RSL Classical

Learn to Play Violin

Celebrate the rich diversity of violin composers with RSL Classical Violin. The syllabus features works by male and female composers from the global majority, covering Classical, Classical Crossover, Jazz, and Pop genres. Repertoire is accompanied by exemplar audio, backing track and a piano score, allowing for fully immersive and flexible practice and exam preparation. The syllabus also includes two pop tracks per grade with full band or piano backing tracks. Through exposure to a variety of styles and instrument-specific techniques, students will improve their musicianship and mastery of the violin.

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Violin Mastery

The pieces at each grade expose students to an array of styles and instrument-specific techniques, contributing to improved musicianship. Technical exercises and rudiments will reinforce the fundamentals of violin playing, with sight-reading and improvisation training contributing to increased musical know-how.

Diverse Repertoire

At each grade there are eight benchmarked classical tracks and, for the first time ever in a violin syllabus, two popular music arrangements at each grade. Diverse and engaging, including greater representation of female composers and composers from the global majority, our repertoire will challenge and inspire students as they develop their violin technique.

Outstanding Composers & Artists

RSL Classical Violin includes repertoire from the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Clara Schumann, Joseph White, Chevalier de Saint Georges, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Ignatius Sancho, Lili Boulanger, Jean Sibelius, Florence Price, George Frideric Handel, Germaine Tailleferre, Nikki Iles, Bela Bartok, Grazyna Bacewicz, Felipe Gutierrez y Espinosa, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, John Williams, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd Jamiroquai, Clean Bandit, Coldplay and Beyonce… to name but a few!

Audio Excellence

Backing tracks and exemplar performances are included for all performance pieces. Each backing track has been professionally recorded at commercial quality to give your students the feeling of doing a fully-fledged performance wherever they might be practising. Slick count-ins and fresh arrangements mean every practise session can feel like a concert performance!

UCAS Points

Grades 6 to 8 are UCAS recognised aiding Higher Education applications. Candidates can gain up to 30 UCAS points for completion of these Level 3 qualifications.

Academically Rigorous

RSL Classical Violin has been designed with industry relevance, student engagement, and academic rigour in mind. Upon completion of an RSL Graded Music Exam, every candidate will have earned a globally recognised qualification, which has been designed to support progression routes towards higher education and the creative industries.

RSL Classical Violin x HER Ensemble

RSL Awards is proud to have collaborated with Her Ensemble, the UK’s first all female and non-binary string ensemble, and state51 to showcase some of the incredible music from the RSL Classical Violin syllabus, as part of The state51 Conservatoire Sessions series.

How it works

Whether you’re learning the violin independently or with a music teacher, it’s easy to get started learning with RSL Classical.

Download the syllabus and buy your grade book

Our publications provide you with everything you need: professionally arranged and produced repertoire alongside innovative technical exercises and supporting tests.

Start practicing with our innovative resources

From our physical publications to our interactive e-books and Learning Platform app, our teaching and learning resources are here to support you become a better musician.

Sit the exam and reap your rewards

If you’re ready and want to take a Graded Music Exam, achieve your very own RSL Classical qualification after putting in the hours of dedication towards mastering your instrument.

Violin
Debut

The Debut Classical Violin exam is for candidates who have been learning a short time and have developed elementary skills, techniques, coordination and musical understanding.

There are two main types of exams available at Debut, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate, which can be booked as a face-to-face or live-streamed exam or submitted as a recorded digital exam.

Estimated Examination Time:

Grade Exam: 15 minutes (approx.)
Performance Certificate: 12 minutes (approx.)

Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry

Classical grades for the modern musician. RSL Classical Violin Debut will provide you with everything you need for your Debut exam, including a diverse range of repertoire, a truly innovative range of supporting tests and a vast array of professionally arranged and recorded backing tracks.

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Classical Violin Debut

The essential syllabus for the aspiring violinist. RSL Classical Violin Debut will provide you wi...

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Graded Music Exam: Debut

All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...

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Performance Pieces

The performance pieces in the grade book can be used for both the Grade Exam and Performance Certificate and are designed so candidates can demonstrate the required assessment criteria.

Featured Repertoire:

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – All is Found (from Frozen 2)
Kathy and David Blackwell – City Lights
Caroline Lumsden and Ben Attwood – Trick, Treat or Tango
Thomas Gregory – Footprints in the Snow
Bill Withers – Lean on Me
Thomas Gregory – Flapping Around
Beyoncé – If I Were a Boy
Chinese folk song – Jasmine Flower Song
Mihailo Trandafilovski – Plucking Squares
Kathy and David Blackwell – Off to Paris

Technical Exercises

There are two groups of technical exercises at this grade: scales and Technical studies. all are to be played unaccompanied. The tempo given for the scales is the recommended minimum tempo for this grade.

GROUP A – Scales

Candidates are to prepare all of the following. in the exam, the examiner will request a selection to be performed, stating how they are to be performed, from the requirements listed in the table. Candidates can choose to perform the scales in ‘even notes’ (quavers) or with ‘long tonic’ rhythms.

Scale: Major Scales – G, D, A major
Range: 1 Octave
Tempo: Crotchet = 50
Requirements: Separate bows

GROUP B – Technical Studies

Candidates are to perform their choice of one of the three technical studies given in the grade book. The examiner will ask which study the candidate has prepared.

Supporting Tests

Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation

Before seeing the tests, the examiner will ask whether the candidate wishes to perform a piece of sight reading or take a test of improvisation and interpretation. once the candidate has decided, they cannot change their mind.

Sight Reading

Requirements
Candidates will be given a short piece of previously unseen music to play, unaccompanied. The piece will be 4 bars long, based on the open strings. The tempo will be = 84.

Process
Candidates will be given 90 seconds to practise, after which they will perform the test. before the practice time begins, candidates can ask if they would like to hear the tempo on a metronome at the start of, or throughout their practice time. additionally, candidates may ask to hear the tempo before the assessed part of the test begins.

Improvisation & Interpretation

Requirements
Candidates will be given a previously unseen chord progression, over which they will improvise rhythms using open strings, to complement the backing track. The chord progression will be 5 bars long, in the key of G or D major. The tempo will be = 60.

Process
Candidates will first be given 90 seconds to practise. before the practice time begins, candidates will be given the choice of a metronome click throughout the practice time or a 1-bar count in at the beginning. After practice time, the backing track will be played twice. Candidates can rehearse during the first playthrough, before performing their improvisation over the second playthrough. only the improvisation over the second playthrough will be assessed. Each playthrough will begin with a 1-bar count in. The backing track is continuous throughout, so once the first playthrough has finished, the count in to the second playthrough will start immediately.

Ear Tests

Candidates will be given a test of melodic recall.

Melodic Recall

Requirements
The examiner will play two notes. Candidates will be asked to identify whether the second note is higher or lower than the first. The notes will both be minims (half notes) at = 95.

Process
The test will be played twice, each time preceded by a 4-beat vocal count in. After the second playthrough candidates will give their answer. Candidates should use the words ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ in their answers.

General Musicianship Questions

Candidates will be asked five questions. Four of these will be music knowledge questions, based on any one of the pieces performed in the exam, the fifth will be about knowledge of the candidate’s own instrument. Candidates can use brief demonstrations to support their verbal explanations.

Music Knowledge

There will be four music knowledge questions in relation to one of the pieces performed in the exam. Candidates will be asked which piece they would like to be asked about. if the candidate’s copy of the chosen piece contains extensive handwritten notes the examiner may either use their own version of the score as the basis for the questions or they may request that candidates select a different piece.

Candidates may be asked to identify:

The stave
The treble clef
The pitch of one note
The rhythmic value of one note from the following: Minim (half note), Crotchet (quarter note)

Instrument Knowledge

There will be one question about the candidate’s knowledge of their instrument, chosen by the examiner from the list below.

Candidates will be asked to point to one of the following:

Parts of the violin: neck, fingerboard, tuning pegs, bridge
Parts of the bow: heel, tip, stick, hair

Exam Structure

There are two types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate.

Grade Exam

3 Performance Pieces (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces)	Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first	These account for 60% of the exam mark
Technical Exercises (Section A, B, C and D for Level 3 qualifications)	Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first	These account for 15% of the exam mark
Sight Reading or Improvisation & Interpretation (Debut to Grade 5); Quick Study Pieces (Grade 6 to Grade 8)	Candidates are given an unseen test to prepare and perform	This accounts for 10% of the exam marks
2 Ear Tests	Candidates respond to 2 aural tests.	These account for 10% of the exam marks
5 General Musicianship Questions	Candidates answer 5 questions based on one of the pieces performed	These account for 5% of the exam marks

Performance Certificate

5 Performance Pieces only (three of these can be Free Choice Pieces)

These account for 20% of the exam mark each.

Assessment Criteria

Performance Pieces

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	18-20	15-17	12-14	6-11	0-5
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Style & Expression	Consistently convincing projection of the music.	Mostly convincing projection of the music.	Some convincing projection of the music.	Music not convincingly projected.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Technical Exercises

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	13–15	11–12	9–10	4–8	0–3
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Ear Tests

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	9-10	7-8	6	3-5	0-2
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Supporting Tests

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	9-10	7-8	6	3-5	0-2
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

General Musicianship Questions

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	5 correct responses	4 correct responses	3 correct responses	2 correct responses	0-1 correct responses

Performance Certificate

Attainment Band	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Below Pass	Below Pass 2
Mark Range	18-20	15-17	12-14	6-11	0-5
Command of Instrument	Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout	Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall	Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality	Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Sync or Pulse	Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained	Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Accuracy & Understanding	All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time.	Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time.	Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time.	Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance
Style & Expression	Consistently convincing projection of the music.	Mostly convincing projection of the music.	Some convincing projection of the music.	Music not convincingly projected.	No attempt and/or incomplete performance

Violin
Grade 1

The Grade 1 Classical Violin exam is for candidates who have mastered the key Debut level skills and have since acquired greater use of technique, rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. There is also an opportunity to build on basic improvisation.

There are two main types of exams available at Grade 1, either a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate, which can be booked as a face-to-face or live-streamed exam or submitted as a recorded digital exam.