This syllabus is designed for complete beginners and children under the age of 12 in order to get accustomed to their instrument.

The syllabus runs through developing basic co-ordination between right and left hand along with basic rhythm and chord development. It runs through the study of simple melodies and chord exercises/songs to develop these areas in the student. This syllabus is designed to give the student the necessary foundation knowledge and muscle memory required, in order to move onto the graded curriculums.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

Need to complete between 5 - 10 Chord and Melody studies

• Small position Chords
• Melodies and single note playing
• Learn to read chord charts, tablature and basic notation
• Strumming patterns and basic accompaniment
• Right and Left Hand Co-ordination

The electric guitar syllabus is designed for the student to become well acquainted with the full spectrum and dimension of the electric guitar.

The syllabus follows the Rockschool Electric Syllabus. This syllabus is updated every several years and keeps up to date with new music developments and artists in order to stay current. Majority of the music in this syllabus is accompanied with backtracks which simulate bands for the student to play along with. Students following this syllabus will run through techniques and material designed for the electric guitar and for a band scenario. The material runs through a variety of styles of contemporary music from roots to current era (Rock, Pop, Blues, Country, Soul, Funk, R 'n B etc) and is well designed for the modern musician. The levels stem from being able to play along with your favorite pop or rock band, up to the advanced levels of virtuoso guitar playing in the playing styles of Steve Vai, Snarky Puppy and Jeff Beck. Students will also be encouraged to write their own songs in a style that they are interested in. More information regarding this syllabus and the performance pieces can be found on the Rockschool site.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

BEGINNER LEVEL (Debut Grade to Grade 2)

Need to complete Debut grade, grade one and grade two Rockschool electric practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Technical Requirements for beginner level*

• Primary open position chords
• Half Barre Chords
• One Octave Pentatonic, Major and Natural Minor Scale
• *Aural* Must sing above scales
• Basic key analysis of songs and chord progressions

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (Grade 3-5)

Need to complete Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 Rockschool electric practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Intermediate technical requirements*

• Full barre chords : Major, Minor and 7ths etc
• Pentatonic, Blues, Major and Natural Minor Scales across guitar neck
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above Scales
• Key analysis of all songs must understand chord progressions
• Know 12 bar blues in different keys
• Chord construction of triads and 7ths
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above chords
• Technique training : Scale practicing techniques, Basic sequencing, Right and left hand development
• Intermediate improvisation and solo construction one
• Compose a minimum of 2 songs on an intermediate level
• Transcribe a beginner to intermediate piece

ADVANCED LEVEL (Grade 6 -8)

Need to complete Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8 Rockschool Electric practical and technical requirements.

   *Overview of additional Advanced technical requirements*

• All major scale modes across neck (Dorian, Mixolydian etc)
• Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales across the neck
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above scales
• Understand difference between static and dynamic modal harmony
• Blues modal harmony and it's influence on rock and pop, extended blues scale
• Complete chord construction upper structure chords 11ths 13ths and tensions.
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above
• Technical training : further sequencing - linear, intervals, chordal and variations
• Advanced improvisation including chord tones, solo construction 2
• Rhythm training
• Key analysis of all songs
• Compose a minimum of 2 advanced songs
• Transcribe advanced piece
• Mastered Electric Techniques *where required* : Whammy Bar Dives, Harmonics : (Pinch, harp and natural), Tapping etc

The acoustic guitar syllabus is designed for students who wish to study the artistry of acoustic playing.

The syllabus follows graded material from Rockschool acoustic curriculum. The syllabus material is updated every several years to stay current with new trends and artists in music development. The material in this syllabus is designed for aspiring contemporary acoustic players that would like to play both in a band or a solo fingerstyle context. The performance studies range from playing standard acoustic guitar in the vain of favourite popular artists such as Ed Sheeran, Oasis and Bob Marley to the advanced acoustic styles of Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Roche and Pat Metheny. More information regarding this syllabus and the performance pieces can be found on the Rockschool site.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

BEGINNER LEVEL

Need to complete Initial, grade one and grade two Rockschool Acoustic practical and technical components.

    *Overview of additional Beginner technical requirements*

• Primary open position chords
• Half Barre Chords
• One Octave Pentatonic, Major and Natural Minor Scale
• *Aural* Must sing above scales
• Basic key analysis and understanding chord progressions
• Basic Improvisation

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Need to complete Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 Rockschool Acoustic practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Intermediate technical requirements*

• Full barre chords : Major, Minor and 7ths etc
• Penatonic, Blues, Major and Natural Minor Scales across guitar neck
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above Scales
• Key analysis of all songs must understand chord progressions
• Know 12 bar blues in different keys
• Chord construction of triads and 7ths
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above chords
• Technique training : Scale practicing techniques, Basic sequencing, Right and left hand development
• Intermediate improvisation and solo construction one
• Compose a or arrange a minimum of 2 songs on an intermediate level
• Transcribe a beginner-intermediate piece

ADVANCED LEVEL

Need to complete Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8 practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Advanced technical requirements*

• All major scale modes across neck (Dorian, Mixolydian etc)
• Harmonic and Melodic Minor scales across the neck
•  *Aural* Must be able to sing above scales
• Understand difference between static and dynamic modal harmony
• Blues modal harmony and it's influence on rock and pop, extended blues scale
• Complete chord construction upper structure chords 11ths 13ths and tensions.
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above
• Technical training : further sequencing linear, intervals, chordal and variations
• Advanced improvisation including chord tones, solo construction 2
• Rhythm training
• Key analysis of all songs
• Compose or arrange a minimum of 2 advanced songs
• Transcribe advanced piece
• Master acoustic techniques *where required*: Harmonics (Slap, Natural and Harp) Alternate tunings, Body hits/Percussive playing and tapping techniques

This curriculum allows students to delve into the idiom of Classical Guitar. The repertoire and studies are based around a nylon acoustic guitar and follows the Trinity Classical Guitar syllabus. This runs from traditional classical pieces to selections of more contemporary classic selections for guitar.

The syllabus contains eight grades which the student will progress through which will require completion of three practical pieces and a selection of technical requirements. Reading music notation is mandatory for this syllabus and it also opens up the opportunity to delve into other traditional written music such as Antillean Classical music etc. Fingerstyle playing is mandatory in this curriculum and a classical approach is taken to the student’s practice regime, from sitting in the right posture, correct hand placements and the use of a footstool.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

The classical syllabus has specific technical criteria that is based individually for each grade and therefore cannot be outlined as a whole. For further details of these criteria, you can visit the official Trinity College site and browse the syllabus details for the classical guitar section.

This curriculum serves as a precursor to Jazz studies. The repertoire and studies are based around either a steel string acoustic or electric guitar and follows the Trinity Plectrum syllabus. This curriculum is also designed for solo study and performance and looks into arrangments from Jazz players such as Barney Kessel to arrangements of Beatles tunes and quasi-classical pieces.

The syllabus contains eight grades which the student will progress through which will require completion of three practical pieces and a selection of technical requirements. Reading music notation is mandatory for this syllabus and it also opens up the opportunity to delve into other traditional written music such as notated music from the Antilles, however, with a primary focus on Plectrum style playing.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

The Plectrum syllabus has specific technical criteria that is based individually for each grade and therefore cannot be outlined as a whole. For further details of these criteria, you can visit the official Trinity College site and browse the syllabus details for the Plectrum guitar section.

The Ukulele syllabus offers students the option for learning Hawaii’s most famous instrument. With options to learn to be able to accompany singers or play complete solo arrangements on the Ukulele, in the vain of Jake Shimabukuro.

This syllabus uses the Rockschool Ukulele grades, but also places focus on individual lesson material designed for the student’s personal goals. This is a great syllabus for those also wishing to start to learn the basics of music, keys and related theory, or just wanting to unwind and play on one of Bonaire’s famous beaches!

The electric bass syllabus is designed for the student to become well acquainted with the full spectrum and dimension of the low end of music.

The syllabus follows the Rockschool Bass Syllabus. This syllabus is updated every several years and keeps up to date with new music developments and artists in order to stay current. Majority of the music in this syllabus is accompanied with backtracks which simulate bands for the student to jam with. Students following this syllabus will run through techniques and material designed for the bass guitar and for a band scenario. The material runs through a variety of styles of contemporary music from roots to current era (Rock, Pop, Blues, Country, Soul, Funk, R 'n B etc) and is well designed for the modern musician. The levels stem from being able to play along with your favorite pop or rock band, up to the advanced levels of virtuoso bass playing in the playing styles of Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius. Students will also be encouraged to write their own songs in a style that they are interested in. More information regarding this syllabus and the performance pieces can be found on the Rockschool site.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

BEGINNER LEVEL (Debut Grade to Grade 2)

Need to complete Debut grade, grade one and grade two Rockschool electric practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Technical Requirements for beginner level*

• One Octave Pentatonic, Major and Natural Minor Scale
• *Aural* Must sing above scales
• Key Analysis, understanding chord progressions and how to write basic bass lines to fit.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL (Grade 3-5)

Need to complete Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 Rockschool electric practical and technical components

   *Overview of additional Intermediate technical requirements*

• Pentatonic, Blues, Major and Natural Minor Scales across guitar neck
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above Scales
• Key analysis of all songs must understand how to craft bass lines accordingly
• Know 12 bar blues in different keys
• Chord construction of triads and 7ths
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above chords
• Technique training : Scale practicing techniques, Basic sequencing, Right and left hand development
• Intermediate improvisation and solo construction one
• Compose a minimum of 2 songs on an intermediate level
• Transcribe a beginner to intermediate piece

ADVANCED LEVEL (Grade 6 -8)

Need to complete Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8 Rockschool Electric practical and technical requirements.

   *Overview of additional Advanced technical requirements*

• All major scale modes across neck (Dorian, Mixolydian etc)
• Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor scales across the neck
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above scales
• Understand difference between static and dynamic modal harmony
• Blues modal harmony and it's influence on rock and pop, extended blues scale
• Complete chord construction upper structure chords 11ths 13ths and tensions.
• *Aural* Must be able to sing above
• Technical training : further sequencing - linear, intervals, chordal and variations
• Advanced improvisation including chord tones, solo construction 2
• Rhythm training
• Key analysis of all songs
• Compose a minimum of 2 advanced songs
• Transcribe advanced piece
• Mastered Bass Techniques *where required* : Slapping, popping, tapping and harmonics etc

This syllabus goes through the broad and open field of Jazz and improvisational playing, it also focuses on other branches of instrumental styles that work with the same concepts.

Students will be required to be on a minimum of a grade 6 level before they can embark on this syllabus. The syllabus uses realbooks in order to study harmony, learn to improvise over the chord changes and arrange music.

The syllabus uses the harmonic centres approach to improvisation and utilizes realbooks, the Aebersold Jazz play-along series, Jazz theory book and various other material for studying jazz/contemporary harmony, composition and improvisation.

SYLLABUS DETAILS:

• Harmonic centres approach to contemporary and jazz improvisation
•  Melodic Minor Modes, Harmonic Minor Modes, Symmetrical scales (Diminished, whole tone etc)
•  *Aural* Must be able to sing above
• Chord/Scale Theory
• Comping studies : developing chord voicings and voice leading
•  Fundamental study of Jazz harmony and reharmonization techniques
•  Transcription and composition
• Fundamental study of Chord-melody