RSL Contemporary vs Classical Piano – How different are they?

A repeating theme we get from piano teachers whose students approach them asking to switch to a more contemporary syllabus is, “How can I teach pop piano syllabus when I am classically trained?”

In this article, we will focus specifically on the Rockschool Piano, and the new RSL Classical Piano syllabuses.

Technical SkillsThere are either three or four groups of technical exercises, depending on the grade:

• Group A – scalesGroup B – arpeggios/broken chordsGroup C – chord voicings Group D – a choice of stylistic studies, short pieces that explore a specific style/genre (Please note: Group D only exists at Grades 6–8!).

Both the RSL Classical and Rockschool Piano Technical Exercises are designed to introduce a gradual increase of expressive techniques and ideas that collectively enable each player to attain a true sense of musicality. Whether that’s achieved in tone modification, ornamentation, or articulation; each technique can be freely applied to any specific style a player chooses to identify with.

Candidates in both syllabuses will be marked on tone quality and consistency, maintenance of pulse, and accuracy. To make the long story short, technical skills are the same between both!

Performance RepertoireIn true RSL fashion, both syllabuses feature a wide array of genres and artistes from many different countries and cultural backgrounds.The most apparent difference in the repertoire between the Rockschool and RSL Classical Syllabuses is the backing tracks for majority of the Contemporary Syllabus. Truly, this can be viewed as an opportunity for ensemble playing (so much more fun than just a metronome tick-ticking away!), learning to work with other musicians to paint a sonic tapestry.There are, however Piano Solo arrangements in the contemporary selection to ease learners coming from a Classical background into the world of contemporary playing.

Supporting Tests & General MusicianshipSupporting Tests for both RSL Classical and Rockschool Piano syllabuses include:

• A choice between Sight Reading or Contemporary Improvisation for all grades from Debut to Grade 8 – this is to give Classical oriented learners a chance to explore some cotemporary style performance for interested students,An Ear Test that assesses the candidate’s sonic skills through Melodic Recall, and Harmonic Recall (contemporary only) – a critical skill to have that aids in composition, improvisation and understanding music, and lastly, but certainly not the least,General Musicianship Questions that demonstrate the candidate’s knowledge on music theory, musical styles, and understanding of their instrument, essential to any Piano Player!

Assessment Criteria

Photo credit: RS Event Center

For both RSL Classical, and Rockschool Piano, the assessment criteria are simple and straightforward:

1. Command of Instrument The quality of the sound produced from the instrument, including the consistency of sound/tone, control of sound/tone commensurate with grade.
2. Sync or Pulse Alignment of the performance to backing track, metronome or applied to a solo performance, observing notation markings. For unaccompanied pieces candidates should maintain a secure internal pulse and adjust the pulse where instructed within the music.
3. Accuracy and Understanding Representing the written notation accurately, except by instruction through performance notes, or interpreting the written part with equivalent skills demonstrated. Secure understanding of musical structure evidenced through transitions of phrases, bars and sections.
4. Style and Expression An expressive and commanding performance of the notated material dictated by the demands of the performance piece.

All in all, there isn’t really too much of a difference! Apart from the repertoire selection, and slightly more chord work in the contemporary syllabus, both syllabuses are easy to cross over into, and pieces from one syllabus can be taken to be played in the other as Free Choice Piece. 

Side note: If Improvisation is to be argued as a purely contemporary musical skill, remember, many Classical composers were notorious improvisers! Have you heard of Beethoven’s musical duel in Vienna?

J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, and so many others are reported to have improvised performances to audiences regularly, entrancing them in the process, allowing them to witness real-time, spontaneous composition.

In fact, in Bach’s time, improvising a Fugue was an essential skill! So how did this skill disappear from Classical training?

Perhaps we can look at getting started at reviving this skill for young musicians in a future Blog. Stay tuned!

You can find very helpful and informative Starter Packs for the Rockschool Piano (Contemporary) and RSL Classical Piano linked here:

• Rockschool Piano (Contemporary)
• RSL Classical