radiohead and ac/dc, etc), and you could get as much, if not more, from learning well known cover songs which you can then use in gigging situations. the only downside with that route is you don't get the qualification.

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
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(@laughing-gravy)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 7
Topic starter  

Thanks for your relpies. So do you know if the grades can count towards your formal schooling in any way?

LG


   
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(@scrybe)
Famed Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

Sorry, but I need more info on what you mean by 'formal schooling' - the certificates are officially recognised, tho I'm not really sure what that means. I'll dig out my old books later and post if they have anything in them on this.

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
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 Ande
(@ande)
Prominent Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 652
 

Try this one

http://guitarebooksforall.blogspot.com/2008/02/first-e-book.html

Thanks, man- great link. Many books, free, and some really good stuff.

Best,
Ande


   
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(@hyperborea)
Prominent Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 827
 

Is this "Rock School" stuff the same as that TV show with the same name from the 80's where there were 3 hosts IIRC? It had a woman on guitar, a black guy on bass, and another guy on drums who were teaching the rudiments of instrument skills and how to play rock music. It was a British show from BBC or ITV or something. I seem to recall that Herbie Hancock was involved somehow. In Canada I saw it on TVOntario (a public broadcaster).

Pop music is about stealing pocket money from children. - Ian Anderson


   
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(@alangreen)
Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 5342
 

No, nothing like that.

"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk


   
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(@elamabuwa)
Active Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 10
 

Try this one

http://guitarebooksforall.blogspot.com/2008/02/first-e-book.html

Thanks, man- great link. Many books, free, and some really good stuff.

Best,
Ande

you are welcome


   
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(@cyranodb)
Estimable Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 178
 

I remember Rock School on PBS...used to watch it with my brother who played guitar at the time...I didn't play back then though. :(

"I use heavy strings, tune low, play hard and floor it. Floor it, that's a technical term." - SRV


   
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