ACOUSTIC GUITAR

SAMPLE BOOKLET
A selection of pieces and technical work
for Trinity College London exams
2020–2023

PELLS
WALKER
MORANDELL
DAWES

NOT FOR SALE

Contents
Trinity’s Acoustic Guitar Syllabus 2020–2023 2
Recognition and UCAS points 2
Contributors 3
The exam at a glance 4
About the exam 4
Exam structure and mark scheme 5
Acoustic guitar exam books 6
Pieces 6
Support publications 7
Scales, Arpeggios & Studies 7
Sample pieces — About the pieces 8
Sample pieces 9
Grade 1 9
Grade 2 10
Grade 3 (extract) 12
Grade 5 (extract) 14
Grade 7 (extract) 16
Sample technical work 18
Scales 18
Chord progressions and cadences 19
Acoustic guitar resources 20
Contact us 20
Stay up to date 20

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Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Trinity’s Acoustic Guitar Syllabus 2020–2023

The Acoustic Guitar syllabus reinvents the Plectrum Guitar exams, recognising the importance of
the acoustic guitar in today’s music. We’ve kept the most popular plectrum guitar pieces but added a
much wider range of styles. This ensures that guitarists develop the blend of fingerstyle and plectrum
technique they need to play the music they know and love.

Styles
This syllabus bridges the gap between classical and electric guitar, incorporating folk, acoustic, rock and
pop, jazz, blues and country styles. It ensures relevance to contemporary guitarists by giving teachers
and learners the flexibility to develop both fingerstyle and plectrum playing. Explore pieces by Ed Sheeran,
Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin alongside Django Reinhardt and Chet Atkins.

Techniques
The technical work is relevant to a whole range of popular music styles as it includes chord patterns
and progressions, jazz scales, blues scales and modes in addition to the standard scales and arpeggios.
Many of the pieces, particularly at the lower grades, can be played either with fingers or plectrum, to suit
learner preference.

Books and backing tracks

There are three books available — for Initial to Grade 2, Grades 3–5 and Grades 6–8 — which contain a
wide range of styles, allowing candidates to follow distinct stylistic pathways as they progress.
All pieces are available in both standard and TAB notation so are accessible for any learner. Some pieces
are solo arrangements, while others have free downloadable backing tracks recorded by professional
session players, allowing guitarists to practise as part of a band and learn crucial ensemble skills.

Pro-skills
The syllabus is designed to reflect real-life demands and so includes material that features the different
roles an acoustic guitar can fulfil: as a self-contained solo instrument, as a solo lead-line instrument or
as an accompanying instrument. Many of the pieces include fingerstyle techniques (including thumb
independence), or use of plectrum and modern percussive techniques, while others offer short improvised
sections, or playing from chord symbols.
Developed by professional guitarists, our online support resources show you what an exam is like,
explore professional technique and look at where our exams can take you: trinitycollege.com/acoustic-
guitar-resources

Recognition and UCAS points

Trinity College London is an international exam board regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and
Examinations Regulation) in England, CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and by Qualifications Wales.
Various arrangements are in place with governmental education authorities worldwide. In the UK,
Grades 6–8 are eligible for UCAS points for those applying to colleges and universities. Trinity exams
are aligned to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

DOWNLOAD OUR ACOUSTIC GUITAR SYLLABUS 2020–2023:

trinitycollege.com/acoustic-guitar

–2–
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Contributors
Trinity worked with a team of experts, including the following consultants, to develop the syllabus.

Anders Rye obtained his Popular Music degree from London College of Music and
Media and has worked as a professional live and studio musician, appearing on
various radio and TV shows. He has performed all over the world, including at the
legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool, and most recently with artists like Shalamar
and Jason Donovan. In addition to his work as a consultant for Trinity’s Rock &
Pop and Acoustic Guitar syllabuses, Anders is a member of the Trinity Rock & Pop
examiner panel, and also wrote the teaching notes for the classical guitar book
series Raise the Bar.

Mike Dawes is hailed as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle
guitar performers. He is known for composing, arranging and performing
multiple parts simultaneously on one instrument using unique and extended
micro-techniques. Named ‘Best acoustic guitarist in the world right now’ by Total
Guitar/MusicRadar in 2017 and 2018 readers’ polls, his repertoire spans solo viral
video hits in addition to mainstream chart successes. His playing can be heard in
TV and film, including Better Call Saul and Sky TV’s Guitar Star. Mike has a strong
reputation as an educator, and is a columnist for Guitar World, Acoustic and other
major publications.

Robert Morandell, based in Austria, has been teaching classical guitar, electric
guitar, electric bass, ensemble and musicianship since 2000 at the Tyrol Music
Service where he is head of plucked instruments and jazz, rock & pop. His electric
guitar tutor series Rockodile, co-authored with Christoph Gruber, has been
published in English translation by Trinity, and his other educational publications
include Guitar Tiger, Herculean Etudes and Jukebox. His compositions, published
internationally, cover many musical styles, genres and instruments. He lends
his expertise through providing workshops, organising musical competitions
and as an adjudicator.

Tim Pells studied at the Royal Academy of Music, and started coordinating guitar
teaching in London schools for the Inner London Education Authority. Tim is now
the instrumental studies coordinator at University Centre Colchester, where he
teaches guitar, songwriting, education practice and performance. He has been
head of guitar at the Centre for Young Musicians (Guildhall School of Music &
Drama) since 1984 and is a member of the English Guitar Quartet, with whom he
has toured and recorded internationally.

T J Walker started playing the ukulele banjo aged four and took up guitar when
he was seven. By the time he was 15 he had started working in professional bands
and has since performed all over the world in venues including the Royal Albert
Hall and the O2 Arena. He also writes music for radio, TV and film, and his credits
include BBC 6 Music themes and the BBC Radio One Live Lounge theme. T J’s
solo album of original songs, The Long Game, was released at the end of 2019.

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Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

The exam at a glance

About the exam

PIECES
66 marks
Choose three pieces TECHNICAL WORK
each worth 22 marks. 14 marks
Scales, arpeggios, broken
chords, exercises, chord
sequences and cadences,
depending on the grade.

SUPPORTING TESTS
20 marks
A combination of two tests from
sight reading, aural, improvisation
and musical knowledge, depending
on grade and candidate choice.

Pieces
Candidates can express their musical identity by choosing pieces from our varied lists. There are options
to play with backing tracks, as well as to play a duet at Initial to Grade 5 (with a live or recorded duet part).
At all grades, candidates can perform an own composition in place of one of the listed pieces.

Technical work
This section of the exam supports the development of technical skills by assessing candidates’
performance in a range of technical work requirements. All candidates play scales and arpeggios,
and depending on grade, candidates also play chord progressions, cadences and exercises.

Supporting tests
Trinity’s supporting tests encourage the development of the broader musical skills of sight reading, aural,
improvisation and musical knowledge. The choice offered to candidates in this part of the exam allows
them to demonstrate their own musical skills in different ways.

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 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Exam structure and mark scheme

Initial–Grade 5 Maximum Grades 6–8 Maximum
marks marks

PIECE 1 22 PIECE 1 22

PIECE 2 22 PIECE 2 22

PIECE 3 22 PIECE 3 22

TECHNICAL WORK 14 TECHNICAL WORK 14

Scales, arpeggios, broken chords, exercises,

„ Scales, arpeggios, cadences, chord progressions
„
chord sequences (depending on grade) (depending on grade)

SUPPORTING TESTS 20 SUPPORTING TEST 1 10

Any TWO of the following: Sight reading

„

Sight reading
„

Aural
„

Improvisation
„ SUPPORTING TEST 2 10

Musical knowledge
„
ONE of the following:
Aural
„

Improvisation
„

TOTAL 100 TOTAL 100

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Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Acoustic guitar exam books

Pieces

Initial Grade 3
AIN’T NO SUNSHINE Bill Withers, arr. Anders Rye ANNIE’S SONG John Denver, arr. T J Walker
AMAZING GRACE John Newton, arr. T J Walker BAYOU BLUE T J Walker
OH WHEN THE SAINTS Trad., arr. T J Walker Eagles (Don Felder, Don Henley
HOTEL CALIFORNIA
REDEMPTION SONG Bob Marley, arr. T J Walker & Glenn Frey), arr. T J Walker

ROCKIN’ THE COUNTRY Brett Duncan JOYRIDE IN A PINK

Robert Morandell
CADILLAC
STEGOSAURUS STRUT Nick Powlesland
SETTING SAIL Tim Pells
SUMMER RAIN T J Walker
TOMORROW WILL
The Beach Boys Nick Powlesland
SURFIN’ SAFARI BE BETTER
(Brian Wilson & Mike Love)
TUESDAY BLUESDAY Nick Powlesland
WHITE WINDMILL T J Walker
TURN TO DUST Nick Powlesland

Grade 1 Grade 4
CUBA KICK! Tim Pells CHILLOUT Nick Powlesland
A FISTFUL OF PESOS Nick Powlesland IN THE KNOW T J Walker
THE HUNGRY GHOST Leslie Searle Justin Bieber (with Ed Sheeran
LOVE YOURSELF
PERFECT SKY T J Walker & Benny Blanco)

Ed Sheeran (with John McDaid, MEAN STREET Nick Powlesland

PHOTOGRAPH Tom Leonard & Martin Harrington), PINKY PLAYS THE BLUES Robert Morandell
arr. Anders Rye
SEPIA TONED T J Walker
SAILOR’S HORNPIPE Trad., arr. James Burden SUN SONG Bryan Lester
A TALE OF THE Elton John & Bernie Taupin,
Robert Morandell YOUR SONG
GREEN ISLE arr. Mark Rose
TANGO MEMORIES Tim Pells
The Kinks (Ray Davies),
WATERLOO SUNSET
arr. T J Walker

Grade 2 Grade 5
BAD JACK Nick Powlesland BONNIE’S BOUNCE T J Walker
BLUE RAG Robert Morandell The Lumineers (Jeremy Fraites
HO HEY
HOUSE OF THE & Wesley Schultz), arr. Mark Rose
Trad., arr. Tim Pells
RISING SUN Bruno Mars (with Philip Lawrence
MARRY YOU
JAMAICA Nick Powlesland & Ari Levine), arr. Robert Morandell

NEW MEMORY LANE Tim Pells ONE MORE TIME Roy Chilton

ROCKODILE REGGAE Robert Morandell REWRITE THE STARS (from Zac Efron & Zendaya (Benj Pasek
The Greatest Showman) & Justin Paul), arr. T J Walker
SAIL AWAY T J Walker
ROCKROACH Nick Powlesland
TURKEY IN THE STRAW Trad., arr. Fred Sokolow
SONG FOR DOROTHY Ben Crosland
WHAT A Louis Armstrong (Bob Thiele &
WONDERFUL WORLD George David Weiss), arr. T J Walker Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
& Robert Plant)
THAT’S THE WAY IT IS Robert Morandell

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 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Support publications

Grade 6 Scales, Arpeggios & Studies

COUNTRY PICKIN’ Roy Chilton These volumes contain all the scales, arpeggios
The Beatles (John Lennon and studies required for Trinity’s Classical
HERE, THERE
& Paul McCartney), Guitar and Acoustic Guitar exams for Initial
AND EVERYWHERE
arr. George Adie
to Grade 8. Intuitive and bespoke technical
LeAnn Rimes (Diane
HOW DO I LIVE
Warren), arr. T J Walker
work is a hallmark of Trinity exams, enabling
learners to build confidence in their technique.
Django Reinhardt & Stéphane
MINOR SWING
Grappelli, arr. T J Walker
NEVER SO CLOSE Roy Chilton
OVER THE HILLS Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page
AND FAR AWAY & Robert Plant)
RUBY BLUE T J Walker
SWING THING Nick Powlesland
Carole King,
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND
arr. Robert Morandell

Grade 7
ALIEN WAFFLE HOUSE Mike Dawes
ANJI Davy Graham, arr. Clive Carroll
BALLAD Roy Chilton
BE DEEDLE DE DO Barney Kessel
CLASSICAL GAS Mason Williams
FLY ME TO THE MOON Bart Howard, arr. Andy Jones
Extreme (Nuno Bettencourt
HOLE HEARTED
& Gary Cherone)
(SOMEWHERE) OVER Chet Atkins (Harold Arlen
THE RAINBOW & E Y Harburg)
SOUL AGENT Roy Chilton

Grade 8
BLUE BOY Barney Kessel
DEEP RIVER BLUES Trad., arr. Doc Watson
FOR MY FATHER Andy McKee
MISTER PUNCH Roy Chilton
MISTER SANDMAN Chet Atkins (Pat Ballard)
Joe Pass (Cole Porter),
NIGHT AND DAY
arr. François Leduc
OVERLAP Roy Chilton
SOLO NO. 2 Lucky Elden

–7–
Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Sample pieces — About the pieces

Grade 1: CUBA KICK! / Pells

‘Cuba Kick!’ is a fun, Latin/pop style piece which can be played either with the pick or fingerstyle, and
can be performed unaccompanied or with a backing track. The repeating syncopation should be relatively
easy to achieve when used with the optional backing track.

Grade 2: SAIL AWAY / Walker

The guitar part for ‘Sail Away’ demonstrates how the acoustic guitar can be used in a modern pop
production in a similar way to artists such as Ed Sheeran. It has an optional contemporary sounding
backing track. The piece has a range of strumming and arpeggiated passages showing variations
within the style.

Grade 3: JOYRIDE IN A PINK CADILLAC / Morandell

‘Joyride in a Pink Cadillac’ is a feel-good blues: imagine cruising with your car (or bike or electric scooter) on
a sunny afternoon with a smile on your face. The first 12 bars of the song are the theme, while the next 12
bars are like a little written improvisation that picks up the idea of the theme in bar 9 but takes it to a more
dramatic ending to properly prepare for the turnaround. The tune works as a solo piece but, as is often true
in real life, playing it with someone else as a duet is even more fun.

Grade 5: BONNIE’S BOUNCE / Walker

‘Bonnie’s Bounce’, named after T J’s daughter, is based on a 12-bar blues sequence and includes several
stylistic elements reminiscent of those used by jazz guitarists such as George Benson. These include
chromatic melodic passages, jazz-voiced chord accompaniment, walking bass lines and an improvised
section. There are some tricky but fun sections in this piece!

Grade 7: ALIEN WAFFLE HOUSE / Dawes

‘Alien Waffle House’ combines regular application of the Travis picking technique along with Jerry Reed
influenced runs in the North American tradition. The piece also provides room for improvisation within
the context of a 12-bar blues.

ORDER YOUR BOOKS FROM OUR ONLINE SHOP:

trinitycollege.com/shop-acoustic-guitar

–8–
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Sample pieces
Grade 1 Unaccompanied or with backing
Countinin
Count
Grade 1 Unaccompanied or with backing Count in
Cuba
Cuba
Cuba Kick!
Grade 1 Unaccompanied or with backing
Kick!
Kick!
44 j j
444œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ
Grade 1
4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
tabtab
supplied
supplied
tab supplied Cuba
Cuba Kick!
Cuba Kick!
TimPells
Tim Pells
Tim Pells
Tim Pells
Tim Pells
Tim Pells
ritmicoq =q =106

° °° 4 4
Molto
Molto ritmico 106
Molto ritmico q = 106
.
pp i m p
.. .. œœœ
i m p i m p p p p i m
m i m p p p p p m i m p

œ œ
&& 4 4œ œœ œ
œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœ œœ œœ œœœœœœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœœ œ
p i m p i m p p p p m i m p

& 4 œ œ œ .œœœœ œœœœœœœœ œ œ

‹ ‹‹ f f œ œœ œœœ œœœ###œœœ œœœ œœœ œ œ œ œœ
f

. ...
⁄ . .3
¢⁄¢¢⁄
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0
0 00 00 0 20 0 2 00 0 2 00 2 00 3 3 220 0 0 02 20 0
2
3 2 3 22 00 3 2 3 22 3 22 3
3 3 3
3 33 1 1 2 3 33 2
2 33 33
11 11 22 33
Play with pick or fingerstyle
Play with
Play pick
with oror
pick fingerstyle
fingerstyle

° °°& œ œœ œœ œ œ œœœœ œœœœœ œœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ bbœœ nnœœ bbœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ... .

5 2 3 4
5 5 22 33 44

œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ bœ nœ bœ œœ œœœœœœœœœœœœœ. .
‹‹ œ œœ œ œœœœ
&& œ
‹
..
..
¢¢⁄⁄ 3
1 1 0 1 3 1

0. .
2 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 3 4 3 0 2 0 0
0 0 1 1 33 1

¢⁄
3 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 0 02 0
32 3 2 2 00 00 22 00 3
2
2 3
22 33 44 33 0 0 2 2 0 0
2 0
3 3 3 2

°
° °& .
9 p i m p i m p sim.
...p i œm œp i œmœ p sim. œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œ
9 p i m p i m p

œœœ
sim.

& . œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
9

œ œ œ œ
&‹‹ . œ >œœ œ œ>œœ œ œ>œ œ œ œœ >œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœœœ œ
‹ >mf > >> >> >œ>>œ œ >œ> œ œ œœ œ œ œ
mf
mf
..
⁄ . .. 3 22 00 3 22 00 3
¢¢⁄ 32 0 3 2 0 3 1 0 0 3 0 3 2 3 2 0 3 2 0 33 1 00 0 0 3 0 0 2 2 0 0
0 0
0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 2 0

.
¢⁄ 3
0 0 0 3 2 3 2 3 2

1 3 1 3
3 3 0 3 2 3 3 3 0
1 3 1 3

°
13°& ... ÓÓ ˙˙
13
p i

œ œ
13

° &
p i

‹ œœ œœ œ œœ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ . . w Ó ˙˙˙
∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏

&‹ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ . w ˙˙˙
p i
œ w
‹ œœ œ œ œ œsub.
sub. pœ
p œ œ œ œ ffœ œ œ œ œ mf mf mp
mp

..
sub. p f mf mp

⁄ .
1
∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏∏

¢¢⁄ 3 0 3 0 3 1 0 3 0 2 .
0 0 0
1

.
2 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2
0
3 2 3 2 3 0 0 0 3 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 3 2 1

.
¢⁄
3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 2 3
1 3 3 3 0
2 2 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3
1 3 3 3
© Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd 19
© Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd 19
–9– © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd
© Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd 19
TCL 019936 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Initial–Grade 2.indd 19 24/09/2019 14:45:19
TCL 019936 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Initial–Grade 2.indd 19 24/09/2019 14:45:19
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023
Count in
Grade 2 Unaccompanied or with backing
Sail Away - Grade 2 4 œ œ œ œ
Grade 2
4 œ œ œ œ

Sail Away
T J Walker
new tab

° 4 Pop q = 95
& 4 ‰̇ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰˙ œ œ œ ‰˙ œ œ œ ‰˙ œ œ œ ˙‰ œ œ œ 1 1

‹ ˙ ˙ ˙
2 2
3
2 2 2
3 2
3
mp

¢⁄
1 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0
2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 2 0 0
3 2 0
3

° ‰ œ œ œ˙
5

‰̇ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ ˙˙
& œœ œ œ ˙œ œ œ
4

˙ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ ˙
1 1 1 1 1

‹ ˙ ˙
3 2
3
2 2 2
3
2
3

mf

0 0 3 3

¢⁄
1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0
0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0
2 0 2 0 3 2 0 0
3 2 0
3

° œœœ.. œœœ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ. œœ œœ œ ˙

9

& œ.. œ œ œ ˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ... œœ œœ œœ ˙˙

1 4

œ ˙
1

‹
1 3 1
2 2
3 2

mp

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3

¢⁄
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 0
2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

48 © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

– 10 – © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

TCL 019936 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Initial–Grade 2.indd 48 24/09/2019 14:45:28
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

° œœ.. œœ œœ œœœ ˙˙˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙ œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œ. œœ œ ˙

13

& œœ.. œœ œœ œ ˙ œœ.. œœ œœ

4

œœ ˙˙ œœ. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙
3
œœ.. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙
˙
1 1

. œ. œœ œ ˙
‹
1 1 3 1
2 2
3 2

1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 0 3 3 3 3

¢⁄
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 0
2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0
3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

° ‰̇ j œ ‰̇ œj œœ ‰̇ j œœ œ œ
‰̇ œj œ ‰̇ œj œ
17

& œ œ ‰ œj œœ ‰ j œœ ‰ j œœ œ
3 3

˙ œ ˙ œ
1

˙
1

‹
1 1 1
3 2
2 2 3 2
3
3

mp

0 0 3 3

¢⁄
1 0
0 0
2 0
3 2
1 0
2 0
2 0
0
3
1 1 1 0
2 0 0 0
3 2 0 0

° ‰ œ œ œœ ˙
21

‰̇ œ ‰ œ ‰ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙ œ œ ˙˙˙
‰ œ ‰ ‰
4

& œœœ œœœ

∏∏∏∏∏∏∏
3

œ
1

˙
1 1

‹ ˙
1 1

˙
3 2
3
2 2 2
3
3

0 0
∏∏∏∏∏∏∏
3 3

¢⁄
1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0
0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 2 0 0
3 2 0
3

U
° œœ œœ œœœœ ˙˙
25

& œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ
œ œ
œœ ˙˙
œ œ œ œ
∏∏∏∏∏

‹ p
1 1
1
2 2 3 2
3 2 2 2 2
3
f

U
0
∏∏∏∏∏∏

¢⁄
1 1
2 0
3 2
3 1 1 0 1
2 2 0 0 0
0 0 2 3 2 0 2
3

49

TCL 019936 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Initial–Grade 2.indd 49

– 11 – 24/09/2019 14:45:29
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023
Count in
Grade 3 Unaccompanied or live duet or with backing
Joyride in a Pink Cadillac
4 œ œ œ œ
Grade 3 (extract)
4 œ œ œ œ

Joyride in a Pink Cadillac

Spritztour im rosaroten Cadillac Robert Morandell
new tab

qaa z=[qp ]e
Robert Morandell

. a .
With a bluesy bounce q = c.110

° ## # c
# nœ #œ j
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ. nœ #œ œ œ œ œ œ iœj œ j
nœœ ˙˙
m
i

& ‰ ‰ #œ œ œ nœ œ
‹ ˙. œ œ
Candidate
˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ œJ œ œJ œ
part
f
3 4 0 2 0 0 3 4 0 2 0 0 0

¢⁄
2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 3
1 1 1
2 0
0 4 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0

qaa z=[qp ]e

° ##
With a bluesy bounce q = c.110

& ## c œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
‹ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ
Duet part
f

¢⁄
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2
2 0 4 4 2 4 4 2
0 4 4 0 4 4

j .
° #### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‹œ #œ œ œ œ œœ nœj ˙
5

& œ œ œ œœ œ ˙ œ nœ
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0 0 0 3 3 0 0 2 3 4 0 0 0

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° # ##
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œ

¢⁄
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 4 2 4 2 2
0 4 4 2 4 4 2
0 4 4

12 © Copyright 2012 by Ludwig Doblinger (Ludwig Herzmansky) GmbH & Co KG, Vienna (Dobl. 35 941)

– 12 – © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

TCL 019943 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 3–5 (without Pink Floyd).indd 12 07/10/2019 10:30:59
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

To Coda 

° ####
9
œ œj nœ. p i m a

œ œj nœ. œ œj nœ œj œ œ œ œ
‰ nœ œ ‰ œœ ‰ #œ œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ
4 4 4

&
2 3

‹ w w œJ œ œ œ œ
1 0
2

˙..
1 2

1 1

mf
0 3 0 3 0 3 2 2 2 2

¢⁄
0 2 0 0 0 0 0
2 2 1 2 2 2 2
2 0 2 2 2 2
0


° ####
To Coda

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ
‹ œ œ œ nœ œ œ
mf

¢⁄
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 2 2 2 1 1 1
1 4 1 2
2 0 4 4 0 1 2 0
0 4 4 2

.
° #### œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ
œ ‰ œ œ nœ œ œ œ
13 p a i m

& ‰ œ œ
‹ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
mp
0 0 0 2 3 0 4 4 0 0

¢⁄
3 3 2 2 2 0 3 2 0
1 1 1
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0 0 0 0 0 0

° # ##
& # œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
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mp

¢⁄
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2
2 0 4 4 2 4 4 2
0 4 4 0 4 4

13

TCL 019943 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 3–5 (without Pink Floyd).indd 13
– 13 – 07/10/2019 10:30:59
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023
Bonnie's Bounce - Grade 5 (Jazz) Count in
Grade 5 Unaccompanied or with backing
4 œ œ œ œ
Grade 5 (extract) 4 œ œ œ œ

new tab
Bonnie’s Bounce
T J Walker
Medium swing q = 120 qaa z=[qp ]e

° # 4 œœ
½CIII ½CIII

œœ..
½CIII
œ œ
& 4 nœ œ œ œ bœ nœ œ bœ nœ œ œ œ ‰ bœœœ... nn>œœ œ œ œ bœ nœ œ #œ œ ‰ n>œ.
1

œœ
3 1 2 3 1
1 2 2 2

‹ >
2

>
4 4 3 4
1 1 1
4 4 4

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3 3 2 3 3
4 3 4 5 3 4 3 4 3 4 5 4
3 2 5 2 5 5 3 2 5 2 5 3
5 5 3 5 5

° # bœ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ b œ œ œ œ bœ. nœœ œœœ...

5 ½CIII

& œœ ‰ œ. n œ œ œ bœ nœ œ œ #œ nœ ‰ #
1 2 3

œ n œœ ..
1

. >œ œ
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4 4 3 2 1
4

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œ
9

n>œœ œ œ œ bœ nœ œ bœ nœ œ # œ œ ˙
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& nœœ
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3 3 4 1
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° # œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ bœœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ nœœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ nœœ

CV
œœ œœ œœ ¿¿
13

& nœ œ œ œ ¿ œ œ œ œ ¿ n œ œ œ œ ¿ œœ œœ nœ œ ¿
2
2 4

‹
3 3 2
3
1 1

mp

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3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X 6 6 3 3 X
4 4 4 4 X 3 3 3 3 X 4 4 4 4 X 5 5 4 4 X
3 3 3 3 X 2 2 2 2 X 3 3 3 3 X 7 7 3 3 X
5 5

46 © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

– 14 – © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

TCL 019943 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 3–5 (without Pink Floyd).indd 46 07/10/2019 10:31:13
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

° # œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ bœœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ œ ¿¿ œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿
CIII
œœ œœ œœ
17

& b œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ b œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ œ
¿¿ #œœœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿
¿ n œœ œœ œœ œœ
4

‹ œ œ œ œ ¿ œ œ œ œ
2

œ œ œ ¿
4 4
2

œ œ œ œ ¿
3
1 2

3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X 0 0 0 0 X

¢⁄
5 5 5 5 X 4 4 4 4 X 3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X
3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X 2 2 2 2 X 1 1 1 1 X
5 5 5 5 X 5 5 5 5 X 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 X
3 3 3 3 X 3 3 3 3 X 2 2 2 2 X 2 2 2 2 X
0 0 0 0 X

° # œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿
21 CV

& nœœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ œœ œœ œœ œœ ¿¿ nœ
œ œ œ œ ¿ œ  œ bœ bœ
œ  œ bœ
1

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Ê Ê Ê
2 4 3 4
3
3 2 1 2

0 0 0 0 X 5 5 5 5 X

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0 0 0 0 X 5 5 5 5 X 8 7 6 5
7 6 5 4

Improvise

° # G7
25

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C9 G7

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G7 E7

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D7 G7 D7

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¢⁄
47

TCL 019943 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 3–5 (without Pink Floyd).indd 47
– 15 – 07/10/2019 10:31:14
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Grade 7 Unaccompanied
Alien Waffle House
Grade 7 (extract) Mike Dawes

Tab supplied
Alien Waffle House
Mike Dawes
Chorus
Bluesy q = 180 qaa z=[qp ]e
° #### 4 œ nœ œ nœ œ œ
& 4 nœ #œ nœœ #œ œ œ
œ œ nœœ #œ œ œ
‹ œ. . . nœ
œ œ œ œ œ
P.M. ¿ (P.M. ad lib. throughout choruses)
mf let ring throughout 1/4

0 3 0 0 0

¢⁄
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0 1 2 2 2 2 2 2
2
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° #### nœ œ œ nœ œ nœœ œœ œ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ
4

& œ œ nœ #œ
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œ
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° #### nœ œ œ nœ œ œœ œœ nœœ œ œ œ œ œ #œ nœ œ œ œ
8

& œ
œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ
‹ œ nœ œ œ œ

3 0 0 2 0 3 2 0 0

¢⁄
0 3 0 0 2 2 5 9 0
8 9 12
2 2 1 1 2 2 11
2 2 0 0
0 3 0

38 © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

– 16 – © Copyright 2019 Trinity College London Press Ltd

TCL 019950 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 6–8 (without Mayer).indd 38 07/10/2019 10:24:58
 Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

° #### œ nœ œ œ œ
12

œ
& nœ #œ œ nœ œ nœœ #œ œ œ œ œ
‹ n œ # œ >. œ œ œ nœ #œ
>
0 3 0 3 0

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2 0 2 2 2 2 2
3 4 0 0 0 3 4

° #### œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ nœœùù œœ œ nœ œ œ œ nœ
15

& nœœ #œ œ œ œ œ
‹ œ œ œ œ n œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
1/4

0 3 0 0 3 2 0 0 3 0 0

¢⁄
0 0 3 2 2 2 3 3 2
0 1 0
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 3

° #### œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ nœœ œ œ ¿
CII

œœœ œ œœ œœ
19

& nœœ #œ œ ¿¿
œ œ œ œ ¿
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> S

0 3 0 3 0 3 2 X

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S

° #### œ œ œ #œ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ œ
23
>œ. œ œœ œœ
3 3 3

& nœ #œ œ œ œ
œ
nœ
‹ œ œ nœ #œ

0 0 0 0 0

¢⁄
9 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
8 9 12 6 6 0 1
11 2
7 5
0 7 3 4

39

TCL 019950 Acoustic Guitar Exam Pieces 2020-2023 Grades 6–8 (without Mayer).indd 39
– 17 – 07/10/2019 10:24:58
 œ œ nœ nœ2 œ1 4 2 1 4 4 2 1 4 2 1 1
œ œ œ œ nœ
& nœ œ œ œ
‹
Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023
œ œ

A jazz melodic minor scale (three octaves)

Sample technical work 1 #œ œ # œ3 # œ1
XIV
œ œ # œ
4 VIII
œ
3

œ œby assessing
4

#œ1 skills
IX 2

#œ
V VIII 1

œ
4

œ
2

œ
3

œ relevant
1 3 4 1

œ
1 3 1 2 4 1 2 4

in& #œ #œ
This section of the exam supports the development of technical candidates’ performance

‹ sequences, cadences and exercises.

œ œ œ œ œ
a range of technical work requirements to popular music styles, including scales and arpeggios,
chord
VIII
œ œ2 œ1 œ4 œ2 1 3
4 IX
Scales #œ #œ œ1 œ4 œ2 1 4 3 1 VIII V

œ œ #œ #œ œ
4 2 1 3 1

&
‹
œ œ œ œ
Grade 3
This Grade
G major 3 pentatonic
scale major
(two octaves) scale
— see is great
Grade for improvising,
6 Guitar page 4 and forms the basis for many folk songs such
as ‘Skye Boat Song’.

G
Ebpentatonic major
major scale (two scale (two octaves)
octaves)

b 1 2 4 2 4 1 œ2 œ4 œ œ   3œ œ0 œœ4 œ2 œ1 2 œ4 0œ2 12 4 0 2 21 4 0 2 31

    4 œ1 œ
2 3œ
VI VII VIII 3 4 3 1 3 0 VII VI

œ œoctaves)   œ œ IX
2 0

 
1 0 1
E b b œminor scaleœ(three œ œ œ œVII
3 0 2 0 2 0

œ
‹ # II0 1 2 4 1 3 IV3 4 1 2 4 1 3 1 2 œ4 Vœ4 œ1 œ3 # œ1 # œ œ n œ4 n œ2
&melodic œ œ   3 4 œ
& œ œ œ #œ #œ œ
œ
‹ œ œ #œ œ — see Grade 7 Guitar page 13
# œoctaves)
ii) œ
Arpeggio œ
œ in many folk
C harmonic minor scale (two
— may be played with alternate picking (down/up) or as printed
Also common and blues songs are modal and blues scales, which feature at higher grades:

# œ œ œ œ œ nœ nœ ≤œ
CC major
melodicarpeggio (two octaves)
minor scale (two octaves) — see Grade 7 Guitar page 13
Grade 1
64 2 1 3 1 VI4 3 1 4 3 I 1 4 2 1 II4 2
≤0 ≥3 œ4 œ≥3 œ≤0 œ ≤1œ n≤œ0 n œ≤2 œ≥
1 0

& ≥ scale ≥ on≥0 C (two ≥1 octaves)

‹ V œ œ œ œ œ 3 œ œ
Dorian
œ œ œ œ œ œ
& œb œ œ œ œ œ
3 2

œ œ
‹Mixolydian œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
4

œ œ
1 1 2 2 1
4 4 4

b œ
3 2 2

œ œ œ œ œ
4 1 2 4 1 3 4 4 3 1 4 3 1 4 2 1 4

& œ
œscaleœ onœ E (two octaves)
‹ œ œ œ
1  2 
iii)Exercises 2 
 
4 2
 1 4 2 1 3 1 4 3 1 4 3 1 4
   
IX 4

 
1

 
4 3


4 1 3 1 3 4 1

   slurs

Bb major –ascending  37
Grade 7      2       
   
  scale    
2 3 1 3 3 4 1 4 3

 on E(two 
1 3 0 1 3 1 3 0 3 4

 
 D =m
Blues
Guitar Scales Grades 6-8 from 2016.indd 37 octaves) 12/08/2015 11:08:26

VII IX
œ # œ œ œ œ
4
œ2 œ4 # œ3 n œ2 4 1 VII
IV œ IV œ œ œ I
2

œ œ
2 3 4

œ
1 4 1 2 1 4 3 2 1 4
IX
œ œ #œ œ ½CVIII œ œ ½CIII œ œ œ #œ nœ œ œ
3 1 1 4 1

& ##œ#½CIII œ œ
G minor – half barré study 3

‹
3

#
1 1 1

≤
3

œ œ
0 4 2 3 2 2 1 3 3 2 4 0

& ≤4 œ œ≤1 ≤ ≥ œ4 ™ ≤1 ≤ ≥ ≤4 ≤3 ≥1 œ œ œ
‹ b 6 œœ œ1 œ 1
≤1 ≤ ≥ œœ™ œ œ œ1 œ œ1 1 œ œJ ˙™ œ œ
b œ œ
1

&major8 arpeggio (three octaves) — see Guitar Grade 6 page 5

E
‹
E minor arpeggio (three octaves) — see Guitar Grade 6 page 6

iv) Chord
Dominant sequence
7th arpeggio on E (three octaves)

œ œ œ4 œ2 œ4 1
### œ œ
2 IV
IV IX
œ œ
4 4

œ œ
3 1 1
II—V7—I in G
0 major 4

œ œ
1 4 2 1 1 4 1 3 4 2 4 1 0

& Am œ D7 œ College
‹ # Dm73œ œ1 œ≤0 œ™
≥ ≥ œ œ œ
≥ ≥ ≥ ≤ ≥
– 18 –
≥ ≤ ≥
© Copyright 2015 Trinity
≥
G
œ œ
London Press Ltd
œ œ
6 0
G7 2 1 œ
3
3 œ ™ Cmaj7 0 0 0
3 œ™ œ
   

Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023
A minor arpeggio (one octave)


 progressions
  4   
II
I
Chord and cadences
  
 
2

  
2
Chord progressions
1 0 and cadences
0 are
1 included in the technical work section to help build an understanding


of common harmonic structures that underpin popular forms in contemporary music, such as the 12-bar
blues, 1950s progression (I-vi-IV-V) and more.

Grade 1

iii) Chord
The Grade sequence
1 chord sequence is based around the common I-V -I progression, found extensively in songs
in all styles, including ‘Cuba Kick!’, ‘The Hungry Ghost’ and ‘Sailor’s Hornpipe’.
7

I-V7-I in C major

 1  
0 1 0  0 0 1  0 1 0 
 01  
C G7 C


  
 1
0    0   0

0 0

A major 7th arpeggio (to a 12th)

 2 1 4 3 4 3 2 3 4 3 4 1 2
IV

 7     

Grade
    
These Grade 7 sequences are based around the ii-V-I progression, a cornerstone of jazz harmony, and are
found in pieces at the grade including ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow’.

ii) Cadences
Fmin7sus4–Bb9–Eb6/ 9

Fmin7sus4 Eb6/9

w w w w
III Bb9 CV
b 4 w 1 ww
w w
& b b4 w w w
4 4 4

2 w w w
w
‹
w w
2 3
3 1
1 3 1
2

Am9–D13–Gmaj7

Am9 D13 Gmaj7

#4 w
CV
w
IV
w
V
w w
w
4
w
w
4
w
w
4
w w
& 4 w w w w
3

‹
1 3 2
1 2
1 1 31
1

Guitar Scales Initial to Grade 5 from 2016 [imp 4, Jun 2019].indd 31 20/06/2019 17:08:00

Dmin7b5–G7–Cm7
Dmin7b5 G7 Cm7

b 4w w w
V III CIII
4 3 w
& b b 4 23 w
w 4 nw
2 w
w
w w
w
‹
2

1w w w
1

1 w
3
1

– 19 –

Fmaj7–Dm7–Gm7–C9–Fmaj7
Trinity Acoustic Guitar Sample Booklet 2020–2023

Acoustic guitar resources

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