Rockschool Arrangements

Here you will find grade pieces from the Rockschool syllabus set out for group & band play. Grades 3, 5 & 8 are already the same for bass, drums & guitar but I have endeavoured to look at all the grade pieces, adding vocal lines, lead lines, bass lines, whatever is needed to make these pieces come alive for a young performing band or contemporary music ensemble. There is a lot or creativity here from the young musicians I work with as well as young professionals that work with me. They are are credited where appropriate for their input. Please acknowledge this work & Rockschool in any performances given.

Rockschool has kindly given permission for these additions to its works for educational use & performance ONLY!

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Very Important Note

It may say Debut or Grade 1 but dont think that its just for beginners. I have played the Debut pieces with high end players in bands & ensembles & all agree these songs are cracking good pieces & all have enjoyed playing them. Music is music is music.

Rockschool Guitar Debut

Lead guitar line taken broadly from the backing CD on Ruby. Debut Grade Guitar by Deidre Cartwright.

As written by Miss White of the Saturday Centre.

Bars 1 to 4 are intro. Repeat 1st time only. Play whole piece 3 times. 1 vocals, 2 guitar lead & 3 vocals. Conduct rit for end.

Rhythm Guitar line to the Debut Guitar piece by Alison Rayner.

This is written the same way as Ruby is written in the grade book. A rhythm or slash chart. This does not play on Scorch & is for reading only. 

Vocal backing line for bass & two guitars.

Piece starts with the Vocal backing line very quietly. Allow the vocals to really build & react to them. After second verse an 8 count drum fill is followed by the main lead guitar line as written in the Rockschool Debut Grade book. Heavy power chorded rhythm guitar & a strong lead line that can be played 8va if desired. Then drop back to the  quite vocal backing riff for another two verses, main book line then end on a rit.

Rockschool Guitar Grade 1