The grade 2 exam is designed for people who have been playing for approximately 12 to 18 months. The exam lasts for 20 minutes. The pieces last for a maximum of 1 minute 30 seconds. The skills required are:
- accurate reading of notation including basic syncopation.
- basic damping techniques.
- moving between chords and single notes.
- basic legato/staccato.
- hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Scales
There are eight scales to play at this grade. All the scales are played at 80bpm with each note on a tick of the metronome (crotchets).
It’s always best to use your scales as a warm up. Especially if you are going to be practicing for a long period of time. It’s just like going to the gym for your fingers! Don’t rush. Play each scale slowly to memorise it and then start playing with a metronome. Start slowly and build your speed up. Remember, you don’t have to play the scales at full speed straight away. As long as you can play them at the right speed for the exam you are fine.
Chords
Power Chords
These are played in a sequence that can be found in the grade book.
Major chords
Minor 7 chords
Major 7 chords
Pieces
Below are videos of the pieces for grade 2. You need to choose 3 to perform for the exam.
Cranked
In this YouTube online video lesson is the first piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is an classic rock piece in the style of bands like Free and Aerosmith. It’s main focus is on power chords, legato and double stops. Try keeping your barre down when playing the D/A chord and watch the position shifts they’re harder than they look!
For the recording I used my 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
Cranked was written by Joe Bennett. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
Ska’d For Life
In this YouTube online video lesson is the second piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is a ska piece and is based on British ska of the 1970’s and early 1880’s. It’s main focus is on arpeggiated chords, staccato rhythms and heavy palm muting. Watch the syncopated rhythm on the double stops and be careful with the rests and palm muting. If you get it right, it sounds great!
For the recording I used my 2007 Fender HSS Strat through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
Ska’d For Life was written by Kit Morgan. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
Bonecrusher
In this YouTube online video lesson is the third piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is a metal piece in the style of bands like Black Sabbath and Pantera. It’s main focus is on power chords, slides and alternate picking. Watch the staccato power chords. make sure you keep them clean. Also make sure you don’t rush the hammer-ons. Make sure the note before any hammer-ons lats for it’s full length.
For the recording I used my 1979 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
Bonecrusher was written by James Uings. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
Hit It Harder
In this YouTube online video lesson is the fourth piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is a Texas blues piece in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top. It’s main focus is on shuffle feel , blues licks and palm muting. Try to use a strong picking attack to give the notes a more powerful tone and pay careful attention to the wing feel.
For the recording I used my 2007 Fender HSS Strat through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
Hit It Harder was written by Stuart Ryan. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
The Faith Divide
In this YouTube online video is the fifth piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is an indie piece and is based on bands like Kaiser Chiefs and The Killers. It’s main focus is on octave melodies, quaver (eighth note) strumming and open string pedal notes. Make sure you mute the 4th string with the underside of your index finger for the octave melodies and make sure the open E string rings through for the pedal tone in the single line melody.
For the recording I used my 2007 Fender HSS Strat through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
The Faith Divide was written by Simon Troup. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
Buzz Saw
YouTube online video is the final piece from the Rockschool 2012-2018 grade 2 electric guitar syllabus. This is a southern rock piece in the style of early Kings Of Leon. It’s main focus is on pull-offs, high tempo and chord embellishments. Make sure you play both notes in the double stops and count the rests carefully.
For the recording I used my 2007 Fender HSS Strat through a Boss ME-70 effects pedal straight into my iMac via a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface.
Buzz Saw was written by Deidre Cartwright. Backing track used with permission of Rockschool.
