Printed Book or E-book? A Simple Guide for RSL Students and Parents
If you are trying to decide between a printed RSL syllabus book and an RSL Music Exam e-book, this guide is for you.
Both formats contain the materials you need to prepare for your RSL exam. But they offer different experiences when it comes to how you practise, how you access your materials, and how you prepare for exam day.
Here is a simple 10-point comparison to help you understand what each format offers.
| Printed Book | RSL Music Exam E-book (powered by RiFF) | |
| Sheet music | Printed on paper | Digital sheet music, with PDF available to download and print |
| Audio | Download code included — audio files managed separately | Built into the e-book — direct access to audio without entering the book code or managing separate files |
| Video demonstrations | Not available | Included — with multiple camera angles and close-up hand views |
| Loop difficult sections | Not available | Yes — select a section and repeat it automatically |
| Tempo control | Not available | Yes — slow down or speed up playback |
| Offline access | Always available | Yes — PDF and MP3 can be saved for offline use. Bring it with you to practise and revise wherever you are |
| Works on multiple devices | One physical copy | Yes — tablet, phone or laptop |
| Notation options | Fixed — printed as provided | Flexible — options such as full score, TAB or chord charts, depending on the instrument and syllabus |
| Exam Mode | Not applicable | Yes — hides visual learning aids to recreate printed exam conditions |
| Can be used in the exam | Yes | Yes — for performance pieces, with Exam Mode activated |
A Few Things Worth Knowing
The table gives you a quick overview, but there are a few details worth understanding before choosing your format.
About the Digital Copy
Choosing an e-book does not mean students have to practise from a screen all the time.
The sheet music can be downloaded as a PDF and printed for practice. This can be particularly helpful for parents who prefer their children to practise from physical pages rather than use a tablet throughout their entire practice session.
Students can therefore enjoy the best of both options: use the printed PDF for everyday practice, while returning to the e-book when they need audio, video or interactive practice tools.
About Audio Access
With a printed syllabus book, the supporting audio is accessed using the download code provided with the book. Students then need to download and manage the audio files separately.
With the e-book, the audio is available directly within the digital learning experience. There is no need to manually enter the book code or search for a separate audio file.
Simply open the piece and access the corresponding audio alongside the score.
About Offline Access
The e-book requires an internet connection to open and use its interactive features. However, the PDF sheet music and MP3 audio can be downloaded in advance and used offline.
This means students can bring their materials with them to practise and revise wherever they are, even when Wi-Fi is not available.
About Using the E-book in Your Exam
RSL Music Exam e-books can be used during Rockschool exams for performance pieces, provided the required settings are followed:
- Exam Mode must be switched on before the exam begins. This hides the visual learning aids.
- If your piece has a backing track, switch the audio from the Full Track to the Backing Track after activating Exam Mode.
- Video playback must be hidden during the exam.
- Do not change any settings or turn off Exam Mode once the exam has started, as this may invalidate your exam.
- In face-to-face exams, the e-book is used for performance pieces only. Technical exercises are supplied by the examiner.
About Backup Copies
Internet connections at exam venues can sometimes be unreliable.
Even if you plan to use the e-book in your exam, it is always a good idea to bring a downloaded PDF or printed copy as a backup, just in case.
A little preparation can help avoid unnecessary stress on exam day.
Which Format Is Right for You?
If you prefer working from physical pages, the e-book gives you the flexibility to download and print your sheet music for practice, and to use in the exams. At the same time, you can return to the digital version whenever you need access to audio, video demonstrations or interactive practice tools.
This means you do not have to choose between the familiarity of printed music and the convenience of digital learning. The e-book gives you both options in one place — allowing you to practise from printed pages when you prefer, while having the full range of digital resources available whenever you need them.
Ultimately, it is about finding the way of practising that works best for you at different stages of your musical preparation.
Where to Get Your E-book
RSL Music Exam e-books are available now from our Singapore e-shop at shop.rs-event.sg.
Visit rslawards.com/riff to learn more about the RiFF platform, or come and speak to us at RSL London @ Funan. We are happy to help you find the right e-book for your grade and instrument.
RSL London @ Funan
107 North Bridge Road, #04-10
Funan Mall, Singapore 175109
(65) 6016 9395 | WhatsApp (65) 9830 9519
