CLASSICAL

GUITAR
2022 Syllabus
GRADED CERTIFICATES
Debut — Grade 8

* All components are cumulative. See previous grades.

† Please note: pagination may be extended for duets or scores containing more than one part, tablature etc.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | FREE CHOICE PIECES LINK: TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to the RSL Awards 2022 syllabus for Classical Guitar – Graded Certificates Guidance
This guide is a supplement to the main syllabus specification, and is designed to give teachers, learners and
candidates guidance on preparing for their graded certificate examination.

This guide covers the following qualifications:

▬ Graded certificates: Debut to Grade 8

For more information about other types of classical guitar examination, please download the main classical
guitar syllabus guide from www.rslawards.com.

Period of operation
This syllabus specification covers graded qualifications in Classical Guitar from 2022.

GRADED CERTIFICATES | GENERAL GUIDANCE

For a graded certificate, candidates must perform

▬ Three performance pieces

▬ The contents of the technical exercises sections as detailed in this document

Technical Exercise submission list

▬ All groups are played unaccompanied (without metronome or click).

▬ Candidates will be marked on tone quality and consistency, maintenance of pulse, and accuracy.
Performances slower than the stated minimum tempo may not be able to achieve the full range of
marks.

At each grade candidates should choose one technical study to perform.

GRADED CERTIFICATES | GRADING CRITERIA

The grading criteria for RSL Classical Guitar Graded Certificates can be downloaded here:

www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/
DEBUT

Graded Certificate | Technical List

Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Group A: Scales

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

C major, A minor Tonic up q = 70 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

to 5th, ▬ fingers only
back to
Tonic

G major pentatonic 1 octave q = 70 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice

▬ fingers only

Group B: Technical Studies

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.
GRADE 1

Group A: Scales & Double-Stopped Exercise

Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

G, F, C major 1 octave q = 75 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

Minor scales

A minor, E minor 1 octave q = 75 ▬ tirando

Natural or harmonic minor ▬ thumb only
(candidate choice)

Double-Stopped Exercise

G major Double-Stopped Exercise As shown q = 75 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
book

Group B: Arpeggios
Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even crotchets. Over-ringing of notes is acceptable at this
grade.

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major arpeggios

G major 1 octave q = 75 ▬ tirando

▬ fingers only

F major 1 octave q = 75 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb only

Minor arpeggios

E minor 1 octave e = 100 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | FREE CHOICE PIECES LINK: TABLE OF CONTENTS
GRADE 2

Group A: Scales & Double-Stopped Exercise

Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

D major Root to q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

the 12th ▬ fingers only

C major 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb only

Minor scales

D harmonic minor 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

B minor: Natural or harmonic minor 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

(candidate’s choice) ▬ thumb only

Chromatic scale

Chromatic scale starting on A 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb only

Double-stopped exercise

G minor double-stopped exercise 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Group B: Arpeggios
Candidates are to prepare all of the following, in even quavers. Over-ringing of notes is acceptable at this grade.

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major arpeggios

D major Root to q = 80 ▬ tirando

the 12th ▬ thumb and fingers

C major 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Minor arpeggios

D minor 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 3

Group A: Scales & Double-Stopped Exercise

Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

C major 1 octave q = 65 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

G major 2 octaves q = 65 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Minor scales

E harmonic minor 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

B harmonic minor 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

B natural minor ▬ fingers only

Chromatic scale

Chromatic scale starting on D 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

Double-stopped exercises

A minor double-stopped exercise in As shown q = 80 ▬ tirando

3rds in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
book

C major double-stopped exercise in As shown q = 80 ▬ tirando

6ths in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
book

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords

Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggio Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major & minor arpeggios

G major 2 octaves q = 65 ▬ tirando

E, B minor ▬ thumb and fingers

Broken Chords

Broken chords in the key of D major As shown e = 130 ▬ tirando

(IIm, V7, I), tirando, thumb and in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
fingers book

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 4

Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

D, A major 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

Minor scales

F# harmonic minor 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

C melodic minor 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

Chromatic scales

Chromatic scale starting on E 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Harmonised Scale

F major in 6ths 1 octave q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords

Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggio / Broken Chord Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major & minor arpeggios

D major 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando

F# minor, B minor ▬ thumb and fingers

Dominant 7 arpeggios

D dominant 7th 2 octaves q = 80 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Broken Chords

Broken chords in the key of C major e = 160 ▬ tirando

(I, V7, I) ▬ thumb and fingers

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 5

Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

E, B b major 2 octaves q = 96 ▬ One scale must be performed apoyando

▬ The other scale must be performed tirando
▬ fingers only

Minor scales

C harmonic minor 2 octaves q = 96 ▬ One scale must be performed apoyando

▬ The other scale must be performed tirando
G melodic minor ▬ fingers only

Chromatic scales

Starting on A 2 octaves q = 96 ▬ tirando

▬ fingers only

Harmonised scales

C major in 6ths As shown q = 96 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
A harmonic minor in 6ths book

G major in 10ths

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords

Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggio Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major & minor arpeggios

E, Bb major 2 octaves q = 96 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

C, G minor 2 octaves q = 96 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Broken Chords

Broken chords in the key of E minor as shown q = 96 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
book

G major broken chords as shown q = 96 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
book

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 6

Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major & minor scales

A b, Eb major 2 octaves q =112

▬ fingers only
C#, G# harmonic minor 2 octaves q =112 ▬ Three of the scales must be performed apoyando
C#, G# melodic minor ▬ Three of the scales must be performed tirando

Chromatic scale

Chromatic scale starting on C 2 octaves q = 112 ▬ tirando or apoyando (candidate choice)

▬ fingers only

Harmonised Scales

D major in 3rds 1 octave q = 112 ▬ tirando

F major in octaves ▬ thumb and fingers
E harmonic minor in 6ths

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords

Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggios & Broken Chords Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major & minor arpeggios

A b, E b major 2 octaves q = 112 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

C # minor, G # minor 2 octaves q = 112 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Dominant seventh arpeggio

B b dominant seventh arpeggio 2 octaves q = 112 ▬ tirando

▬ thumb and fingers

Broken Chords

Exercise 1: E minor As shown q = 112 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
Exercise 2: A major book

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 7

Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Major scales

Major scale, root 6, in the keys of 2 octaves q = 144

G, A b, A, B b and B major ▬ fingers only
▬ Five of the scales must be performed apoyando
Major scale, root 5, in the keys of 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ Five of the scales must be performed tirando
C, Db, D, Eb and E major

G major scale 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

▬ fingers only

Minor scales

Harmonic OR melodic minor 2 octaves q = 144

scales, root 6, in the keys of G, A b,
A, B b and B minor ▬ fingers only
▬ Five of the scales must be performed apoyando
Harmonic OR melodic minor 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ Five of the scales must be performed tirando
scales, root 5, in the keys of C, C #/
D b, D, D #/E b and E minor

G harmonic minor scale 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ One of the scales must be performed apoyando
G melodic minor scale ▬ The other scale must be performed tirando
▬ fingers only

Chromatic scale

Starting on E 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando or apoyando (examiner choice – candidates must

prepare for both technical requirements)
▬ fingers only

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords
Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggio Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Two-octave major & minor

arpeggios

Root 6 2 octaves q = 126 ▬ tirando

Starting notes: G, G #/Ab, A, A #/B b, B ▬ thumb and fingers

Root 5th
Starting notes: C, C #/D b, D, D #/Eb, E

Three-octave major & minor

arpeggios

Root 6th 3 octaves q = 126 ▬ tirando

Starting on G ▬ thumb and fingers

Two-octave diminished 7th &

dominant 7th arpeggios

Root 6th
Starting notes: G, G #/Ab, A, A #/B b, B ▬ tirando
▬ thumb and fingers
2 octaves q = 126
▬ For each starting note, candidates can perform one
Root 5th arpeggio type (diminished or dominant 7)
Starting notes: C, C #/D b, D, D #/Eb, E

Broken Chords

Exercise 1 in D major As shown q = 126 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
Exercise 2 in A minor book

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

GRADE 8

Group A: Scales
Candidates are to perform all of the following:

Scale Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Two-octave major scales

Major scale, root 6th, in the keys 2 octaves q = 144

of F#–B (chromatically) ▬ fingers only
▬ Six of the scales must be performed apoyando
Major scale, root 5th, in the keys 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ Six of the scales must be performed tirando
of B–E (chromatically)

Three-octave major scale

E major scale 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

▬ fingers only

Two-octave minor scales

Harmonic minor OR melodic minor 2 octaves q = 144

scales, root 6th, in the keys of ▬ fingers only
F#–B (chromatically) ▬ Candidates can choose to play either a harmonic or melodic
minor scale for each starting note
Harmonic OR melodic minor 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ Six of the scales must be performed apoyando
scales, root 5th, in the keys ▬ Six of the scales must be performed tirando
of B–E (chromatically)

Three-octave minor scales

E harmonic minor scale 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ One of the scales must be performed apoyando
E melodic minor scale ▬ The other scale must be performed tirando
▬ fingers only

Chromatic scale

Starting on G 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

▬ fingers only

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

Group B: Arpeggios & Broken Chords
Candidates are to perform all of the following, in even quavers. The arpeggios should be performed in even
quavers, without over-ringing. Broken chords must be played as shown in the grade book, with over-ringing
of notes.

Arpeggio Range Tempo Fingering requirements

Two-octave major & minor

arpeggios

Major OR minor arpeggio, root 6th, in 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

the keys of F #–B (chromatically) ▬ thumb and fingers
▬ Candidates can choose either a major or minor
Major OR minor arpeggio, root 5th, in 2 octaves q = 144 arpeggio for each starting note
the keys of B–E (chromatically)

Three-octave major & minor

arpeggios

Major OR minor arpeggio, root 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

6th, from the starting notes of E–G ▬ thumb and fingers
(chromatically) 3 octaves q = 144 ▬ Candidates can choose either a major or minor
arpeggio for each starting note

Two–octave Dominant 7 &

Diminished 7 arpeggios

Dominant 7 OR diminished 7 2 octaves q = 144 ▬ tirando

arpeggio, root 6th, starting notes of ▬ thumb and fingers
F #–B (chromatically) ▬ Candidates can choose either a diminished 7 or
dominant 7 arpeggio for each starting note
Dominant 7 OR diminished 7 2 octaves q = 144
arpeggio, root 5th, starting notes of
B–E (chromatically)

Broken Chords

Exercise 1: A minor As shown q = 70 ▬ tirando

in grade ▬ thumb and fingers
Exercise 2: A minor book

Group C: Technical Study

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES

REVISION HISTORY

15th September 2020

No revisions.

RSL CLASSICAL GUITAR SYLLABUS (2022) | GRADED CERTIFICATES