A brand new Acoustic Guitar Syllabus is now available

We are excited to announce the launch our Acoustic Guitar 2020-2023 Syllabus, which can be used for exams from 1 January 2020.

This syllabus reinvents the previous Plectrum Guitar exams, recognising the importance of the acoustic guitar in today’s music. We’ve kept the most popular plectrum guitar pieces but added a much wider range of styles and technical work. This ensures that guitarists develop the blend of fingerstyle and plectrum technique they need to play the music they know and love.

Styles

This syllabus bridges the gap between classical and electric guitar incorporating folk, acoustic, rock and pop, jazz, blues and country styles. Explore pieces by Ed Sheeran, Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin alongside Django Reinhardt and Chet Atkins - all available in both standard notation and TAB.

Techniques

The technical work is relevant to a range of popular music styles as it includes chord patterns and progressions, jazz scales, blues scales and modes, in addition to standard scales and arpeggios.

Books and backing tracks

Backing tracks recorded by professional session players allow guitarists to learn crucial ensemble skills by practising as part of a band. There are three books available – for Initial-Grade 2, Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8 – which contain a wide range of styles, allowing candidates to follow distinct stylistic pathways as they progress.

Pro-skills

Developed by professional guitarists, our support resources show you what an exam is like, explore professional technique and look at where our exams can take you. You can access videos and articles produced with professionals to support teaching and learning at www.trinitycollege.com/acoustic-guitar-resources. Join us online and on Facebook to find out when new resources are available.

The Guitar Syllabus 2016-2019 will remain valid until 31 December 2020, giving a one year overlap. During this time, candidates may enter for exams using the Acoustic Guitar Syllabus 2020-2023 or the plectrum guitar section of the Guitar Syllabus 2016-2019, but not a mixture of both.

For more information please see www.trinitycollege.com/acoustic-guitar.