PRACTICE ROOM - GUITAR

Resources for Rock & Pop guitarists.

On this page:
Guitar 2018 - Syllabus Showcase
Guitar Technical Focus Demo Videos
Guitar Technical Focus Notes
Guitar Improvisation Demo Videos
Guitar Sessions - Performances by the Professionals
Guitar - further support resources

GUITAR 2018 - SYLLABUS SHOWCASE

Get a taster of just some of the exciting new songs featuring on our new Rock & Pop 2018 Guitar syllabus. Session guitarist Luke Higgins puts his spin on songs from the new syllabus and tells you why he thinks they’re so great to play. The songs featured are: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana, 'Ziggy Stardust' by David Bowie, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' by Lenny Kravitz, 'Morning Glory' by Oasis and 'With a Little Help from My Friends' by Joe Cocker.

TECHNICAL FOCUS DEMO VIDEOS

Learn how to master the skills that appear in some of our technical focus songs for Guitar 2018 with professional session musician Jon Wright. These videos focus on a range of techniques from unison bends to palm muting. Jon is professional guitarist who works as a band member, accompanist, studio and online session guitarist and a dep guitarist. He performs around the world in rock and pop bands and writes and records for media such as TV adverts, catalogue music and online media such as the BBC. He studied music at Ruskin University and is also a singer.

Rapid picking in 'Rope' by Foo Fighters

See all demo videos for Guitar 2018

TECHNICAL FOCUS NOTES

Grade 2: Balancing Single Notes and Chords
Grade 4: String Crossing
Grade 5: Hybrid Picking
Grade 6: Phrasing
Grade 7: Tremolo Picking Tips

IMPROVISATION DEMO VIDEOS

Professional musician Tom Fleming takes you through a range of different styles and genres, looking at ways to approach improvising on guitar. Tom Fleming is a highly skilled guitarist with a wealth of experience performing live as well as in the studio. He is a highly regarded arranger and producer, and has written around 50 different guitar publications.

Improvising in a Blues Style

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ROCK & POP GUITAR SESSIONS

PERFORMANCES BY THE PROFESSIONALS - LUKE HIGGINS

Luke Higgins is a London-based professional session guitarist and is currently working with James Arthur and Pixie Lott. Previously, he’s also worked with artists including Badly Drawn Boy, Lighthouse Family, Backstreet Boys, Amy Winehouse, Adele and The Script. Watch him put his spin on:

'MORNING GLORY', OASIS: Watch video
'ZIGGY STARDUST', DAVID BOWIE: Watch video
'ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY', LENNY KRAVITZ: Watch video
'SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT', NIRVANA: Watch video

FURTHER SUPPORT RESOURCES

Explore the wide range of support resources in our Practice Room:

Watch professional session musicians put their spin on songs in our Rock & Pop Sessions
Study specific skills and techniques in our Technical Focus Demo Videos
Work on improvisation through our Improvising in a Style Articles
Find out what our examiners are looking for in our Meet The Examiner Articles
Get inspired about building a career in the music industry with our Meet The Musician Articles
Find out what top tips teachers working with rock and pop students have in our Teaching Tips Articles
Hear young professional musicians talk about the music industry in our Pro Skills Videos
Listen to the artist's original versions of the Rock & Pop 2018 for inspiration in our Spotify playlists