New Electric Guitar Performance Diplomas
RGT’s new series of electric guitar Performance Diplomas enables you to offer your students the opportunity to study for a range of accredited post-Grade 8 qualifications in electric guitar playing.
Four Performance Diplomas are now available: DipLCM, ALCM, LLCM and FLCM (equivalent to Masters Degree on the National Qualifications Framework). Passing each Diploma would legally entitle your students to append the appropriate letters to their name – providing a great motivational tool for them to continue to study with you (rather than stop after Grade 8) and to develop their playing to their full potential.
The new Diplomas have been developed in conjunction with London College of Music Exams and the qualifications are awarded by Thames Valley University, accredited by Ofqual and recognised by the DCSF, and have been placed on the National Qualifications Framework.
Exam Content
These Diplomas have been designed with the skills and requirements of rock, pop and blues guitarists in mind. (A separate series of specialist ‘Jazz Guitar’ 
Performance Diplomas are planned for release in 2010.) The new Diplomas provide a structured approach that will educate and develop electric guitar players and enable them to achieve their playing aspirations.
There are three handbooks available for these Diplomas: one for DipLCM, one for ALCM and one that incorporates both the LLCM in detail and a summary of the FLCM requirements.
Each handbook contains the notation required for all the prepared components of the exam as well as examples of what to expect for the improvisation and reading components. In addition, each handbook contains a CD that provides backing tracks that the candidate will need to undertake the exam, plus audio examples to indicate the standard of playing expected. The handbooks are available from music stores or online at www.BooksForGuitar.com.
DipLCM
- Technical study. The handbook contains the notation for three technical studies that are based on a combination of widely used scales, arpeggios and chords. Candidates need to select and perform one of these studies in the exam, reproducing it exactly as it is presented in both the notation and the CD.
- Prepared Performance I – Melodic Improvisation. For this component the candidate has to perform the main guitar theme from one of the classic rock/blues tunes listed below, and then develop and interpret the guitar theme in a musically creative way. All of this is done to a backing track that is included on the CD. The tracks are: Black Magic Woman (Carlos Santana version), Still Got The Blues (Gary Moore) and Surfing With The Alien (Joe Satriani).
- Prepared Performance II – Rhythm Playing. Candidates should select a backing track from the CD and perform a rhythm part over it. The rhythm playing should be musically creative as well as being in keeping with the musical style of the backing track. The backing track styles include funk, rhythm and blues and metal-rock. The CD also features an example track with a rhythm guitar part recorded to indicate the standard of playing expected.
- Lead Improvisation. Candidates are presented with a previously unseen chord progression that is then played by the examiner. Candidates should then improvise a lead solo over the progression. The handbook contains examples of the type of chord progression that will be presented; as this is an electric guitar diploma that is aimed at rock and pop guitarists, the progression will be typical of that encountered in the rock, pop or blues genres – i.e. the progression will be diatonic and may superficially look like the type of lead chart you might expect to find at Grade 3 or 4. The challenge here is for the performer to bring interest, creativity and energy to the performance through the use of a range of lead playing techniques and mature stylistic interpretation.
- Rhythm Improvisation. Candidates are presented with a
previously unseen chord progression and should then play the chords improvising a rhythm part. There are example progressions in the handbook and on the CD. These may at first appear relatively straightforward (with some of the more jazzy chords featured in the RGT grades 7-8 omitted), but candidates are expected to bring the chord progression alive through a musically varied, inventive and mature performance, including deciding their own use of embellishments and extensions to the written chords. The CD contains an example track to indicate the standard of playing expected for this section.
ALCM
- Technical Study. As with DipLCM, candidates need to select and perform one of the three studies that are notated in the handbook, reproducing it exactly as it is presented in the notation and on the CD. The ALCM studies are more complex in terms of structure and content compared to the DipLCM and focus on techniques such as string bending, legato, vibrato and slides.
- Prepared Performance I – Melodic Improvisation. The format of this section is similar to DipLCM, with the track choice this time being Need Your Love So Bad (Peter Green), Shine On You Crazy Diamond Part 1 (Pink Floyd) or For The Love Of God (Steve Vai). Candidates should demonstrate a level of technical proficiency and musicianship beyond that expected at DipLCM level.
- Prepared Performance II – Rhythm Playing. The format of this section is also similar to DipLCM but with the backing track styles including slow blues, rock and funk. Candidates should demonstrate a level of technical accomplishment beyond that expected at DipLCM level. An example track has again been included on the CD to indicate the standard of playing expected.
Lead Improvisation. As with DipLCM, candidates should improvise a lead solo over a previously unseen chord progression. At ALCM the chord progression will be predominantly diatonic but may contain up to two bars with non-diatonic chords. The challenge is for the candidate to bring interest and energy to the performance whilst demonstrating a level of technical proficiency and musicianship beyond that expected at DipLCM level.- Rhythm Improvisation. This section requires the candidate to play the chords from a previously unseen chord progression, improvising a rhythm part. The range of chords presented will be broader and more complex than at DipLCM level. The chart will also be presented without any dynamic markings as candidates are expected to incorporate a range of dynamics as part of their interpretation of the chord progression. As well as example chord progressions in the handbook, the CD contains an example track to indicate the standard of playing that is expected at this level.
- Chart Reading. Candidates are presented with a previously unseen chord chart with a notated rhythm part. Both the chords and rhythm should be reproduced accurately after three minutes preparation. Examples are included in both the handbook and on the CD.
LLCM
- Technical Study. There is a choice of three studies that include techniques such as string bends, slides, slurs, harmonics, tapping, sweep-picking etc. Although these are studies that have been written to assess the candidates’ accuracy, fluency and control of the instrument, they have also been carefully composed to reflect a range of contemporary music styles.
- Prepared Performance. Candidates should perform an instrumental piece of their choice to a backing track that they have prepared. The piece can be self-composed if preferred, and should last between three and six minutes. The handbook lists some pieces to indicate the standard of performance expected at this level; this list includes Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers (Jeff Beck), Room 335 (Larry Carlton), Tumeni Notes (Steve Morse) and The Crusade (Trivium).
Lead Improvisation. Candidates are presented with a previously unseen chord progression to improvise a lead solo over. The lead charts will include some non-diatonic chords and temporary changes of key. See example.- Rhythm Improvisation. Candidates are presented with a previously unseen chord progression to follow whilst improvising a rhythm part. The range of chords will be broader than at ALCM level and candidates are required to demonstrate a proficient and mature approach to playing that is beyond that expected at ALCM level.
- Chart Reading. Candidates should play a previously unseen chart that contains chord symbols with a notated rhythm part as well as some single-line melodic parts in standard notation. Five minutes preparation time is permitted.
FLCM
- Prepared Performance. Candidates should perform a varied programme of music of approximately 45 minutes duration. The programme can contain self-composed and/or existing pieces. Up to 25% of the total performance may consist of solo unaccompanied pieces, the rest should be performed either over backing tracks that the candidate supplies or with one or more accompanists (e.g. a backing band) supplied by the candidate. This is the highest Diploma LCM Exams offers and has been placed on the National Qualifications Framework at Master’s Degree level, candidates are, therefore, expected to demonstrate a level of playing ability of the highest professional standard. The handbook lists some pieces to indicate the standard of performance expected; these include Cliffs Of Dover (Eric Johnson), Die To Live (Steve Vai), Hot Wired (Brent Mason) and Erotomania (Dream Theater).
- Programme Notes. Candidates should supply original programme notes of 1,000 -1,500 words that provide an in-depth harmonic and melodic analysis of the music performed.
Electric Guitar Teaching Diplomas – amended entry requirements
RGT also offers a full range of electric guitar Teaching Diplomas that enable electric guitar teachers to gain a professional teaching qualification. The entry requirements for these Diplomas have recently been amended to enable experienced guitar teachers to enter directly for the higher-level Diplomas. In addition, for those who do not hold Grade 5 theory or equivalent, a pass in electric guitar playing at Grade 8 is now accepted as the entry requirement for the DipLCM(TD). For more information download the revised Electric Guitar Teaching Diploma Information Booklet at the RGT website.
