Violin certification
Level 5 — Professional (Performance & Musical Authority)
To demonstrate professional-level technical command, stylistic versatility, expressive maturity, improvisational ability and advanced theoretical understanding.
Practical syllabus (violin)
Technique and instrument control
- Fluent shifting across multiple positions
- Vibrato control (speed, width and expressive use)
- Advanced finger independence and agility
- Endurance and consistency across extended performance
Notes, bowing and styles
- Complex melodic and technical passages with fast passagework
- Stylistic interpretation across genres and confident ensemble playing
- Bowing techniques: advanced spiccato, introductory ricochet and advanced staccato control
Scales and rhythm
- All major scales (two to three octaves) and all natural minor scales
- Harmonic and melodic minor scales in all keys
- Major and minor pentatonic scales and blues scales
- Irregular meters (5/4, 7/8) and polyrhythmic awareness
Repertoire and improvisation
- Five pieces including a technically virtuosic work, an extended-form piece and an original composition
- Multiple contrasting genres and styles
- Advanced improvisation over harmonic progressions
Theory syllabus
Advanced harmony and composition
- Modulation techniques and chord function / voice leading
- Harmonic analysis of performed repertoire
- Writing idiomatically for violin and ornamentation / variation techniques
Analysis
- Structural and stylistic analysis
- Comparison of style and period features