LEVEL I (TERM 1)

Core Curriculum Modules

Aural & Transcribing: An introduction to developing aural skills, both as an individual skill and in the practical application of transcribing

Harmony & Theory: An introduction to practical harmony and theory, such as diatonic harmony and scale/chord formation

Fretboard Skills: Builds solid foundations on the fretboard that will facilitate a thorough understanding of the instrument and its associated techniques

Keyboards: Provides the student with an introduction to the keyboard as a second instrument, supporting the music technology and songwriting modules

Music Technology: An introduction to the use of music technology, designed to equip students with the skills required to program and realise their own works and those of others

Complete Musician: An introduction to the all important skills required to function effectively in the contemporary music business – personal promotion (CV preparation, web based promo skills, networking etc), professional practice, project planning & realisation

Performance modules

Live Performance Workshop: Teaches guitarists to function effectively in a real-band environment. Alongside fellow students from the drum, bass and vocal faculties, a repertoire of songs are learned and performed covering three key styles; Blues, Soul and Rock

Rhythm Section Workshop: This module begins to investigate the critical role of the guitarist as part of the rhythm section, both analytically and practically. Essential styles are broken down, analysed and examples from each performed in a band environment.

Stylistic study modules

Rhythm Guitar: Covers a wide range of rhythm guitar styles, breaking each down into component parts

• Blues: Covers a wide variety of styles within the Blues idiom through study of some of the main stylistic innovators
• Rock: Covers a wide variety of styles within the Classic Rock idiom through study of some of the main stylistic innovators

Fingerstyle: Introduces and develops the fingerstyle technique, applicable to both acoustic and electric guitar

Sight reading: Introduces all of the concepts that will enable the guitarist to start reading basic standard notation

LEVEL II (TERM 2)

Core Curriculum Modules

Aural & Transcribing: Building upon Level I, this module adds more complex chordal structures and progressions Harmony & Theory: Further extends understanding of the fretboard & associated harmony, moving onto minor scales and their chordal constructions

Fretboard Skills: Extends fretboard knowledge and technique considerably, incorporating arpeggios and their use, and more advanced modes and minor scales

Songwriting: Covers the broad concepts and lays the foundations of the art of songwriting, encouraging students to explore their creative capabilities

Music Business: Provides students with a practical, coherent and solid overview of the main business practices currently used within the industry, focusing on issues such as music publishing, management, revenue streams and copyright protection

Performance Modules

Live Performance Workshop: This module teaches guitarists to function in a real-band environment. Alongside fellow students from the drum, bass and vocal faculties, you will learn and perform a repertoire of tunes, covering three key styles; Pop, Rock and World

Music Rhythm Section Workshop: Deepens understanding of the critical role of the guitarist as part of the rhythm section, both analytically and practically. Essential styles are broken down, analysed and examples from each performed in a band environment

Stylistic study modules

Rhythm Guitar: An advanced and in-depth look at a wider range of rhythm guitar styles

• Blues: This module builds upon previous learning, taking the skills acquired and developing them. Stylistically it incorporates more fusion and jazz styles
• Rock: Builds upon the studies undertaken previously, but introduces more technically demanding aspects. As rock guitar has developed over the past 30 years, the physical demands have increased steadily; this module charts the progress of the rock genre
• Country: Introduces and develops some of the more demanding techniques that the country guitarist has to acquire, such as banjo rolls, pedal steel imitation and hybrid picking

Improvisation: This module studies many of the concepts and skills involved in improvisation as applied in a wide range of stylistic settings

Sight reading: Builds on previous learning, incorporating reading in various keys and positions

LEVEL III (TERM 3)

Core Curriculum modules

Aural & Arranging: Focuses on complex chordal structures and progressions and introduces basic arranging for other band instruments

Harmony & Theory: Extends harmony and theory into areas of more complex jazz theory, supporting styles covered in performance

Fretboard Skills: Extends fretboard understanding in chords, scales and arpeggios to an advanced level

Studio Musician: Building on the Music Tech and Songwriting modules, students will further extend their creative potential by producing a professional standard recording of their original compositions

Performance modules

Live Performance Workshop: Teaches guitarists to function effectively in a real-band environment, where a repertoire of songs covering more advanced styles will be learned and performed

Advanced Performance Workshop: Involves learning a repertoire of advanced and esoteric instrumental styles, including fusion, country and contemporary rock. This module is where many of the aspects studied over the previous two levels are applied in a real band environment

Jazz: The practice and application of basic Jazz concepts through the study and performance of a selection of standard Jazz compositions

Stylistic Study modules

 Chord Melody: Covers the role of electric and acoustic guitar in a solo environment, incorporating solo arrangements of many classic jazz and popular tunes

Fusion: Introduces more demanding and contemporary techniques developed from the fusion of Jazz, Rock and Funk styles

Reading Studies: Further develops all of the concepts from the previous modules