RSL Classical Violin Grade 4 (2021)

Overview

RSL Classical Violin Grade 4 (2021) is the official Grade 4 book for the RSL Classical Violin syllabus, designed for students progressing into intermediate-level violin playing.

The book features 10 benchmarked performance arrangements, supported by technical exercises and musicianship tests. The repertoire covers Classical, Classical Crossover, Jazz and Pop styles, giving students opportunities to develop technique, musical expression and stylistic awareness.

The RSL Classical Violin syllabus also provides exemplar audio, backing tracks and piano scores, supporting flexible practice and performance preparation.

Key Features

• Official RSL Classical Violin Grade 4 – Designed for the RSL Grade 4 syllabus.

• 10 Benchmarked Arrangements – A varied collection of Grade 4 repertoire.

• Diverse Musical Styles – Includes Classical, Classical Crossover, Jazz and Pop.

• Exemplar Audio – Provides reference performances for listening and practice.

• Backing Tracks – Supports accompanied practice and performance.

• Piano Scores – Allows students to practise with piano accompaniment.

• Composer Fact Files – Provides background information about the composers and repertoire.

• Performance Walkthroughs – Offers guidance for approaching the arrangements.

• Technical Exercises – Includes scales, arpeggios and technical studies.

• Supporting Tests – Covers sight-reading or improvisation and interpretation, ear tests and general musicianship.

Featured Repertoire

The Grade 4 book includes:

• Prelude and Gavotte, from Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 5, RV 30 – Antonio Vivaldi

• The Deserted Garden – Florence Price

• Solveig's Song – Edvard Grieg

• La Captive – Amy Marcy Beach

• Chinese Puzzle – Rebecca Clarke

• Harvest Calypso – Nikki Iles

• A Dragon Flies – Stephen Montague

• Moonlight Rose – Naoko Ikeda

• Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

• Willow – Taylor Swift

The selection combines established classical repertoire with contemporary works, including two popular music arrangements, giving students exposure to different musical styles and performance approaches.

What Students Will Develop

Grade 4 builds on the skills developed through Grades 1–3 and supports students in developing:

• Greater technical control

• More complex rhythmic patterns

• Stronger left- and right-hand coordination

• Improved bow control

• Musical phrasing and expression

• Stylistic awareness

• Sight-reading

• Aural recognition and melodic recall

• Improvisation and interpretation

• General musicianship

• Greater performance independence

RSL describes Grade 4 as suitable for candidates ready for intermediate-level playing. Students are expected to have mastered the key skills up to Grade 3 and subsequently developed greater use of technique, more complex rhythms, coordination and musical understanding.

Technical Exercises

The Grade 4 technical section consists of three groups:

• Group A – Scales

• Group B – Arpeggios

• Group C – Technical Studies

The 2021 Grade 4 requirements introduce greater technical demands, including work involving first to fourth position, chromatic passages, accidentals and possible double-stopping. Students also encounter more developed bowing and expressive techniques.

The technical material may include elements such as:

• Varied bowing patterns

• String crossing

• Vibrato

• Dynamic variation

• Natural harmonics

• Glissando

• Marcato

• Pizzicato

• Left-hand pizzicato

• Pizzicato chords

These exercises support the technical control required for Grade 4 performance repertoire.

Supporting Tests

The Grade 4 syllabus includes several supporting areas alongside the prepared repertoire:

• Technical Exercises

  • Scales

  • Arpeggios

  • Technical Studies

• Unseen Tests

  • Sight Reading

  • Improvisation & Interpretation

  • Ear Tests – Melodic Recall

  • General Musicianship Questions

For the unseen test, candidates choose between sight-reading and improvisation & interpretation before seeing the test material.

Product Details

• Brand: RSL Awards

• Series: RSL Classical Violin

• Instrument: Violin

• Level: Grade 4

• Syllabus: 2021

• Publisher: RSL Awards

• Repertoire: 10 benchmarked arrangements

• Includes: Performance repertoire, technical exercises and supporting tests