The Student Room Group

Rockschool; Where Should I Start?

Hi guys. I have been playing guitar for maybe like two years now, and have decided that I want to begin taking grades (before I had been using online resources). I am able to play songs which rockschool says is grade 5 (e.g. Sweet Home Alabama and Little Wing), however I have never bothered learning things like site reading or some of the scales you are supposed to know. Should I just start from grade 1, or should I attempt to self study all the things I have missed? I don't want to get bored by doing things I find too easy. Thanks to anyone who reads this.
Original post by Jnwsinger
Hi guys. I have been playing guitar for maybe like two years now, and have decided that I want to begin taking grades (before I had been using online resources). I am able to play songs which rockschool says is grade 5 (e.g. Sweet Home Alabama and Little Wing), however I have never bothered learning things like site reading or some of the scales you are supposed to know. Should I just start from grade 1, or should I attempt to self study all the things I have missed? I don't want to get bored by doing things I find too easy. Thanks to anyone who reads this.

Advice lil bro, mix them in together. Get your basics down, using songs that are sight reading but teach scales maybe. Self Study is good, but don't get too rigid and try to be creative. DO listen to the basic rules tho in terms of music and scales, finger positioning and all that
Original post by Jnwsinger
Hi guys. I have been playing guitar for maybe like two years now, and have decided that I want to begin taking grades (before I had been using online resources). I am able to play songs which rockschool says is grade 5 (e.g. Sweet Home Alabama and Little Wing), however I have never bothered learning things like site reading or some of the scales you are supposed to know. Should I just start from grade 1, or should I attempt to self study all the things I have missed? I don't want to get bored by doing things I find too easy. Thanks to anyone who reads this.

If you don't know much music theory, I would recommend Trinity Rock & Pop instead as it still gives you the same qualification. I also think it's more fun as you chooses 3 real songs, rather than some being 'Rockschool originals'. The music theory part is substituted for improvisation, which IMO is more useful. However, to do well in improvisation it is likely that you'll have to learn some theory / scales / arpeggios. Also, do you plan on getting a teacher?
Reply 3
Original post by Ren Dover7
Advice lil bro, mix them in together. Get your basics down, using songs that are sight reading but teach scales maybe. Self Study is good, but don't get too rigid and try to be creative. DO listen to the basic rules tho in terms of music and scales, finger positioning and all that

Thanks!
Reply 4
Original post by Ameliejasmine
If you don't know much music theory, I would recommend Trinity Rock & Pop instead as it still gives you the same qualification. I also think it's more fun as you chooses 3 real songs, rather than some being 'Rockschool originals'. The music theory part is substituted for improvisation, which IMO is more useful. However, to do well in improvisation it is likely that you'll have to learn some theory / scales / arpeggios. Also, do you plan on getting a teacher?

Thanks for the response, I probably will try getting a teacher. I actually don’t mind learning theory, my bigger concern is sight reading (and reading music as a whole), but I will definitely look into Trinity Rock and Pop.

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