1: YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW YOU WILL BE MARKED.

Perform 3 pieces and play the scales and chords in the book - 75% Sight reading OR Improvisation 10% Ear Tests 10% General musicianship questions 5% You need to get 60% to pass

2: KNOW HOW TO GET (AT LEAST 60%)

If you perform 2 of your 3 pieces with only a few mistakes you will have 35% already! If you can play the chords and scales in the book slowly but clearly then you will have another 10% (Total 45%) Choose your best skill out of sight reading or improvisation and you should be able to get at least 5% for it. (Total 50%) Do well in one of the two listening tests and you should get at least 5% (Total 55%) Learn the answers for general musicianship by heart and you will get 5%. (Total 60% !)

3: PRACTICE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER PRACTICED BEFORE.

I am talking 1 hour a day minimum! This may sound like a lot of work, it is. But, it is only for one week and will be so worth it! Be critical of yourself. Listen to the way you sound and listen to the recording If you sound different then practice until you are as good as the recording. Every bad chord that you fix and every mistake you remove is extra points that will help you get a great grade. Practice your scales and chords until they are perfect Can you play them 3 times in a row without making a mistake?

4: KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EXAM

You will be examined one-at-a-time in one of the music rooms. An amp and music stand will be set up already Your exam will only last for 15 minutes. There will be a waiting room for you to tune up and practice. You do not need to be scared of the examiner They are really nice people and I promise you that they want to pass you!

THE PIECES
You need to be listening to the recordings of your pieces a lot. To know them inside out you should listen to them all the whole way through at least 3 times a day. Play them on your phone, home computer, school computer, anywhere you can! You will not be able to stop and start again in the exam. If there is a small part of a piece that you always get wrong, practice it until you always get it right. I expect you to practice each piece 4 times a day minimum. The more times you practice the higher your grade will be.

SCALES AND CHORDS

These are written in your book and you can read from the book in the exam. You all know how to read tab so there is no excuse for not learning these and being able to play which ever one the examiner points to. Follow my advice in the practice diary for which scales and chords to practice every day.

SIGHT READING AND IMPROVISATION, AND EAR TESTS

You will practice these in your lesson with me.

GENERAL MUSICIANSHIP
Using Sunshine of You Love you will identify (point out) the following. The Treble Clef The Time Signature Whole notes Half Notes Quarter Notes Eighth Notes -

PARTS OF THE GUITAR