Grade 2
This section provides a summary of information about the Guitar Grade 2.
Sample
Scroll through Guitar sheet music samples at each grade.
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Key Features
Key features learnt at Grade 2 are:
- Arpeggiated Chords, Palm Muting, Alternate picking, Pull offs, Shuffle feel
- Major and Natural Minor. Major and Minor Pentatonic scales. Major and Minor 7th chords
- Playback skills
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Exam Structure
The exam lasts 20 minutes and the structure is shown below:
- Pieces or technical exercises
- Technical exercises or pieces
- Sight reading or improvisation
- Ear tests
- General musicianship questions
Pieces
At Grade 2:
- Pieces last up to 1 minute 30 seconds. There is some increase in position work and the development of basic techniques
- There is an option of 2 free choice pieces
Technical Work
A selection will be asked from 3 sections:
Sight Reading or Improvisation
At Grade 2 you will be offered either Sight Reading or Improvisation.
Sight Reading
- 4 bars in C or G major at 70bpm
- ½ and ¼ and 1/8 notes with ¼ note rests in 4/4
- 90 seconds preparation and practice
Improvisation
- 4 bars in G major or E minor at 80-90bpm
- Choice of lead or rhythm
- 30 seconds preparation
- 1 practice play through with backing
Ear Tests
There are two tests which are Melodic and Rhythmic Recall. These help develop the two key guitar skills; Lead and Rhythm playback.
Melodic Recall
- You will hear a two bar melody in C minor pentatonic played twice with a drum backing track
- You will then have a period of practice
- You will then be asked to play the melody along with the drum backing. The first note will be the tonic and the first interval will be ascending
Rhythmic Recall
- You will hear a two bar rhythm played with a drum backing on low E string of your guitar
- You will then have a period of practice
- You will be asked to play the rhythm along with the drum backing
- You will then be asked to identify the test from a set of two examples
General Musicianship Questions
For this section of the exam you choose the piece to answer 5 questions on:
- 4 questions on the piece and include, clef, time signature, note values and the construction of a major and minor chord
- 1 question on your instrument including, parts of the guitar, location of volume and tone controls and the names of open strings
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Related Products
You may find the following books useful for preparing for the Guitar Grade 2 exam:
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