ABRSM Violin Grade 5 Syllabus 2026: Repertoire and Scales

ABRSM Violin Grade 5 is a threshold grade. The pieces are still compact enough for exam preparation, but the candidate now needs a clearer sense of style, tone, phrase length, and left-hand confidence.

The 2026 guide below follows the official ABRSM Violin Practical Grades syllabus from 2024, which remains the current syllabus for this repertoire.

For the broader level-by-level view, read this with ABRSM violin repertoire by grade. Grade 5 is also a useful moment to check that exam work is building musicianship rather than only chasing the next certificate; see what ABRSM exams can and cannot teach.

Other grades: Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8

Grade 5 difficulty summary

Grade 5 is a threshold grade. The programme should show more mature tone, more confident left-hand organisation, and a better sense of musical pacing.

Practical Grade 5 picks

Before buying extra books, check whether the shortlisted pieces are already in the student’s current method books, school library copies, or ABRSM exam-piece collections. The most practical choice is the one the student can prepare musically and consistently.

How to choose a Grade 5 programme

Grade 5 rewards coherence more than surface display. A Baroque movement can show excellent style if the student has rhythmic poise. A lyrical piece can be persuasive if the sound is supported and not pressed. A brilliant List C choice can work well, but only if rhythm and intonation remain free under pressure.

Grade 5 repertoire: List A

No.	Composer	Piece	Publication
1	Corrette	Giga, from Sonata in D, Op. 25 No. 5, arr. Jones	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
2	attrib. Handel	Allegro, 2nd movt from Sonata in F, Op. 1 No. 12, HWV 370	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
3	Jean Baptiste Loeillet	Giga, 4th movt from Sonata in G minor, Op. 5 No. 6	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
4	J. C. Bach	Presto, 3rd movt from Symphony No. 4, arr. Wade	The Young Symphonist, Vol. 3 (Clifton Edition)
5	Boyce	Allegro, 1st movt from Symphony No. 4 in F, arr. Wade	The Young Symphonist, Vol. 3 (Clifton Edition)
6	J. S. Bach	Bereite dich, Zion, from Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, arr. K. & D. Blackwell	Bach for Violin (OUP)
7	Gossec	Tambourin, arr. Nelson	Sheila M. Nelson’s Classical Violinist (Boosey & Hawkes)
8	Joachim Johow	Cafe classique, No. 5 from Coffee & Violin	Joachim Johow: Coffee & Violin (Schott)
9	Senaille	Allegro spiritoso, 4th movt from Sonata No. 4 in D minor	Senaille: Sonata in D minor (OUP or Schott)
10	Leclair	Allegro, 2nd movt from Sonata in B minor, Op. 2 No. 11	Franzosische Violinmusik der Barockzeit 2 (Henle)
11	Mascitti	Giga	Grade by Grade, Violin Grade 5 (Boosey & Hawkes) or Sheila M. Nelson’s Baroque Violinist (Boosey & Hawkes)
12	Telemann	Allegro, 2nd movt from Sonata in G, TWV 41:G1	Telemann: 6 Sonatas for Violin (Schott)
13	Vivaldi	Allemanda, 2nd movt from Sonata in F, RV 20, Op. 2	Vivaldi: 12 Sonatas for Violin, Op. 2 Book 1 (Schott) or Baroque Violin Pieces, Book 3 (ABRSM)

Grade 5 repertoire: List B

No.	Composer	Piece	Publication
1	Andree	Romance, No. 1 from Two Romances; mute optional	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
2	Trad. Shanxi	Leaving Home, arr. Long SOLO	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
3	Sherwin & Maschwitz	A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, arr. Iles	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
4	Bridge	Cradle Song, H. 96	Bridge: Three Pieces for Violin (Faber) or The Best of Grade 5 Violin (Faber)
5	Ireland	Berceuse	Ireland: Berceuse for Violin (Stainer & Bell)
6	attrib. Paradis	Sicilienne, arr. Dushkin	Paradis: Sicilienne for Violin or Cello (Schott) or Encore Violin, Book 3 (ABRSM)
7	Pergolesi	Siciliano	Small Concert Pieces, Vol. 1 (EMB Zenemukiado)
8	Rieding	Andante sostenuto, 2nd movt from Concertino in G, Op. 24	Rieding: Concertino in G, Op. 24 (Bosworth)
9	Shostakovich	Elegie, arr. Fortunatov	Shostakovich: Albumstucke (Peters or Sikorski)
10	Tchaikovsky	Waltz, from Serenade for Strings, arr. Huws Jones	Going Solo for Violin (Faber)
11	Branscombe	An Old Love Tale, Op. 21 No. 1, arr. Cooper; mute and sul G optional	Violin Music By Women: A Graded Anthology, Vol. 3 Intermediate 2 (Sleepy Puppy Press)
12	Sally Greenaway	Danza del Anhelo	Lyrical Violin Legends (Allegro)
13	Joe Hisaishi	Departure, from Kiki’s Delivery Service, arr. Shimazu	Joe Hisaishi: Studio Ghibli Songs for Violin, Easy-Intermediate (Yamaha)

Grade 5 repertoire: List C

No.	Composer	Piece	Publication
1	Barbara Arens	Tango Habanera	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
2	Tailleferre	Moderato, 1st movt from Sonatine	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
3	Hille	Czardas, No. 3 from Hungarian Sketches, Op. 23	Violin Exam Pieces from 2024, Grade 5 (ABRSM)
4	Diana Burrell	The Secrets of the Dark Pool in the Pine Forest	Diana Burrell: The Secrets of the Dark Pool in the Pine Forest (UMP)
5	Kodaly	Intermezzo, from Hary Janos, arr. Kolman	Universal Violin Album, Vol. 3 (Universal)
6	Timothy & Natasha Kraemer	Cossack Dance	Gypsy Jazz: Intermediate Level (Faber) or The Best of Grade 5 Violin (Faber)
7	Lavildevan	Sugar with Cinnamon, arr. K. & D. Blackwell	Solo Time for Violin, Book 2 (OUP)
8	Trad. Klezmer	Hava Nagila, arr. Stephen & Rowlands	Klezmer Fiddle Tunes (Schott)
9	Richard Wade	Barn Dance, from Way Out West	Richard Wade: Way Out West (Queen’s Temple Publications)
10	Joe Hisaishi	A Town with an Ocean View, from Kiki’s Delivery Service, arr. Shimazu	Joe Hisaishi: Studio Ghibli Songs for Violin, Intermediate (Yamaha)
11	Ewa Iwan	Tarantella, from Musical Journeys, Book 1	Ewa Iwan: Musical Journeys for Violin, Book 1 (PWM)
12	Perlman	Hora-Hatikvah, 1st movt from Israeli Concertino	Perlman: Israeli Concertino (Boosey & Hawkes)
13	Marceli Poplawski	Spanish Dance	Marceli Poplawski: Easy Pieces for Violin (PWM)

Grade 5 scales and arpeggios

All scales and arpeggios are played from memory.

Keys	Range	Bowing and rhythm
Scales
D-flat, E-flat, and F majors; B, C-sharp, and E minors, harmonic or melodic at the candidate's choice	2 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 2 beats to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes or long tonic at the candidate's choice.
G and A majors; G and A minors, harmonic or melodic at the candidate's choice	3 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 2 beats to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes or long tonic at the candidate's choice.
Arpeggios
D-flat, E-flat, and F majors; B, C-sharp, and E minors	2 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 3 notes to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes.
G and A majors; G and A minors	3 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 3 notes to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes.
Dominant sevenths
In the key of B-flat	1 octave	Separate bows or slurred, 4 notes to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes.
In the keys of C and D	2 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 4 notes to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes.
Diminished sevenths
Starting on open G string and open D string	1 octave	Separate bows, even notes.
Chromatic scales
Starting on G, A, and B-flat	2 octaves	Separate bows or slurred, 4 notes to a bow, at the examiner's choice. Even notes.

Practical recommendation

Pick pieces that match the student’s natural strengths honestly. If the player already hears Baroque rhythm well, a List A sonata movement can be very convincing. If tone is the stronger asset, make sure the List B choice really lets that sound come through.

For the broader level-by-level view, return to the ABRSM violin repertoire by grade guide.