Reviews: Orange Learn Rock Guitar exam books

Orange Learn was offering online music exams pre-pandemic, so, although this is a fresh syllabus, it builds upon the three-tier exam system that I reviewed and summarised previously in Music Teacher. This seemed a surprise at the time: Orange Learn has been a distinctive and instantly recognisable amplifier brand for decades, but many of us did not expect to see a manufacturer present a serious syllabus to learners of the guitar (and Orange Learn has now extended this range). Offered in conjunction with ICMP and Online Music Exams, elements of the syllabus will be familiar to most teachers, while other features include slightly (but excitingly) different details and approaches. This review is based upon the (reasonably priced) digital versions of the books where the clear presentation is of good quality.

The teacher can be in the exam with their pupil to offer moral support and as page-turner (no more than this). The exams may be taken at any time, any day and are booked by creating an account with Online Music Exams and booking online.

Sections and elements

The exams contain three performance sections. The first is technical; the second, a choice of a formal solo extract; and the third, a whole song or piece, again with options. Backing-tracks are available from Orange Learn's website. To the chords and scales section, arpeggios are added at higher grades along with the excellent idea of showing the chords in context with a rhythm chart to learn. Aural tests focus upon pitch (melody for earlier grades, harmony for the more advanced) and rhythm, mostly on a recall/repeat basis. Sight-reading tests are not in every board's rock syllabus, so it is refreshing to see this important aspect here under the 'Musicianship' moniker right from the very first pre-Grade (Debut) exam. These are in both clef and tablature (TAB) notation, so the candidate can use either or – as some rock players prefer – combine the two, which recognises the advantages (and disadvantages) in both systems. A multiple-choice theory quiz completes each exam.

Marking

Distinction sits at a fairly standard 85 per cent mark, while a merit can be obtained with marks from 71 to 84, and a pass is 50 to 70. In some ways these exams are more rigorous than those where, for some sections, an examiner chooses a selection from what has been learned; here, everything is tested, which is perhaps a more satisfying experience for a hard-working student. Performance, the main element, is marked out of 55 (20, 15 and 20 respectively for the three performance sections). Scales are out of 15 marks, and aural, sight-reading and theory each have 10. This weighting is similar to that found in most music exams.

Details

The layout is clear, the music printing unfussy (TAB in particular is good on the eye), and the level of detail is about right. Neat graphics of an orange head front-panel give amp setting ideas throughout each book. While not mandatory, this is useful, relevant and fun.

Technical performances begin with strumming and muting for Debut level. There is a typo in the Debut book (labelling this as grade one at the end) which will be corrected on the next printing. Techniques range through various articulations such as slurs and slides to tapping (at Grade 6) and beyond. Such technical armoury allows an aspiring player to become a rock shredder. Solos are chosen mainly from well-known songs and possess pleasingly melodic characteristics (requiring finely-tuned skills as the grades progress) rather than mindless virtuosity. Songs are specially written for the Debut set, then selected from decades of rock across various idioms from punk to prog, including the Beatles, Nirvana, Pixies and Vampire Weekend. The syllabus also allows some free choice (within established guidelines that can be found on the website).

Partial scales are a nice touch at Debut level, while modes inevitably crop up later, providing learners with a fuller toolbox. As with other exam syllabuses, Grade 8 chords extend to 13ths. The aural tests reflect a useful development in that simple, relative pitch recognition and basic rhythmic skills move to more advanced melodic repetition (involving keen memory) and an ability to evaluate and replicate harmonic progressions. Musicianship develops sight-reading at higher levels, expecting an aptitude for competent improvisation. Theory quizzes relate to the knowledge explored and learned in all previous sections.

Unlike most exams, Orange Learn's modular approach means that candidates do not have to complete all sections in one sitting. A comprehensive view of specifications, marking schemes, grade contents and a wealth of other information for teachers, pupils and parents can be found at orangelearn.com/syllabi where this is well presented and indexed.