Guitar books for your next step

Choose your grade and check whether you are preparing for a Practical Grade or a Performance Grade. Our Syllabus Finder helps you match the requirements to the books you need. For Grades 1 to 5, start with the grade-matched Guitar Exam Pieces from 2019 book. For Grades 6 to 8, choose repertoire from the official syllabus lists.

Yes. The current Guitar syllabus is from 2019 and remains valid until further notice. Our Guitar Exam Pieces from 2019 books contain a selection of list pieces for Grades 1 to 5. Check the official Guitar syllabus and updates before choosing your programme, especially if you already have an older edition.

Alongside your chosen pieces, Practical Grades assess scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural skills. Guitar Scales and Arpeggios is available in Grades 1–5 and Grades 6–8 volumes; Guitar Specimen Sight-Reading Tests covers Grades 1–8 in one book. Joining the Dots for Guitar offers extra sight-reading practice for Grades 1 to 5. For aural preparation, choose the relevant grade band from our aural books.

Performance Grades assess a programme of four pieces and have no separate scales, sight-reading or aural tests. Choose at least one piece from each syllabus list, then a fourth piece that meets the own-choice requirements. Check the official Guitar Performance Grade requirements before choosing your scores.

Our Guitar Exam Pieces from 2019 series covers Grades 1 to 5. For Grades 6 to 8, use the official repertoire lists to find the separate scores you need; the scales and sight-reading books remain available through Grade 8. Start with Syllabus Finder and check each title and edition against your chosen list piece.

Guitar Prep Test 2019 supports preparation for the Prep Test. Guitar Star offers early pieces for lessons and practice. Our Music Medals Guitar books provide ensemble pieces from Copper to Platinum, with a separate Options Practice Book. Choose the level with your teacher.

Time Pieces for Guitar offers repertoire in two volumes. Scarlatti for Guitar and Weiss for Guitar provide more music to explore. For exam use, check the exact piece and edition against your current syllabus list before buying.

Recordings of the pieces on the Guitar syllabus, including accompaniment-only tracks, are available to stream or download through major music services. Check the description of your chosen Guitar Exam Pieces from 2019 book for recording information. The printed book is sold separately from these music services.