A Clear Path to Playing Jazz Guitar, One Grade at a Time

Whether you're just starting your jazz journey or preparing for the bandstand, the MWG Jazz Guitar Exams provide a structured, real-world approach to leveling up your playing — one performance, one tune, one milestone at a time.

These are performance-based exams, focused on real music, not abstract theory. You’ll get live feedback, a clear roadmap, and the support of the MWG Studio community behind you.

🎸 Your MWG Exam Journey – Step-by-Step Timeline

1. Start Your Prep

→ Purchase the Grade Syllabus ($25 USD) or Exam Prep Pack to begin ($200 USD).
→ Prepare on your own or work directly with Matt using the included private lessons (if you choose the Prep Pack).

2. Book Your Exam (Prices Vary on Grade Level)

→ When you're nearly ready, book your live Zoom exam for a date about 4 weeks out (Prices below).
→ You'll receive instructions for setup and confirmation right away.

3. Optional Mock Exam (3–4 Weeks Before)

→ Submit a full mock exam video for personalized feedback ($25 USD).
→ Use the feedback to polish your playing and focus your final prep.

4. Take Your Live Exam

→ Perform your live exam on Zoom with Matt or a certified MWG examiner.
→ You’ll be assessed in real time and encouraged throughout.

5. Get Your Results

→ Within 24 hours, you'll receive detailed feedback and your certificate (if you pass).
→ Celebrate your progress — and start planning your next grade!

🧭 How the Exams Work

• Live Zoom Exam with expert feedback and certification
• Flexible Scheduling — book when you're ready
• Real Musical Context — play tunes, comp changes, improvise solos, and more
• All Exams Are Memorized — no reading from charts during the exam
• Optional Mock Exam — submit a video before your live exam for detailed feedback
• Only Open to MWG Studio Members

💡 What You Get with Every Exam

• Live Zoom exam (30–45 minutes)
• Personalized certificate (High Distinction, Distinction, High Pass, Pass)
• Written feedback on each section with recommendations for growth
• Grade-specific syllabus or Exam Pack PDF (Additional fee, see below)
• Interactive backing tracks

💰 Pricing by Level

Level - Description - Fee (USD)

Grades 1–2 - Foundational skills, basic jazz tunes - $75

Grades 3–4 - Intermediate harmony, voice leading - $100

Grades 5–6 - Advanced comping, soloing, bebop - $150

Grades 7–8 - Transcription, solo guitar, modal jazz - $200

Diploma 1–2 - Professional readiness, analysis - $250

Diploma 3 - Mastery of jazz interpretation - $300

Diploma 4 - Artist-level recital & performance notes - $350

📘 Grade Specific Syllabus ($25 USD)

Each MWG Jazz Guitar Exam Syllabus gives you everything you need to confidently prepare for your grade or diploma.

Whether you're just getting started or tackling advanced material, your syllabus serves as a step-by-step guide to success.

📦 Every Syllabus Includes:

• ✅ Full Overview of your exam and how it works
• ✅ Detailed Breakdown of each section: Technique, Repertoire, Sight Reading, and Knowledge
• ✅ Exact Requirements (scales, arpeggios, chords, transcriptions, vocabulary, etc.)
• ✅ Sample Fingerings for technique and chord shapes
• ✅ Official Lead Sheet for your required tune(s)
• ✅ Sample Sight Reading Chart
• ✅ Mock Exam Information and suggested timelines
• ✅ Practice Routines for each phase of prep: beginning, mid-point, final stretch
• ✅ Exam Day Checklist and setup tips
• ✅ FAQs specific to your grade

Perfect for students who like to stay organized and know exactly what’s expected — whether you're preparing on your own or working with Matt through the Exam Prep Pack.

💵 Cost: $25 USD per syllabus

📧 To purchase, email: [email protected]

Include your name and the grade or diploma level you're interested in, and Matt will send you the syllabus and next steps for exam prep.

📚 MWG Jazz Guitar Exam Requirements by Grade/Diploma

A brief overview of each level’s focus. Full syllabi include fingerings, lead sheets, backing tracks, and detailed practice guidance.

🎓 Grade 1 – Getting Started

• Repertoire: Summertime
• Technique: A minor pentatonic & A blues scale, shell chords (Am7, D9, E7)
• Vocabulary: 2–3 short blues and ii–V–I lines from the Exam Pack
• Sight Reading: Basic comping with rhythm slashes and chord names
• Knowledge: Composer background, blues form, scale names

🎓 Grade 2 – First Jazz Steps

• Repertoire: Blue Bossa
• Technique: Dorian and Mixolydian scales, arpeggios (7th chords)
• Vocabulary: 3–4 lines using guide tones and basic syncopation
• Sight Reading: Chord chart reading with simple rhythm interpretation
• Knowledge: Song form, minor ii–V–I, composer, and style context

🎓 Grade 3 – Expanding the Core

• Repertoire: Autumn Leaves
• Technique: Major & minor bebop scales, basic extensions (9ths)
• Voice Leading: ii–V–I in major keys, 3-note shell chord progressions
• Sight Reading: Comp over full chord chart with syncopated rhythms
• Knowledge: Key centers, form structure, swing phrasing basics
• Transcription: Matt’s 1-chorus solo on Autumn Leaves

🎓 Grade 4 – Developing Fluency

• Repertoire: Take the A Train and Blue Monk
• Technique: Altered scales, dominant bebop scale, arpeggios with tensions
• Voice Leading: ii–V–I in major & minor keys
• Sight Reading: Comp or solo from standard-form jazz charts
• Knowledge: Jazz harmony, intro to historical context
• Transcription: Matt’s 1-chorus solo on Take the A Train

🎓 Grade 5 – Advancing Improvisation

• Repertoire: Solar, Georgia On My Mind
• Technique: Full 2-octave bebop, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales
• Chords: Drop 2 voicings, rootless 7alt and 13b9 chords
• Vocabulary: 4 lines in 12 keys (2 major, 2 minor ii–V–I)
• Voice Leading: 2 major + 2 minor ii–V–I across all 12 keys
• Sight Reading: Comp + solo over a full jazz standard chart
• Knowledge: Bebop theory, swing feel, tune history
• Transcription: Matt’s 2-chorus solo on Solar

🎓 Grade 6 – Harmonic Control & Style

• Repertoire: Lady Bird, Black Orpheus
• Technique: Bebop language in all 12 keys, diminished scales (whole-half, half-whole)
• Voice Leading: Advanced ii–V–I in four fretboard areas
• Vocabulary: 4 lines in all 12 keys
• Sight Reading: Solo comp + improv at the level of Black Orpheus
• Knowledge: Hard bop era, stylistic traits, composer background
• Transcription: Matt’s solo on Lady Bird or Black Orpheus

🎓 Grade 7 – Language & Interpretation

• Repertoire: Days of Wine and Roses, Corcovado, My Funny Valentine + 2 from previous grades
• Solo Guitar: Jazz blues in F — chord melody, comping, and improvisation
• Vocabulary: 4 lines (2 major, 2 minor ii–V–I) in all 12 keys
• Voice Leading: Major/minor ii–V–I in all positions
• Sight Reading: Read/perform solo guitar chord chart at Days of Wine and Roses level
• Knowledge: Modal jazz, artist traits, phrasing choices
• Transcription: Grant Green solo on Cool Blues

🎓 Grade 8 – Artistic Integration

• Repertoire: Oleo, Impressions, Body and Soul + 2 from previous grades
• Solo Guitar: Jazz blues in G, Bb, Eb, or C — integrated comping and soloing
• Vocabulary: 4 lines in 12 keys (advanced voice leading and phrasing)
• Voice Leading: Major/minor ii–V–I in 4 positions across all 12 keys
• Sight Reading: Solo guitar chart at the level of Oleo
• Knowledge: Blue Note era, Wes/Coltrane/Rollins, modal + harmonic analysis
• Transcription: Wes Montgomery solo on Movin’ Along (first 4 choruses)

🏅 Diploma 1 – Professional Readiness

• Repertoire: Have You Met Miss Jones, Desafinado, Round Midnight + 2 of examiner’s choice
• Transcription: Pat Martino solo (assigned or selected)
• Solo Guitar: Rhythm changes, integrated comping and solo
• Essay + Verbal Defense: Short artist profile and discussion (Wes/Metheny focus)
• Technique: Advanced ii–V–I, extended chords, chord substitutions
• Knowledge: Stylistic fluency, recording legacy, modern jazz harmony

🏅 Diploma 2 – Developing an Artist’s Voice

• Repertoire: All the Things You Are, Bright Size Life, one bossa, one ballad, one bebop standard
• Transcription: Pat Metheny solo + chord melody excerpt
• Solo Guitar: Advanced form (modal, mixed meter, rubato intro/outro)
• Essay + Verbal Defense: Detailed stylistic and historical breakdown of 2 artists
• Knowledge: Recording analysis, groove/time approach, improvisation language

🏅 Diploma 3 – Artistic Mastery I

• Repertoire: Giant Steps, Anthropology, Witch Hunt, one lyrical ballad
• Transcription: Jim Hall live solo — single-line and chord work
• Solo Guitar: Bird blues and full chord melody
• Essay: 1,000-word artistic analysis of your repertoire
• Knowledge: Deep theory application, critical listening, interpretation insights

🏅 Diploma 4 – Artistic Mastery II

• Recital: Full 6-song program (including 1 original composition)
• Performance Notes: Written reflections on each tune
• Artist Statement: 1,000–1,500 words + oral defense
• Transcription: Your choice — artist-approved solo matching your recital aesthetic
• Knowledge: Advanced harmonic design, rhythmic innovation, stylistic fluency, artistic vision

🎧 Backing Tracks Included

Each Exam Pack includes three backing tracks that simulate real-world playing scenarios.

You can choose to use Level 2 or 3 in your live exam. Here's an example of the backing track layout typical of Grade 1.

• Level 1 (Practice): Melody ➝ Solo ➝ Comp for examiner ➝ Melody again
• Level 2 (Exam-ready): Melody/Chord melody ➝ 2 solo choruses ➝ Comp for examiner ➝ Melody/Chord melody
• Level 3 (Advanced): Chord Melody/Melody ➝ 2 solos (eyes closed encouraged!) ➝ Comp ➝ Trade 4s ➝ Chord Melody/Melody

🎯 Exam Prep Pack (Optional – Not Included in Exam Fee)

Want personalized support before your exam?

The Exam Prep Pack gives you focused coaching and feedback to help you feel fully prepared.

$200 USD (normally $250)
Includes:

• ✅ Four 30-minute private lessons with Matt
• ✅ Grade-specific syllabus + Exam Pack PDF
• ✅ One mock exam video with written feedback

Note: This is separate from your exam registration and optional — but highly recommended for students looking for guidance and confidence before exam day.

📧 To purchase: [email protected]

📝 How to Register for an Exam

Just send an email with the following details:

📧 [email protected]

Include:

• Your full name
• The grade or diploma you’d like to take
• A Rough date range for the exam (month, week, day)
• Whether you want the exam only, the syllabus, or the Exam Prep Pack
• Any questions you may have

You'll get a reply with next steps and available exam times.

🖥️ Tech Requirements

• Guitar (electric, acoustic, or nylon)
• Zoom (desktop preferred)
• Quality mic, webcam, or interface setup
• Stable internet connection
• Quiet space to perform

❓Still Not Sure Which Grade to Choose?

Just email Matt with a few notes about your playing:

• What tunes or techniques you've worked on
• Whether you’re comfortable soloing, comping, reading changes
• What kind of feedback you’re hoping for

He’ll help you choose the grade that fits your current level and goals.

🎸 Ready to book your exam or get started?

📧 Email Matt at [email protected]

Let’s build your jazz guitar skills — one tune, one performance, one milestone at a time.

Keep Growing.