A NEW SET OF GROUNDBREAKING ROCK & POP MUSIC QUALIFICATIONS...

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.TRINITYROCK.COM @TRINITY_ROCK WWW.TRINITYROCK.COM/FACEBOOK INTRODUCING OUR NEW ROCK & POP MUSIC QUALIFICATIONS

Performance is at the core of these innovative new Rock & Pop Key Facts: Rock & Pop qualifications from Trinity College London – reflecting the way rock & pop musicians learn today. Graded exams for Initial (beginner’s level) to Whether they are self-taught or taking lessons, learning Grade 8 (advanced) for Bass, Drums, Guitar, for fun or heading for a career in the music industry, Keyboards and Vocals these new exams will help musicians develop valuable Exams which encourage individuality and creativity playing skills and achieve their musical ambitions. through options to include original tracks and to With graded song-lists spanning a range of artists from perform self-accompanied the Rolling Stones, , the Kinks and Joni An extensive range of musical styles from the classics Mitchell through to , Kings of Leon, Green Day to recent releases and , students can learn and have their efforts recognised while playing the music they love. Brand new, graded song books with demo and backing tracks, performance notes, and guidance Songs have been selected to demonstrate specific on technique and Session Skills technical skills, such as tremolando picking for guitar in ‘Knights Of Cydonia’ by Muse and R&B vocal techniques New online store with additional song-lists available in ’s hit ‘Umbrella’. as sheet music and audio tracks

Teaching and learning support available online including tips, blogs and forums THE MUSIC

A brand new set of song books is available for all grades. At each grade a group song is included so students can Each book will include six fantastic songs along with get together with friends to play together in a band; at professionally recorded backing and demo tracks, helpful Grade 2 they can jam a Blind Lemon Jefferson track and background notes and performance hints and tips. Grade 4, they can rock David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.

A wide selection of additional songs will be available for download from the online store, as sheet music with backing and demo tracks.

Each book also includes information about the two Session Skills which students choose from to complete in their exam – Improvising and Playback.

The books also include useful advice on choosing songs for the exam, writing original songs, copyright in songs, playing along to the backing and demo tracks and Backing & demo tracks playing in a band. Each song book includes a CD with professionally recorded backing and demo tracks. A team of highly experienced musicians worked on the arrangements and recordings including Ben Hillyard on bass, George Double on drums, Tom Fleming on guitar, Oliver Weeks on keyboards and Alison Symons, Bo Walton and Brendan Reilly on vocals.

The tracks were recorded at The Limehouse Studios in London and mixed and mastered by music producer, session musician and performing guitarist Tom Fleming.

George DoubleDrums recording session Sample pages from the Grade 4 Vocals song book THE EXAM AT A GLANCE THE SESSION SKILLS

Rock & Pop exams from Trinity College London have Students will choose to complete one of two Session Skills been designed to reflect the way rock & pop musicians Component Pass Maximum in their exam – Improvising or Playback – two extremely learn today, with an emphasis on performance, mark mark important skills for musicians. By developing these skills individuality and creativity. Students will progressively students will equip themselves with the tricks of the trade to Song 1 Choose a song from 15 25 develop important musical skills including improvising and help them in their careers. the book from playback as well as song-writing skills and the ability to or www.trinityrock.com/ play with other musicians. Improvising downloads. Students will perform a set of three songs in their exam, Students will improvise over a chord progression played and complete one Session Skills assessment – either on a backing track in their exam. They will be given a Song 2 Choose a different song 15 25 Improvising or Playback. The order of the set-list is up to previously unseen song chart with the chord symbols and from the book or from the student and songs can be chosen from the books or song style. These progress up through the grades and www.trinityrock.com/ from the additional song-lists on the website. One song include blues, ballad, rock and reggae. downloads or perform can be an original track, or it can be the student’s own an original song or cover cover version of a song. This song can be performed Playback version of a song at the unaccompanied, self-accompanied or with a backing same level as the songs in Students will perform a previously unseen song, presented track which could be the students own creation. the book. as both a song chart and as an audio recording in their The third song is chosen from one of the two Technical exam. They may use both resources – either by listening to Focus songs in the book for the Grade. These songs Song 3 Choose one of the 18 30 the audio to repeat what they hear, sight-reading it from include three specific technical elements which students Technical Focus songs chart or both. This reflects the way should be able to demonstrate at that Grade level. from the book, which rock & pop musicians work in many situations, Higher marks are available for this song to reflect this. cover three specific particularly session musicians. Guidance on the preparation of these technical elements technical elements. Guidance on both Session Skills options is in is included in the books. the song books, including practice samples in Session Skills Choose either Playback 12 20 notation and on CD. or Improvising.

Total 60 100 BASS

Rock & Pop Bass exams develop important playing skills Each exam will be supported by a book with songs in both beginning with basic positions, picking and damping tab and staff notation, a CD with demo and backing tracks, techniques, and moving on to new instrumental techniques performance notes, and guidance on technical skills and such as slapped and pulled notes, bends and slides, Session Skills. tapping techniques and harmonics. Session Skills will help to Songs have been carefully chosen to help students develop develop improvisation and playback skills – both important specific skills such as a rock ‘n’ roll bass line in ‘Rock Around for bass guitarists. the Clock’ by Bill Haley & His Comets. Performing is central to the Rock & Pop exams – students Graded song-lists include music from the Ramones, will play three songs and complete one of the two Session Radiohead, Talking Heads, Muse, David Bowie, INXS, Skills. There are also options to include an original song, Johnny Cash, Leadbelly, Pink Floyd, the Kinks, Morrissey, perform unaccompanied or with a backing track of their Robert Palmer, and many more. own creation, so students can make the exam their own and show off their individual talent. DRUMS

Rock & Pop Drums exams develop important playing skills Each exam will be supported by a book with drum charts, beginning with basic grooves in a range of styles with a CD with demo and backing tracks, performance notes, different time signatures, tempos and strokes, solo breaks and guidance on technical skills and Session Skills. and fills, moving through to new instrumental techniques Songs have been carefully chosen to help students develop including paradiddles, flams, drags, ruffs, rim shots and specific skills such as Keith Moon’s classic drum beats in ratamacues. Session Skills will help to develop improvisation ‘My Generation’ by The Who. and playback skills – both important for drummers. Graded song-lists include music from Creedence Clearwater Performing is central to the Rock & Pop exams – students Revival, The Wombats, the Rolling Stones, Moby, Elbow, will play three songs and complete one of the two Session Green Day, New Order, and many more. Skills. There are also options to include an original song, perform unaccompanied or with a backing track of their own creation, so students can make the exam their own and show off their individual talent. GUITAR

Rock & Pop Guitar exams develop important playing Each exam will be supported by a book with songs in skills beginning with basic chords and positions, picking both tab and staff notation, a CD with demo and backing and damping techniques, and moving on to new tracks, performance notes, and guidance on technical instrumental techniques such as hammer-ons and skills and Session Skills. pull-offs, bends, slides and harmonics. Session Skills will Songs have been carefully chosen to help students develop help to develop improvisation and playback skills – both specific skills such as classic power chords in ‘Pretty Vacant’ important for guitarists. by the Sex Pistols. Performing is central to the Rock & Pop exams – students Graded song-lists include music from Jack Johnson, will play three songs and complete one of the two Session Leadbelly, The Proclaimers, The Strokes, Sex Pistols, Paolo Skills. There are also options to include an original song, Nutini, The Byrds, Kings of Leon, Mötley Crüe, Black Sabbath, perform unaccompanied or with a backing track of their Fleetwood Mac, Santana and many more. own creation, so students can make the exam their own and show off their individual talent. KEYBOARDS

Rock & Pop Keyboards exams develop important playing Each exam will be supported by a book with songs in skills beginning with simple melodies, common chords and staff notation, a CD with demo and backing tracks, simple rhythms in different styles and keys, and moving on performance notes, and guidance on technical skills to pedalling techniques, scale passages, improvising and and Session Skills. playing more complex chords. Session Skills will help to Songs have been carefully chosen to help students develop improvisation and playback skills – both important develop specific skills such as playing arpeggios in the for keyboards players. David Bowie song ‘Heroes’. Performing is central to the Rock & Pop exams – students Graded song-lists include music from Faithless, will play three songs and complete one of the two Session the Crystals, Miley Cyrus, Robert Johnson, Taj Mahal, Skills. There are also options to include an original song, Aqualung, Nina Simone, the Carpenters, The Zombies, perform unaccompanied or with a backing track of their The Doors and many more. own creation, so students can make the exam their own and show off their individual talent. VOCALS

Rock & Pop Vocals exams help students develop their Each exam will be supported by a book with songs in singing skills, teaching them how to sing in different styles staff notation, a CD with demo and backing tracks, and registers, improve their sound, widen their range, performance notes, and guidance on technical skills decorate and improvise and develop breathing techniques and Session Skills. to support singing long notes and sustained phrases. Session Songs have been carefully chosen to help students Skills will help to develop improvisation and playback skills – develop specific skills such as rhythmic control in Aloe both important for singers. Blacc’s song ‘I need a Dollar’. Performing is central to the Rock & Pop exams – students Graded song-lists include music from The Ting Tings, will play three songs and complete one of the two Session America, The Beach Boys, Dido, Joni Mitchell, Editors, R.E.M., Skills. There are also options to include an original song, Jessie J, Michael Bublé and many more. perform unaccompanied or self-accompanied or with a backing track of their own creation, so students can make the exam their own and show off their individual talent. TEACHER SUPPORT LEARNING SUPPORT AND DOWNLOAD CENTRE

Rock & Pop exams and supporting resources are the Rock & Pop exams have been designed to reflect the ideal tools for music teachers. With a flexible approach to way rock & pop musicians learn, and will suit all musicians assessment and a wide range of music to choose from, whether they are self-taught or taking lessons. Students will Rock & Pop exams allow teachers to plan musical lessons be supported through the new song books, which not only Keep in touch that suit them and each of their students while offering the offer a selection of great songs to learn with background chance to have achievements formally recognised through information and performance hints and tips, but also a Join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all of accredited qualifications. detailed help section covering important areas such as the latest Rock & Pop news, reviews, discussions and song-writing, playing in a band and copyright in songs. learning hints and tips! The new Rock & Pop song books provide great teaching A wide range of online materials and tutorials will be resources whether students are preparing for exams or not. available, as well as blogs and forums. All songs have been carefully chosen to help students develop important musical and technical skills. Each The Rock & Pop online store will offer extensive additional is supported by helpful background information with song-lists for digital download as sheet music and audio performance hints and tips. High quality demo and backing files, as well as transpositions of songs. tracks are great for learning songs and make practising between lessons fun and easy. Session Skills will help students to develop essential musical skills and understanding such as www.trinityrock.com/downloads aural development, improvisation, composing and musical interpretation, and support is offered in the books and online. An ever-growing online store will also offer an array of Entering for an exam additional songs as digital sheet music and audio downloads Rock & Pop exams are available internationally and with some extremely exciting tracks to come! entering for the exam is easy. For more details about how to Teachers will be supported through a variety of online enrol visit www.trinityrock.com resources and will have the opportunity to network with other teachers and share ideas through blogs and forums. Comprehensive support and professional development will be available to all teachers through SoundEd CPD, the new Continuing Professional Development programme offered by Trinity and The Open University. More information about SoundEd CPD is available at www.soundedcpd.org. Trinity College London 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP Charity No: 1014792

Trinity College London’s Rock & Pop syllabus and FIND OUT MORE AT supporting publications have been devised and produced in association with Faber Music WWW.TRINITYROCK.COM and Peters Edition London.

@TRINITY_ROCK WWW.TRINITYROCK.COM/FACEBOOK Song-lists subject to change.