{"id":12158,"date":"2023-01-27T13:11:51","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T05:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/?p=12158"},"modified":"2023-02-02T14:41:41","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T06:41:41","slug":"rsls-general-musicianship-questions-a-singapore-students-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/2023\/01\/27\/rsls-general-musicianship-questions-a-singapore-students-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"RSL\u2019S GENERAL MUSICIANSHIP QUESTIONS \u2013\u00a0 A SINGAPORE STUDENT\u2019S GUIDE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>At every stage of learning; in every part of a Rockschool syllabus; broadening a students\u2019 musical vocabulary is at the heart of what we do. We believe it\u2019s beneficial to see each section of the exam \u2013 whether it\u2019s in the performance, the technical exercises, sight reading, improvisation, ear tests or General Musicianship Questions (GMQ\u2019s) \u2013 not as isolated, unrelated events; but as a collection of chapters that belong to a whole story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great first step to becoming a well-rounded musician is understanding the different \u201cdialects\u201d and \u201cvocabulary\u201d of musical language. Here are a few that we thought might be helpful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rudiments\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Drum Rudiments are basically sticking patterns that can be used to build every drum beat, pattern, fill, and solo you can imagine.These are cleverly incorporated into the Rockschool Drums syllabus as the \u201cTechnical Exercises\u201d \u2013 Single strokes, buzz rolls, paradiddles, double strokes, flams, drags, these are all examples of rudiments.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/psgsuites.com\/rs-event\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/rudiments.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11600\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rudiments are the building blocks of any awesome drum fill, groove, or solo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The next time you play your pieces, try to see what rudiments you are actually using to play your grooves and fills, you might be surprised at how many you are already doing on a regular basis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find lots of sources online for rudiment charts and video tutorials, along with Rockschool\u2019s Technical Exercises at each grade. Here\u2019s our pick to start out from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/zildjian.com\/media\/wysiwyg\/education\/rudiments\/VicFirth_RudimentsPoster.pdf\">Vic Firth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n<li>Drum or Cymbal Makes\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The word \u201cmakes\u201d refers to the manufacturer names, or \u201cBrands\u201d as we like to call them here. Some notable Drum Brands you may know are Pearl, Ludwig, Mapex, DW, and many more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For cymbals, Sabian, Zildjian, Istanbul, Paiste, and Meinl are just a few of the options available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"12161\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-400x267.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-860x573.jpeg 860w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-430x287.jpeg 430w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-700x467.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/drum-brands-150x100.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"12162\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-400x267.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-860x573.jpeg 860w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-430x287.jpeg 430w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-700x467.jpeg 700w, https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cymbal-brands-150x100.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\">\n<li>Note value terms (EU\/US)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are different terms for the same musical note values depending on where you learned music. The most prevalent systems are those used in the UK\/Aus\/NZ, and the American terminologies. Both are used and accepted by RSL, however in the exams, often the US terms may be used when referring to note values:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>UK\/AUS\/NZ<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>US<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Time Value<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Semibreve<\/td><td>Whole note<\/td><td>4 beats<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minim<\/td><td>Half note<\/td><td>2 beats<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Crotchet<\/td><td>Quarter note<\/td><td>1 beat<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Quaver<\/td><td>Eighth note<\/td><td>\u00bd beat<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Semiquaver<\/td><td>Sixteenth note<\/td><td>\u00bc beat<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/psgsuites.com\/rs-event\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/note-value-terms.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11603\" width=\"845\" height=\"296\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">What\u2019s in a name? It helps to widen your vocabulary and learn the different terms for the same musical idea.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\n<li>\u201cConstruction\u201d of a major\/minor chord\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are a few ways you can approach the answer to this kind of question, but what it basically means is how is a major (or any other type of) chord composed.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/psgsuites.com\/rs-event\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chord-construction.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11604\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>You could go by the chord spelling (1-3-5 for major, 1-flat 3-5 for minor, etc.), you could name the notes in the chord if the examiner asks for a specific one like C Major would be C-E-G, or you could give the intervals between the notes in the chord (major 3rd + minor 3rd = major chord; minor 3rd + major 3rd = minor chord)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"5\">\n<li>Drum Voices\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These refer to the different sounds produced by (a.k.a. The different parts of) the drum kit, namely Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Tom 1\/High Tom, Tom 2\/Mid Tom, Tom 3\/Low Tom\/Floor Tom, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, hi-hat, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/psgsuites.com\/rs-event\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Drum-Voices.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11606\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Look familiar? You\u2019ve probably seen this in your Rockschool Drums grade book!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>These are just a few points we hope candidates and teachers will find useful. In addition, we have gathered a few GMQ Sample resources to help you get a better idea of this section of the RSL Exams!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ZQOWTl2TRO-HymHLIAQgtU_6E21tn-Ge\/view?usp=share_link\">Drums<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1Dm3z6MbzVqGYJr3VZSLl57AJ96VFzmjY\/view?usp=share_link\">Guitar<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1BNu5pqb1R4SfJj81I8kku-POXl9J-g9b\/view?usp=share_link\">Piano<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1o2NEanO7RioijaPHM_dNRpPaJrulxMQ6\/view?usp=share_link\">Vocals<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to see what else we\u2019re up to? Follow us on RS Event Center and Rockschool Singapore on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/rockschoolsingapore\/\">Facebook&nbsp;<\/a>and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rockschoolsingapore\/\">Instagram<\/a>&nbsp;for more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fancy reading more articles like this?&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/blog\/\">Check out our Blog Page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At every stage of learning; in every part of a Rockschool syllabus; broadening a students\u2019 musical vocabulary is at the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12160,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[126,133,124,134],"class_list":["post-12158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-category-2","tag-exam-tips","tag-general-musicianship-questions","tag-rockschool-exams","tag-rsl-classical-exams"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rs-event.sg\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}