Rockschool (RSL Awards) Acoustic Guitar

Rockschool Acoustic guitar grades

RSL launched a brand new Acoustic Guitar syllabus for 2026 and I have the whole thing ready to go, Debut through to Grade 8. The technical requirements are unchanged — it is the repertoire that has been refreshed, with nine tracks per grade (six hit tunes plus three exclusive Rockschool Originals) spanning country, folk, gospel, Latin, pop, reggae and rock. It is built for steel-string acoustic players: strumming, fingerstyle, capo work, travis picking, harmonics and body percussion. As with the electric syllabus, the Performance Certificate comes first for most students, with the full Graded exam as the next step up.

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Performance Certificate

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All playing, no supporting tests — the route I recommend first

Five acoustic pieces performed straight through to backing tracks, with no scales, ear tests or questions. Ideal for students who love playing songs and want a qualification without exam-room extras.

Graded exam

The full acoustic syllabus — performance plus technical work

Three pieces plus technical exercises, a supporting test and ear tests. The route that builds strumming, fingerstyle and reading fastest, with UCAS points at Grades 6 to 8.

Run as digital exams by default, recorded in the lesson and submitted to RSL, with in-person exams available on request.