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Rockschool

Rockschool is a vibrant, contemporary music program of exams and qualifications for electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, vocals, piano, keys, ukulele, popular music theory and music production.

These syllabuses are designed to support the development of the contemporary musician as a whole and covers many genres including indie, metal, pop, and more.

Rockschool exams are available for individual Candidates in two exam formats, both of which can be taken face-to-face or via Video Exam:

  • Grade Exam - like the Classical "Comprehensive" exam, this includes pieces, technical exercises, ear tests etc.
  • Performance Certificate - just the "Repertoire" with no technical exercises or discussion.
  • Video Graded Certificate - the Recorded Exam version of the Grade Exam with adapted Technical exercises.
  • Video Performance Certificate - the Recorded Exam option for the Performance Certificate.

These qualifications are recognised globally with tens of thousands of exams conducted in the UK and over 40 countries around the world. These syllabuses are delivered by AMEB through our partnership with RSL Awards. Based in the UK, the Rockschool brand specialises in music of the most popular genres in a range of contemporary styles.

The syllabus provides a framework for the progressive development of a wide range of musical and technical skills, over a series of grades and diplomas from beginner to expert level.

Practical
Choose your weapon! Jam with your band or go it solo - backing tracks are included with the books and you have tonnes of flexibility to find the music that you love most with Free Choice Pieces. To help you get the most out of your pieces, technical, aural and sight-reading skills are also developed in a sequential way. Performance pieces are focused on the most popular contemporary genres and selected by experts to suit the needs of students at their particular stage of development.

Popular Music Theory
This Theory Syllabus underpins all practical syllabuses and present the nuts and bolts of music to develop the musician as a whole.  Learn about the notes and tabs that might be used in a recording studio, and even how other instruments work so that you will know your way around the band room. Exams can be taken online at any time! Please note that our AMEB Federal team administer these exams so please head to our AMEB Rockschool website to find out more and enrol.

Music Production
This syllabus is a world first and is the benchmark for music producers. You'll learn the key elements needed to succeed in this industry - practical, theory, and aural skills. From an introduction to fundamentals and terms, all the way through to creating your own tracks and industry-focussed tasks, the exams progress in a stages to support your development. Exams can be taken online at any time! Please note that our AMEB Federal team administer these exams so please head to our AMEB Rockschool website to find out more and enrol.

Associate Award in Performance
These two exams (Level 4 and Level 6) are designed to take the performer beyond Grade 8. They're purely performance-based, can be taken any time, and come complete with postnominals to add to your professional profile.

Professional Diplomas
Rockschool Diplomas are rigorous qualifications designed for contemporary professionals, focussing on career development and business acumen, rather than practical development. There are three pathway focusses to choose from: Performance, Teaching, or Creative Enterprise (see below). Modules are flexible and portfolios are submitted online, in the Candidate's own time, providing a bespoke learning environment. And there are no pre-requisites! You'll cover a few core subjects and then have your pick of heaps of optional units that will help you in your career journey. Please note that our AMEB Federal team administer these exams so please head to our AMEB Rockschool website to find out more and enrol. Teaching streams are available for candidates 18 years and older only.

Creative Enterprise
This Diploma stream focusses on the business side of creative life. You'll learn how to market yourself as a creative, how to build strong collaborations with other artists, and the skills needed as an entrepreneur. Please see above information about Rockschool Diplomas.

Rockschool Band
These ensemble exams are no longer available however live accompaniment is now permitted in Rockschool exams so bring your band to back you up!

Find out more
AMEB Tasmania provides Rockschool exams but our national AMEB Rockschool website is a fantastic resource - it includes free downloadable syllabuses, advice on Free Choice Pieces, Video Exam Technical Exercises, plenty more information, and feature stories from our Rockschool Ambassadors. Head to our dedicated AMEB Rockschool website to find out more, download a syllabus, or enrol for one of the anytime exams. We also have some handy advice to help you prepare for your exam on our Helpful Hints page.

Please note that reports and certificates will take a little longer to get to you as compared with other AMEB timelines. This is due to the moderation process (via the UK) to adhere with the international qualification requirements of these awards.