Violin certification

Level 2 — Intermediate (Developing Level)

To develop greater bow control, improved left-hand coordination, basic intonation accuracy, rhythmic stability and confident first-position performance.

Back to levels 1–6

Practical syllabus (violin)

Instrument and technique development

Review of posture and violin hold with balanced chin–shoulder support
Refined bow hold with relaxed fingers and flexible wrist
Left-hand finger independence and consistent finger spacing
Clean string crossings

Notes and playing

Confident first-position notes on all strings
Melodies using two and three strings
Introduction to simple slurs (two notes per bow)
Intonation awareness using open strings and reference pitches
Simple expressive phrasing

Scales (one octave, first position)

C major
F major
B♭ major
G minor (natural)
D minor (natural)
E minor (natural)

Bowing techniques

Controlled detaché
Legato bowing and two-note slurs
Smooth bow changes with basic control of speed and pressure

Rhythm and timing

Whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and rests
Simple rhythmic combinations
Steady pulse with introduction to metronome practice
Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4

Repertoire

Three pieces: one learner’s choice, one melodic piece with slurs and one technical / study piece
Simple scale-based improvisation or original melody (12–16 bars)

Theory syllabus

Rhythm and notes

Note values up to eighth notes and corresponding rests
Strong and weak beats in simple meters

Intervals and scales

Whole and half steps and identifying intervals on the fingerboard
Major and natural minor scales and their relative relationships
Scale degrees from tonic to octave

Harmony and notation

Melody vs harmony as a conceptual idea
Introduction to double stops (listening and concept only)
Reading basic staff notation or finger-number / string indications
Bar lines, repeat signs and simple time signatures