Trinity College London Classical Guitar

Trinity Classical guitar grades

Trinity classical guitar exams focus on tone, technique and musicianship on the nylon-string guitar. Students perform three pieces from a broad syllabus spanning Renaissance lute music to contemporary composers, alongside technical work and a supporting test of their choosing.

Trinity exams are taken digitally by default — recorded and submitted online — with in-person exams arranged for students who prefer them.

Trinity Classical Initial guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Initial

A gentle first exam — short pieces in first position with free strokes.

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Trinity Classical Grade 1 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 1

Simple melodies with an accompaniment, and a first look at rest stroke.

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Trinity Classical Grade 2 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 2

Two-part textures and the first half-barre shapes.

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Trinity Classical Grade 3 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 3

Position shifts and genuine independence between melody and bass.

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Trinity Classical Grade 4 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 4

Repertoire from the Renaissance through to the twentieth century.

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Trinity Classical Grade 5 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 5

A significant milestone with substantial classical repertoire.

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Trinity Classical Grade 6 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 6

Concert repertoire with real interpretive demands.

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Trinity Classical Grade 7 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 7

Demanding works requiring stamina, memory and stagecraft.

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Trinity Classical Grade 8 guitar exam book coverTrinity Classical

Grade 8

Diploma-preparation level — the summit of the graded syllabus.

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