The Royal Conservatory of Music Guitar Series: An Overview - The Royal Conservatory of Music Guitar Series: An Overview Part 2

Guitar Technique

Whereas the Repertoire and Studies series contains the relevant repertoire for each level of exams, the Guitar Technique book contains all of the corresponding technical requirements for each of the exams.  The book is divided into three sections, Accent and Fingering Patterns, Technical Requirements by Grade and a Technical Supplement.

The Accent and Fingering section contains all of the possible right hand fingering patterns and accents for playing scales in eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, quintuplets and sextuplets.  The fingerings are all written above a C major scale for easy comprehension and the grade(s) that require each of these fingerings are written alongside the scales.  This section acts as a reference tool for teachers and students that they can refer to when studying each of the scales that are presented in the next section, Technical Requirements by Grade.

The second section is broken up into each of the grade levels, from Introductory through the ARCT.  Each grade is broken into several sections that present the scales (diatonic, chromatic, slur, compound and tremelando) and arpeggios (mostly drawn from Giuliani’s Right Hand Studies) required for each exam. As well as giving left hand fingering suggestions for each scale and arpeggio, the book also indicates the minimum metronome marking that each exercise must be played in order to pass each exam.  As each grade progresses the keys for each scale become more difficult and the scales become extended from one to two and finally three octaves.  As well, when a major scale is required for an exam, so is its relative harmonic minor and melodic minor scale.  This helps to teach major/minor key relationships as well as build a students technical ability. 

The final section of the book is a technical supplement that can be used by students to further their study.  Though the techniques presented in this section are not required for RCM examinations, they are considered required learning for any classical guitar student of merit.  This section gives fingerings for chromatic scales, compound slur scales, trill exercises and other technical exercises of similar nature.  

Guitar Syllabus

The RCM guitar series also publishes a thorough and easy to understand guitar syllabus outlining all of the requirements for their exams, Introductory through the ARCT.  The syllabus is broken down into five sections, General Information, Examination Requirements, Practical Examinations, Theory Examinations and Bibliography. 

The General Information section provides information on the application procedures, examination schedules, certificates and diplomas and other relevant administrative topics.  This section will be well used by teachers and students who are using the series to take the graded examinations, as the wealth of information contained within will answer any questions one may have with regard to the administrative side of the RCM guitar area.

While the first section provides the teacher and student with administrative information, the Examination Requirements section provides detailed information regarding the exams themselves.  There is a detailed section on how exams are graded and what the student needs to do in order to achieve a certain grade on each exam.  Technical information such as Da Capo’s and repeats are discussed in this section, as well as information on substituting repertoire and etudes that were not included in the written requirements for each exam.

The bulk of the information contained within this volume can be found in the Practical Examinations section.  The technical requirements, repertoire and musicianship (ear training and sight reading) requirements for each grade are laid out in a clear and concise fashion, allowing for easy reference by both teacher and student.  While many of the pieces required for each grade can be found in the Repertoire and Studies series, there are also many optional pieces listed here that may be substituted on any of the performance exams.

The final two sections, Theory Examinations and Bibliography, present a detailed outline of the requirements for the theory exams that accompany each performance exam, as well as a list of books that can be used to study for these exams.  The bibliography also contains lists of ear training books, guitar anthologies and editions that will help students and teachers find pieces that are required for the grades 9 through the ARCT exams, for which there are no Repertoire and Studies books available. 

While the RCM Guitar Series was originally designed for students who are preparing to take their exams, it can be a valuable resource for any guitar student or teacher.  The organizational nature of the series, matching appropriate repertoire with technical requirements, and the quick access to a variety of pieces and etudes can be an aid to any student or teacher when studying the instrument.  As a classical guitar resource this series stands out for its clear and concise presentation, variety of music and techniques, and the manner in which each grade has been organized.  This series would make a welcome addition to any classical guitar teacher, or students, pedagogical resources.