Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Violin
Grade 5
The Grade 5 Classical Violin exam is for candidates who have fully consolidated their intermediate level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 4 and have since acquired a greater use of appropriate technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding. Candidates will have developed a good sense of expression, have a strong grasp of stylistic awareness, and there is also the opportunity to improvise, which is now individual, assured, accurate and expressive.
There are two main types of exams available at Grade 5, 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: 25 minutes (approx.)
- Performance Certificate: 22 minutes (approx.)
Purchase Your Book & Exam Entry
Classical grades for the modern musician. RSL Classical Violin Grade 5 will provide you with everything you need for your Grade 5 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.
Classical Violin Grade 5
The essential syllabus for the aspiring violinist. RSL Classical Violin Grade 5 will provide you ...
Graded Music Exam: Grade 5
All Instruments - General guidance: Graded Music Exams Overview - How to book an exam UK / Republ...
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:
- Germaine Tailleferre – Moderato, from Sonatine for Violin and Piano
- Norman Luboff Choir – Yellow Bird
- José White – La Bella Cubana
- Nikki Iles – Hay Barn Blues
- Camille Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre
- John Williams – Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- Gabriel Fauré – Berceuse, Op. 16
- Nikki Iles – Autumn Leaves
- Ed Sheeran – I See Fire (from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)
- Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
Technical Exercises
There are three groups of technical exercises at this grade: Scales, Arpeggios and Technical Studies. All are to be played unaccompanied. The tempos given for the scales and arpeggios are the recommended minimum tempos 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 unless specified otherwise.
Major Scales
Scale: G, A Major
Range: 3 Octaves
Tempo: Crotchet = 80
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow (or four quavers to a bow if played with long tonic rhythms).
Scale: Db, Eb, F Major
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Crotchet = 80
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, four quavers to a bow.
Minor Scales
Scale: G, A Minor (Natural, harmonic or melodic minor – Candidate’s choice)
Range: 3 Octaves
Tempo: Crotchet = 80
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow (or four quavers to a bow if played with long tonic rhythms).
Scale: B, C#, E Minor (Natural, harmonic or melodic minor – Candidate’s choice)
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Crotchet = 80
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, four quavers to a bow.
Chromatic Scales
Scale: Starting on G, A, Eb, E
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Crotchet = 80
Requirements: Slurred, four quavers to a bow (even notes only).
GROUP B – Arpeggios
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 are to perform the arpeggios in even quavers.
Major Arpeggios
Arpeggio: G, A Major
Range: 3 Octaves
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow.
Arpeggio: Db, Eb, F Major
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow.
Minor Arpeggios
Arpeggio: G, A Minor
Range: 3 Octaves
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow.
Arpeggio: B, C#, E Minor
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, three quavers to a bow.
Dominant 7 Arpeggios
Arpeggio: G, A dominant 7
Range: 2 Octaves
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, two quavers to a bow. Slurred, four quavers to a bow.
Arpeggio: D dominant 7
Range: 1 Octave
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, two quavers to a bow. Slurred, four quavers to a bow.
Diminished 7 Arpeggios
Arpeggio: G, D diminished 7
Range: 1 Octave
Tempo: Quaver = 130
Requirements: Separate bows. Slurred, two quavers to a bow. Slurred, four quavers to a bow.
GROUP C – Technical Studies
Candidates are to perform 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 between 8 and 12 bars long, in the key of G, A, F, Eb or Db major, or A, E, B, C# or G minor.
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 to improvise a melodic line over, to complement the backing track. The chord progression will be 16 bars long, in the key of A major or F# minor. The progression may contain occasional non-diatonic chords. The tempo will be crotchet = 120.
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 the 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 a melody. Candidates will then play back the melody to a drum backing. The melody will be a 2-bar diatonic melody in the key of F major with a range of up to an octave, starting on the root or fifth. The melody may minims, crotchets and quavers (half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes) and rests. The tempo will be crotchet = 95.
Process
The test will be played twice, each time preceded by 4 clicks. Following the second playthrough candidates will be given a further 1-bar count in, after which they should play the melody back to the drum backing.
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:
- Explain the lower number of the time signature and to show an example of this value anywhere in the music
- Identify two pitches
- State up to four rhythmic values (which can include note values and rest values)
- Identify and explain any two markings from the following:
-
- Repeat markings
- First and second time bars
- D.C. al Coda, D.S. al Coda or al Fine
- Any dynamics markings, tempo or performance markings
- State the period or genre of the piece
Instrument Knowledge
There will be one question about the candidate’s knowledge of their instrument, chosen by the examiner from the list below.
Candidates may be asked to explain:
- How to execute a glissando
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 |
