Lidia
RSL Grade 1Hallelujah (excerpt)
Lidia performing a short section of Hallelujah from her RSL Grade 1 piano syllabus. Recorded at our Harrow studio.
RSL · Harrow, HA2
RSL Rock & Pop Piano Lessons in Harrow
RSL (Rockschool) graded exams for students who want rock, pop and contemporary keys, taught by a BIMM London performer.
RSL Awards (Rockschool) is the graded route for contemporary piano and keyboard. If a student is more drawn to rock, pop, funk and modern styles than to classical repertoire, RSL keeps them motivated while still building real technique.
Declan, who holds an Honours degree from BIMM London and gigs across the city, leads our contemporary teaching. We prepare RSL from Debut through to Grade 8.
What we cover
Music students actually want to play
Rock, pop, funk and contemporary repertoire from the current RSL syllabus, so practice feels like playing, not homework.
Real technique under the hood
RSL still develops solid technique, timing and theory. The styles are modern; the foundations are the same ones a classical player builds.
Improvisation and ear
RSL rewards improvisation and playing by ear. With a working gigging teacher, students learn these the way real musicians use them.
A genuine alternative path
For teenagers especially, RSL can be the difference between sticking with the piano and giving it up. It is a serious, recognised qualification.
We cover RSL Debut and Grades 1 to 8 for piano and keyboard. Lessons run at our Harrow studio (HA2), in your home across HA1 to HA8, or online.
Hear our students
Real performances from the studio
Lidia
RSL Grade 1Hallelujah (excerpt)
Lidia performing a short section of Hallelujah from her RSL Grade 1 piano syllabus. Recorded at our Harrow studio.
Callum
IntermediateLa La Land (Callum's twist)
Callum performing his own arrangement of the La La Land theme at a recent piano recital. Personal interpretations like this are how students start owning the music rather than just playing it.
Common questions
Is RSL a real qualification?
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Yes. RSL Awards grades are Ofqual-regulated and carry UCAS points at Grades 6 to 8, exactly like ABRSM and Trinity. They are simply focused on contemporary music.
Who is RSL best for?
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Students who are more inspired by rock, pop and modern styles than by classical pieces, and players who want to improvise. It keeps motivation high while still building technique.
Can a student do RSL and classical?
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Absolutely. Many of our students blend contemporary and classical work. We shape the balance around what keeps them playing.
Who teaches the contemporary lessons?
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Declan Rafton, a BIMM London Honours graduate who performs across London in blues, rock and jazz, leads our contemporary and RSL teaching.
Start with a £10 trial
Thirty minutes with a conservatoire-trained teacher. We will hear where you are and map out the path to your next grade.