RGT exam resources

Below are some of the scale/chord requirements for some of the early and intermediate grades. As stated above all the information is in the handbook but some of my students find these PDFs useful to stick on the wall as a visual reminder. Also it gives more experienced players an idea of which grade they might wish to enter at, as you do not have to start at the bottom.

If you do intend taking an exam you first need to purchase the relevant grade handbook which contains all the information required and an official exam entry form.

At present I have only had time to do up to the later intermediate grade electric guitar exams, but will add higher grade and acoustic exams soon.

Each grade is listed, and you need to know ALL the scales, chords and arpeggios, at the particular grade you intend to sit. However, even if you do not intend to take a grade, this is a structured, progressive method of learning.

  • preliminary grade scales
    Aim for accuracy and clarity not speed.
  • preliminary grade chords
    Print these and put them on the wall, it might make them easier to learn.
  • grade 1 scales
    These are 2 octave scales. Try to learn the names of the notes not just the 'shape'.
  • grade 1 chords
    These are in addition to those required for the preliminary grade.
  • grade 2 chords
    Again in addition to the previous grade. There are some partial barre chords here as well.
  • Grade 2 Scales
    These are the scales required for the grade 2 electric guitar exam. I have shown them in a fingerboard diagram. This is because if you are at this level, scale shapes are 'transpositional'. This means you can learn a scale 'shape' and move it to any key, depending on which fret you start the 'shape' on.
  • Grade 3 E-shape barre chords
    These chords are required from any root note for grade 3 electric and grade 5 acoustic guitar grades.
  • Grade 3 A-shape barre chords
    These chords are also required from any root note for grade 3 electric and grade 5 acoustic guitar grades.
  • grade 3 arpeggios
    These arpeggios are the required arpeggios for the grade 3 electric guitar exam, in all keys.
  • grade 4 guitar chords
    These are the chords required for the grade 4 electric guitar exam. In addition to those required for grade 3.
  • grade 4 arpeggios
    These are the arpeggios required for the grade 4 electric guitar exam, in all keys.
  • grade 4 scales
    These are the scales required for the grade 4 electric guitar exam. They are required in 2 fingerboard positions at the same pitch, so you need to learn the grade 3 scales first.
  • grade 5 The Blues Scale in 5 Positions
    The blues scale is required in 5 fingerboard positions, over one octave, in all keys. All the scales should be in the same octave, so the root notes have to be on either the D and G strings in order to achieve this.
  • Grade 5 The minor pentatonic scale 5 positions
    The minor pentatonic scale is required in 5 fingerboard positions, over one octave, in all keys. All the scales should be in the same octave, so the root notes have to be on either the D and G strings in order to achieve this.
  • Grade 5 The Major Scale 1 Octave in 3 Positions
    The major scale is required in 3 different fingerboard positions, over one octave, in all keys
  • Grade 5 The major pentatonic 2 octaves 3 positions
    The major pentatonic scale is required in 3 fingerboard positions, over two octaves, in all keys.
  • Grade 5 The Harmonic Minor Scale 2 Octaves
    This scale is required over 2 octaves, in all keys.
  • Grade 5 Minor Pentatonic Scale In 5ths
    This is a harmonised scale, and is required over one octave, in all keys.
  • Grade 5 Minor 7th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 5 Major 7th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 5 Dominant 7th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 5 Suspended 4th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 5 Major 6th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn
  • Grade 5 Minor 6th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 5 Major 6th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
  • Grade 5 Minor 6th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
  • Grade 5 Suspended 4th Chords
    These chords, known as 'sus 4 chords' are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Natural Minor Scale 1 Octave 5 Positions
    The natural minor scale is required in 5 fingerboard positions, over one octave, in all keys. All the scales should be in the same octave, so the root notes have to be on either the D and G strings in order to achieve this.
  • Grade 6 The Major Scale 1 Octave 5 Positions
    The major scale is required in 5 fingerboard positions, over one octave, in all keys. All the scales should be in the same octave, so the root notes have to be on either the D and G strings in order to achieve this
  • Grade 6 The Dorian Mode 2 Octaves
    Also known as the Dorian Modal Scale, or the 2nd mode of the major scale, is required over 2 octaves in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Mixolydian Mode 2 Octaves
    Also known as the Mixolydian Modal Scale, or the 5th mode of the major scale, is required over 2 octaves in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Chromatic Scale 2 Octaves
    The chromatic scale is required over 2 octaves in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Major Scale In 8th's 1 Octave
    This is a harmonised scale, (playing 2 notes at the same time).It is required over 1 octave in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Minor Pentatonic Scale In 8th's 1 Octave
    This is a harmonised scale, (playing 2 notes at the same time).It is required over 1 octave in all keys.
  • Grade 6 The Major Scale in 3rd's 1 Octave
    This is a harmonised scale, (playing 2 notes at the same time).It is required over 1 octave in all keys.
  • Grade 6 Augmented 5th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 6 Diminished 7th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 6 Minor 9th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 6 Dominant 9th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 6 Major 9th Arpeggio 1 Octave
    These arpeggios are required over one octave, in 2 different fingerboard positions, in the same octave. I've colour coded the notes to make them easier to learn.
  • Grade 6 Augmented 5th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keysWhen writen in chord charts, these chords are abreviated with a plus sign. e.g. C+, D+ etc.
  • Grade 6 Diminished 7th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys. When writen in chord charts, these chords are abreviated with a small zero sign. e.g. Co, Do etc.
  • Grade 6 Dominant 9th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
  • Grade 6 Minor 9th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
  • Grade 6 Major 9th Chords
    These chords are required in 2 different fingerboard positions, in all keys.
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