RSL Classical Guitar Grade 4 (2022)

Overview

RSL Classical Guitar Grade 4 (2022) is designed for students moving into intermediate-level classical guitar playing. Building on the skills developed through Grade 3, the book introduces greater technical control, more complex rhythms, stronger coordination and broader musical expression.

It combines 10 benchmarked repertoire pieces with Technical Exercises, supporting tests, Fact Files, Walkthroughs and professionally recorded audio. The repertoire spans classical, contemporary classical, rock and popular music, giving students a broad and practical musical experience.

Key Features

• Official RSL Classical Guitar 2022 Grade 4 resource

• 10 benchmarked arrangements across contrasting styles

• Classical, contemporary, rock and popular repertoire

• Professionally recorded audio and backing tracks

• Composer and repertoire Fact Files

• Detailed Walkthroughs for each arrangement

• Technical Exercises covering scales, arpeggios and broken chords

• Technical Studies

• Sight Reading or Contemporary Improvisation & Interpretation

• Melodic and Harmonic Recall Ear Tests

• General Musicianship Questions

Featured Repertoire

The Grade 4 collection includes:

• Garden Steps – Andrew York

• West Coast – Helen Sanderson

• Alman – Robert Johnson

• Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

• Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers

• A Lament – Madame Sidney Pratten

• Sicilienne, Op. 78 – Gabriel Fauré

• Theme From ‘Star Wars’ – John Williams

• Amontillado – David Cottam

• Tango – Tatiana Stachak

The selection combines established classical repertoire with contemporary classical guitar writing and recognisable popular material, helping students develop stylistic flexibility alongside technical ability.

What Students Will Develop

Students will develop:

• Intermediate-level classical guitar technique

• Greater left- and right-hand coordination

• Two-octave scale fluency

• Chromatic scale control

• Harmonised scale technique

• Arpeggio fluency

• Broken-chord technique

• Improved rhythmic accuracy

• Greater control of tone and articulation

• Musical expression and phrasing

• Broader stylistic awareness

• Sight-reading or improvisation skills

• Melodic and harmonic aural recognition

• Greater musical independence

RSL describes Grade 4 candidates as having mastered the key skills through Grade 3 and developing greater technique, more complex rhythms, coordination, musical understanding, expression and stylistic awareness.

Technical Exercises

Group A – Scales

Students prepare:

• D Major – 2 octaves

• A Major – 2 octaves

• F♯ Harmonic Minor – 2 octaves

• C Melodic Minor – 2 octaves

• Chromatic Scale starting on E – 2 octaves

• F Major in 6ths – 1 octave

The requirements introduce more sophisticated right-hand control, including tirando, apoyando and thumb-and-finger combinations depending on the exercise. The minimum recommended tempo is ♩ = 80.

Group B – Arpeggios & Broken Chords

Students prepare:

• D Major Arpeggio – 2 octaves

• F♯ Minor Arpeggio – 2 octaves

• B Minor Arpeggio – 2 octaves

• D Dominant 7th Arpeggio – 2 octaves

• Broken Chords in C Major – I, V7, I

Arpeggios are performed using tirando with thumb-and-finger technique, while the broken-chord exercise develops harmonic movement and control of sustained notes.

Group C – Technical Study

Students choose one of three Technical Studies provided in the Grade 4 book.

Product Details

• Brand: RSL Awards / Rockschool

• Series: RSL Classical Guitar

• Instrument: Classical Guitar

• Level: Grade 4

• Syllabus: 2022

• Publisher: RSL Awards

• Publication Year: 2022

• Product Type: Graded Music Exam Book

• Includes: Performance repertoire, technical exercises and supporting tests

• Audio: Digital / downloadable audio and backing tracks