Multi-style piano grades for 21st-century players in Singapore
The new Piano syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) takes candidates from Premiere to Grade 8 on a single graded pathway that blends classical technique with contemporary styles. Within one book, candidates move between Baroque and Romantic writing, film and TV themes, pop and rock ballads, jazz-coloured pieces and original RSL tracks so practice feels like real music-making, not just exam drills.
Each grade combines repertoire, technical work, ear tests and a choice of Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation. Early grades build independent readers, mid grades develop versatile performers ready for school CCAs, bands and recitals, and higher grades shape audition-ready programmes for DSA, arts routes and further study in Singapore and beyond.
Why New Piano Syllabus 2025
One graded route beyond classical-only exams
The new Piano syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) gives candidates a single exam pathway that covers both classical and contemporary styles, instead of separating “exam pieces” from the music they play for enjoyment. Core classical language sits alongside chord-based writing, groove and modern harmony, so candidates can move between sonatinas, ballads, film themes and band-style charts within one coherent syllabus and technical framework.
Music and audio that feel relevant
Each grade book offers a mix of styles supported by professionally produced audio, including full-band and piano-only tracks. Candidates prepare pieces that sound close to the music they actually listen to, making practice more motivating and supporting steady progress with graded piano exams in Singapore, rather than stopping at the usual mid grades.
From score reader to independent musician
Beyond pieces and scales, Rockschool Piano develops fluent notation reading and chord skills through technical exercises, ear tests and the choice of Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation at every grade. Candidates learn to respond to chord symbols, improvise over backing tracks and talk about their music, so they can perform with or without a full score in ensembles, studios and live settings, not only in the exam room.
Serious, flexible exams that fit Singapore contexts
As part of RSL Awards’ regulated graded music exam system, the new Piano syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) offers internationally recognised qualifications with Grade Exams, Performance Certificates and digital exam options. Exams can be scheduled around school terms, and higher grades contribute to school portfolios, Singapore DSA and arts-programme applications, scholarship auditions and university entries where both classical and contemporary piano achievement are valued.
How new Piano syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) exams are structured
The new Piano Syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) graded exams from Premiere to Grade 8 follow RSL’s standard structure of performance pieces, technical work and supporting tests. For full formats and options, please see Exam Overview (link to Exam Overview) and the syllabus specification.
Downloads
Download the new Piano Syllabus 2025 (Rockschool Piano 2025) for free. Here you will also find a range of resources to support your journey with Rockschool.
To give teachers and students plenty of flexibility, there will be a transition period until 31 August 2026, where both the 2019 and 2025 Piano syllabuses can be used for exams. This means you can continue preparing candidates with the previous piano syllabus while gradually introducing the new one, ensuring a smooth and stress-free changeover. Exams for the new syllabus can be entered from October 2025.
- Piano Syllabus (2025 Edition) - Syllabus Specification
- Piano Syllabus (2019 Edition) - Syllabus Specification
- Rockschool Piano 2025 Technical Exercises - Graded Certificate (Recorded Digital Exams)
- Rockschool Piano 2019 Technical Exercises - Graded Certificate (Recorded Digital Exams) Available until Aug 2026