Although each musical instrument has a dedicated FAQ section in its syllabus, many of the questions appear below, as well as some general FAQ.

MISCELLANY
What is the point in taking part in exams?
Doing an exam is the best way to ensure that you as a student are learning all the aspects of music required to play gigs, to record, tour and jam with other musicians. An exam tests indirectly the teacher, as a student who does poorly on an exam is possibly being taught incorrectly. Lastly, it is important for all musicians to have short-term and long-term goals for his/her musical studies.

Who designed this Syllabus? What are their credentials?
This syllabus was designed by Steve Parton, the founder of Avalon Music Academy, with assistance from several contributing editors. Parton (like the editors) is a professional musician who has toured the country and recorded albums. In addition to playing popular music, Parton is also a classical guitarist trained in the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum.

Is this syllabus legal? Are there copyright issues?
It is perfectly legal to compile a list of songs and artists, just as it is legal to sell authorized transcriptions over the internet. No performance royalties are required for the exams, because the process is not thought of as a performance (any more than when a student plays a song for his/her teacher). However, the Grade 8 exams take place in a venue that routinely pays performance fees to SOCAN (if in Canada), or ASCAP and BMI (if in the U.S.).

How does one become an adjudicator (examiner)?
When the curriculum was first launched, we the editors of the syllabus tested each other, and proclaimed ourselves to be examiners (having years ago completed all the criteria by attending college, recording CD’s and performing across the country). To become an examiner yourself, start by completing your Grade 8 Exam. Put several years of teaching music and performing under your belt – then contact us to discuss the specific criteria involved in becoming an examiner.

Why are there no examination centres in my area?
We are expanding to involve as many communities as possible. If you are interested in helping facilitate an examination centre in your area, please contact us.

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EXAMS
I think I play at a Grade 2 level (or higher). Do I have to do exams starting from Grade 1, or can I make Grade 2 (or higher) my first exam?
You can begin exams at whatever grade you wish (it’s best to consult your guitar teacher) – EXCEPT for Grade 8 (see the next FAQ).

I think I play at a Grade 8 level. Can I make this my first (and only) exam?
It is a pre-requisite to pass the entire Grade 7 exam before commencing Grade 8. Alternatively, the Grade 8 exam may be accompanied by the technical exercises from the Grade 7 level. These technical exercises will be conducted in an exam setting, rather than during the Grade 8 performance.

Do StageRight Exam certificates make me eligible for high school credits?
Not currently, but as the syllabus grows in popularity and gains credibility, we will approach provincial and state governments to recognize and give credit for StageRight exams.

Can I mix and match electric and acoustic guitar pieces from the two syllabi?
Students cannot mix-and-match electric guitar and acoustic guitar pieces. These are to be thought of as two different instruments, the same as if you were studying violin and cello. That said, the Technical Tests for the electric guitar and acoustic guitar exams are almost identical, however, students who pass an exam for electric guitar and who are doing acoustic guitar for the same grade, are still required to do all the Technical Tests again (and vice-versa).

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EXAM PROCEDURES
How much importance is placed on using the same tone and effects of the artist whose song I am playing?
It makes it a bit easier for the examiner to interpret the song, but no bonus marks will be awarded.

Guitarists: What if I don’t have a whammy bar or a wah-wah pedal?
There will be no deductions if you do not have such accessories as a whammy bar or wah-wah pedal, however it would be a good idea to try and avoid those songs in this case.

Why do we only have 5 minutes to set up? Is that realistic?
Most musicians would be happy with a 30-minute set-up time, but we have to keep it short in order to examine as many musicians as possible in the time that’s available. If you ever perform at a festival, or if you are the opening act at a show, you will learn soon enough how to set up your band in a hurry – such bands are given a finite amount of time to perform, and if the set-up takes too long, the band must play fewer songs.

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ACCOMPANIMENT MUSICIANS
Can my accompaniment musicians be graded at the same time, if they also wanted be tested for the same songs on their own instruments?
No - the examiner can only focus on one musician at a time.

Is it mandatory to have a vocalist when being tested for an instrument?
A vocalist is not necessary, nor will bonus marks be given to those students who are accompanied by vocals. Vocalists are welcome to sing for Grades 1 to 3, Section A, and Section C (providing the latter is a rhythm guitar piece).

Can I sing while I get tested for an instrument?
Absolutely. There will be no bonus marks awarded, but singing helps keep your place within the song.

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ARRANGEMENTS
Why are arrangements of the songs dictated? Why can’t I just play the whole song?
Unlike classical music, most pop (and rock, etc) songs repeat sections over and over. Generally, the given arrangements attempt to depict the important parts of the songs, eliminating repeats. The pre-chorus of a song (the passage between a verse and a chorus) should always be played, though it is never listed in the given arrangement.

What if I can’t understand the Notes in the repertoire section?
Please contact us (via the Contact page at the end of this book). In most cases, we can refer to the same transcription and clear up any questions.

I found a song that I believe to be too hard or too easy for a particular grade. Will you change it?
For now, we would recommend that you choose a different song – but please inform us anyway. We may adjust it for the next edition of the syllabus.

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REPERTOIRE
Why do some songs appear in two sections?
Sometimes the rhythm part appears in one section, while the solo appears in another section. Also some songs have several solos, each at a different skill-level.

Why are certain songs excluded from the Repertoire?
The repertoire section was based exclusively on those transcriptions which are available. We had to pass on some incredibly worthy songs because they have not (yet) been transcribed and published.

Can I suggest a song for the syllabus?
Absolutely, providing that a professional, legal transcription has been published. If so, we will consider the song for a future edition of the syllabus.

Why are there so few Canadian songs? Why are there so few French songs?
We tried to add as many Canadian songs (English and French) as possible, but we are limited to what transcriptions have been published. For example, Kim Mitchell’s guitar work has not made an appearance in this syllabus because no transcriptions are currently available of his solo or Max Webster songs.

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SONG BOOKS
Why do I have to buy three or four different books for one grade?
We are working on consolidating songs so they can be published according to Grade level. This way you would only have to buy one book for each grade. This will take a bit of time to implement.

One of the songs from the Repertoire is transcribed in a book that’s not listed in your Book Suggestions. Can I use it?
Possibly. As we only gave a maximum of three or four book suggestions for each song, yours could very well be valid. Or, it could be that we found the transcription in your book to contain inaccuracies. Please check with us if you wish to use a book that is not listed. Generally, if the book is marked as an “Authentic Recorded Version” or “Signature Licks”, it will be fine. And Piano-Vocal-Guitar books are to be avoided (except where indicated). See the next FAQ.

Some song books that you suggest are PVG books (Piano-Vocal-Guitar) that contain no tablature, no rhythms, and are not “Authentic Recorded Versions”. Doesn’t this contradict your policy?
A select few songs are only available in Piano-Vocal-Guitar books, and would therefore be excluded from this syllabus, save for the fact that some Canadian books are only available in PVG, and are too important to exclude from this syllabus (Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo...).

Music books used in the syllabi can be ordered below:

- Electric Guitar Books
- Acoustic Guitar Books
- Bass Guitar Books

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TRANSCRIPTIONS
Can I use a transcription that my teacher did by ear (or that I did myself)?
No. The problem is that if you or your teacher’s transcribing skills are not entirely accurate, your performance will suffer as a result, even if you are playing your transcription perfectly. Furthermore, the examiner must see a professionally published transcription in order to accurately assess your performance.

Guitarists: Can I use Internet Tabs?
Yes, providing they are authorized and verified, as indicated in the Repertoire section of this syllabus. But text-version (free) Internet tabs are not permitted in the examination room. It’s not just that these transcriptions are illegal, they are nearly always inaccurate.

Can I use a transcription I found in a musician’s magazine?
Absolutely, providing that song is listed in the syllabus. Most guitar magazines, for example, have very accurate transcriptions (Guitar World, Acoustic Guitar, etc)

I found an error in a transcription. How do I report it?
Are you sure? Please let us know (via the “Contact” section of this book), with as many details as possible (i.e. song, artist, book, page, section, measure number). Submissions like this are very much appreciated. In some cases, we may remove the entire book from our list of book suggestions.

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© 2006 StageRight Exams(TM)