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Bowed Strings

About Bowed Strings

We offer a range of assessments for learners playing the violin, viola, cello and double bass, from the Prep Test and Initial Grade for beginners to Grade 8 and diplomas in Music Performance for advanced musicians.

two children play double bass'
What's new
New Practical and Performance Grade syllabuses from 2024

The Bowed Strings syllabuses from 2024 feature refreshed repertoire lists for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass, with a wide range of composers and greater choice of music than ever before.  

There are no changes to the scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests in the Practical Grade syllabus.  

The new syllabuses come into effect on 1 January 2024 and there is a one-year overlap period – see ‘more information’ below. 

New 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.

violin boy
Initial Grade Exam Packs
  • 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.  
Violin Exam Pieces and Cello Exam Pieces
  • 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.  
Digital sheet music downloads
  • A selection from the Violin Exam Pieces and Cello Exam Pieces books, as well as some Cello and Double Bass repertoire
Audio recording downloads

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 via apps

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. 

Instruments

Select your Bowed Strings instrument
Bowed Strings – Practical Grades

Practical Grades are face-to-face exams that 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.

Bowed string players can take Practical Grades at Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8.

Downloads

Download a PDF of the Bowed Strings Practical Grades Qualification Specification, which includes syllabuses for all instruments.

For 2020–2023 syllabuses, use the subject selector above to go to the relevant instrument page.

Bowed Strings – Performance Grades

Performance Grades are digital exams assessed 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.   

Bowed string players can take Performance Grades at Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8. There are no booking periods or exam sessions so you can choose when to book, record and submit your exam.

Downloads

Download PDFs of the Performance Grades Qualification Specification and the Bowed Strings syllabus.

Watch a performance

Joel, Ann Marie and Ezraella of Bexley Music play Siyahamba trio from Grade 1 Cello

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