Bowed Strings
About Bowed Strings
We offer a range of assessments for violin, viola, cello and double bass players.
Face-to-face Practical Grades and digital Performance Grades are available from Initial Grade to Grade 8.
The Prep Test is a fun first assessment with no pass or fail and Music Medals (UK only) are teacher-led assessments for the early stages of learning.
For advanced players we offer ARSM, LRSM and FRSM diplomas in Music Performance.
Scroll down to find out more about Practical Grades and Performance Grades or click through for more information on the Prep Test, Music Medals and diplomas.
New syllabuses
Bowed Strings syllabuses from 2024 - refreshed repertoire lists for Practical Grades and Performance Grades.
- Refreshed repertoire for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
- A wide range of composers and a greater choice of music
- No changes to scales and arpeggios, sight-reading or aural tests in the Practical Grade syllabus
You can use the new syllabuses in exams from 1 January 2024 onwards. There is also a one-year overlap period, ending on 31 December 2024. During this period you can choose your three set pieces from the previous 2020-2023 syllabus.
Books and resources
We have a range of books, recordings and digital sheet music to support teachers and learners preparing for Bowed Strings exams from 2024. See below for more details.
- Available for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
- A single book containing exam pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and access to recordings and accompaniment tracks through a unique download code.
- Exciting repertoire, from new commissions to core classics and familiar tunes.
- Violin Exam Pieces from 2024 (Grades 1 to 8) and Cello Exam Pieces from 2024 (Grades 1 to 5) with nine pieces per grade
- Available in three formats: part only (Grade 1 to 5); part and piano accompaniment; part, piano accompaniment and audio
- The audio edition includes a unique download code to access recordings of all nine pieces, plus accompaniment tracks to support practice or use in Performance Grade exams.
- A selection from the Violin Exam Pieces and Cello Exam Pieces books, as well as some Cello and Double Bass repertoire
Recordings of all pieces from Violin Exam Pieces, Cello Exam Pieces and Initial Grade Exam Packs, available as individual downloads (full performance track and backing track).
Audio recordings of Violin Exam Pieces from 2024 (Grades Initial to 8) and Cello Exam Pieces from 2024 (Grades Initial to 5) are available in our Violin Practice Partner and Cello Practice Partner apps as in-app purchases.
Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8
Practical Grades are accredited face-to-face exams. They focus on all-round musical knowledge and skills, including performance. In the exam you perform three pieces, play scales and arpeggios, and take sight-reading and aural tests.
You can find general information and additional guidance for all subjects on our Practical Grades page.
Qualification Specification, syllabus and repertoire lists
The Qualification Specification includes the syllabus and repertoire lists. You can download a copy of the Bowed Strings qualification specification on this page. We also have specifications for the individual instruments. Use the instrument selector above to go to the page for your instrument.
Specification validity and overlap period
The ‘from 2024’ specification is valid from 1 January 2024. The 2020–2023 specification is still valid until 31 December 2024. During the one-year overlap period you must choose your three pieces from the same specification.
Grade 6 to 8 entry requirements
If you’re taking Practical Grade 6, 7 or 8 you must pass Grade 5 (or above) in one of the following before you book: Music Theory, Practical Musicianship, a Jazz Practical Grade.
You can find a list of accepted alternatives on our Practical Grades page.
Downloads
The qualification specification includes: the syllabus and repertoire lists, exam requirements and marking criteria.
For 2020–2023 syllabuses, use the subject selector above to go to the relevant instrument page.
Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8
Performance Grades are accredited exams that we assess from a video recording. They have a strong focus on performance, including communication, interpretation and delivery. In the exam you perform a programme of four pieces: three from the syllabus lists and one own-choice piece.
Qualification Specification, syllabus and repertoire lists
The qualification specification and the syllabus, which includes the repertoire lists, are available to download on this page.
General information for all subjects is available on our Performance Grades page. It’s also essential that you read our guidance for Performance Grades. This includes important information about recording and submitting your exam video.
Specification validity and overlap period
The ‘from 2024’ syllabus is valid from 1 January 2024. The 2020–2023 syllabus is still valid until 31 December 2024. During the one-year overlap period you must choose your three set pieces from the same specification.
Grade 6 to 8 entry requirements
If you’re taking Practical Grade 6, 7 or 8 you must pass Grade 5 (or above) in one of the following before you book: Music Theory, Practical Musicianship, a Jazz Practical Grade.
You can find a list of accepted alternatives on our Performance Grades page.
Downloads
The Bowed Strings Performance Grades Syllabus includes the repertoire lists for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass and the exam requirements.
The Performance Grades Qualification Specification is for all subjects and includes the entry requirements and marking criteria.
