POP-ROCK GUITAR
PREPARATORY COURSE
Preparatory Course in Pop-Rock Guitar
The Pop Rock Guitar Course at Saint Louis College of Music is a preparatory course designed for entry into entry-level academic courses in Popular Music. The program is aimed at guitarists who wish to develop instrumental technique, musical awareness and artistic identity within a professional teaching context.
The course integrates individual guitar lessons, practice in instrumental ensembles and live activities, with a focus on contemporary pop rock languages. Training is performance-oriented, studying repertoire and building a personal musical project.
As for individual instrument lessons, the student can choose between electric guitar or acoustic guitar, delving into its repertoire and related expressive techniques.
Duration 1 to 3 years, depending on entry level
Attendance 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need
Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music
Language Italian and English
The pre-academic Pop Rock Guitar course varies in length from 1 to 3 years, depending on the student’s entry level and learning pace.
The teaching structure is designed to accompany progressively towardadmission to the first-level academic courses of the Saint Louis College of Music..
During the course you will acquire skills in the following areas:
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One-on-one pop rock guitar lessons, with a teacher chosen by the student, to develop instrumental technique, sound control and stylistic awareness. You can choose between electric and acoustic guitar, delving into their respective repertoire and expressive technique with a specialized teacher.
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Practices in instrumental ensembles, from trios to medium-sized ensembles, to work on Italian and international pop rock repertoire in ensemble music contexts.
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Study of guitar languages in Popular Music, with insights into rock, contemporary pop, funk and modern contaminations.
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Insight into the role of the guitar in band, including accompaniment, riffs, solo parts and interplay with the rhythm section.
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Rhythmic, melodic and harmonic reading for guitarists, applied to the instrument, with practice in sight-reading and accompaniment parts in different styles of Popular Music.
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Introduction to music technology, through the use of sequencing software, notions of recording and tools for pre-production of original music projects.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Academic Pop Rock Guitar Course, the student enters directly into the three-year Level I Academic Diploma in Popular Music, a degree recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and issued by the Saint Louis College of Music..
The academic course enables the development of technical, musical and professional skills geared toward entering the contemporary music industry, both in the live and recording studio environment.
Career outlets for the Three-Year Academic Level I Program in Pop Guitar.
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Professional guitarist for live performance, concerts, touring and recording sessions in Pop, Rock and Contemporary Music.
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Artist and band leader of original music projects, with an active role in music direction.
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Turner and session player, for record, television and multimedia productions.
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Arranger for small and medium-sized ensembles, with emphasis on balance between guitar and rhythm section.
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Author of music for soundtracks and music applied to images, for audiovisual, digital media and multimedia content.
The pre-academic Pop Rock Guitar courses at the Saint Louis College of Music do not start from scratch and assume at least two to three years of prior instrumental practice. The course is designed for students who have already acquired the technical foundations of the modern guitar and wish to structure their training with a view toentering first-level academic courses.
Entrance testing and personalization
It is possible to enter the first year or to be admitted directly to the second or third pre-academic year, depending on the level of preparation demonstrated during the pre-academic placement test.
For each subject, the student is placed in the level best suited to his or her skills. For example, it is possible to be admitted to an advanced level of guitar, an intermediate level of harmony, and a beginning level of ear training. Each discipline then follows its own path, calibrated to the student’s actual level, ensuring a coherent, effective and personalized educational progression.
How the entrance test is conducted
Placement tests for Saint Louis pre-college courses are held:
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in June
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In September, exclusively for any places still available
The entrance test evidence includes:
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Guitar test, with performance of one or more pieces of the student’s choice and any further study required by the committee (see the admission program by clicking on “Download syllabus“ above)
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Harmony test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
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Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
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Aptitude interview, aimed at assessing the candidate’s profile, awareness of the chosen path and motivation to study
