By Rhys Lett

Grade 3 ANZCA Guitar Exam

This grade level sees a larger amount of material to be learned. Students need to maintain their skills learned in previous exams as many of the chords are resisted. This level introduces barre chords in the Technical work. Here is the required information students need to cover in preparing for the Grade 3 ANZCA Guitar exam.

Technical Work – Grade 3 – 20 marks

Scales – C major and D major from 5^th string, G major and A Major from 6^th string, E major open position, E and G harmonic minor open position, A minor pentatonic played as alternate or double picking. To learn these scales watch our video tutorials below.

Chords – C, G, D, A, E, F, G7, D7, A7, E7, Am, Em, Dm, B7, C7, G barre chord 6^th string, G7 barre chord from 6^th string, Gm barre chord, transpose barre chords to F and A positions. To learn these chords watch our tutorial videos below.

Arpeggios – C and D Major from 5^th string, G and A major from 6^th string, E major, E minor G minor.

Turnaround Progression – three rhythm patterns based on Rock, Swing and Latin strumming styles.

Songs – Grade 3 – 18 marks each

List A – Big Pop Gun.

List B – Morning Has Broken.

List C – Kon Tiki.

Sight Reading – Grade 3 – 10 marks

The passage will be eight bars in length, 4/4 or ¾ time, key of C, G, F major or A and D minor.

General Knowledge – Grade 3 – 8 marks

• Knowledge of all notes, rests and markings seen in the songs played.
• Function of a dot after the note.
• Name of composer of tune if indicated.
• Full description of time signatures.
• Knowledge of the key of each piece.
• Knowledge of the metronome speed if indicated.
• Knowledge of notes on 5^th fret from low strings to high.

Aural Test – Grade 3 – 8 marks

• Clap a 4 bar rhythm pattern in 4/4 or 6/8 time.
• Examiner plays a 4 bar passage, student claps the rhythm in 4/4, ¾, 2/4 or 6/8.
• Student states the interval of major 2^nd, minor 3^rd, major 3^rd, perfect 4^th, perfect 5^th , major 6^th, major 7^th or octave played by examiner.
• Student states whether examiner plays a major or minor arpeggio.