AMEB Classical Guitar Exams

The AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) is a body that is dedicated to the evaluation and examination of students of the performing arts including speech, drama and music, and is linked to major Australian universities as well as the Ministry of Education.

The AMEB offers a wide range of examinable subjects and the classical guitar is one of these.

If you are weighing up whether you or your child should do the AMEB classical guitar exam, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of what the exam consists of, how it is structured, and how much preparation is involved for a successful outcome.

Rule School of Guitar offers students the opportunity to prepare and confidently do the AMEB classical guitar exam at the appropriate grade.

Obviously, the best way to make sure you do well is to be well prepared. As the old saying goes: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. If a classic guitar student practices consistently and diligently, then the path to a successful exam result is pretty much secured.

AMEB Exam Structure

The AMEB Classical Guitar syllabus is divided into the three levels, namely:

• Level 1 (Preliminary to Fourth Grade),
• Level 2 (Fifth Grade to Eighth Grade and then Certificate of Performance)
• Level 3 (Associate Diploma AMusA and Licenciate LMusA).

At each level the syllabus aims to promote the technical and musical development of the candidates, provide a standard of achievement , and finally to engage and inspire candidates in their further study of the classical guitar.

Taking The AMEB Classical Guitar Exam

Most of the graded exams follow a similar structure, but obviously each grade gets more challenging and more is expected from the candidate. The exam will be divided into sections, namely:

• Technical Work
• Set Repertoire Pieces
• Sight Reading
• Aural Tests
• General Knowledge
• Extra List Works

The Technical Work section consists of scales, arpeggios and other technical exercises. This is an important part of the exam, as technical proficiency on any instrument will help develop the potential for musical development and expression. The scales and arpeggios need to be played from memory, while the technical exercises may be played with the music in front of the candidate.

The pieces are elected by the candidate and/or the teacher and at least one needs to be played form each list in the grade. Some grades have 3 lists, A, B and C, while some of the later grades have four lists, A, B, C and D. The repertoire list is carefully selected by an expert panel to ensure that in choosing one piece form each list, a candidate gets to learn and play a wide range of styles and genres.

The extra list works ensure an even broader selection of pieces is played in preparing for the exam, trying to discourage the idea that learning three pieces per grade is all that is required. The extra list pieces broaden the scope and ensure a fair amount of playing has been done in preparation fo the exam.

Sight reading is one of the most important skills a music student can learn, and in recent years guitar teachers and students have been working hard to try and disprove the idea that guitarists are poor sight readers. There is an old joke that goes: “How do you get a guitarist to stop playing?” – “Put sheet music in front of him!” Funny, but too often true. Let’s all get into the habit of sight reading often and confidently, and start changing the perception out there.

How Long Do You Need To Prepare For?

On average it takes a year of consistent practice to prepare for a grade exam. At around Grade 7 and beyond it can take up to two years for each exam… So for an average student the road from Preliminary to LMusA could potentially take up to 17 years! Wow!!

Are Music Exams For You?

Doing music exams is not the only route a classical guitarist can take to become a fabulously advanced player. What the AMEB exams do offer however is a structure with set goals and guidelines to help student achieve their musical goals. If you are a person who does well with the organisational approach, then you may enjoy the AMEB road, while for those who just want to learn in their “own time” you may choose not to go down that road. Younger students may also feel intimidated by the idea of having to play in front of strangers, and get too anxious about it.

At the end of the day the AMEB exam is a tool in realising your classical guitar aspirations. Don’t be initimidated in doing it – if for anything else, it is an incredible learning experience. Prepare well with lots of time management and you’ll ace that exam. Good luck!

Buy the Books from the AMEB Online Store Here

Classical Guitar Technical Work
Classical Guitar Book Series 2 – Grade Books