General Curriculum: The following list is a general guide to the student’s development, from beginner to advanced. I have put in brackets the corresponding Royal Conservatory grade levels as I see it.

The technical works by such composers as Franz Wohlfahrt, Harvey Whistler, Jacob Dont, etc. have been mainstays in violin pedagogy for more than a century. Learning these etudes and exercises are necessary for violin mastery. Repertoire choices will be customized to fit the student’s temperament. Most can be found in the RCM Repertoire Albums, but I will also choose pieces from my own library.

Beginner Level (RCM Introductory level to Grade 2)

  • Herfurth, C. Paul. A Tune A Day (Books 1 and 2)
  • Sevcik, Ottakar. School of Violin Technique, Book 1
  • Violin Series Repertoire Albums (3rd edition) (Introductory, Grades 1 and 2) (Royal Conservatory of Music)
  • Violin Series Technical Requirements (3rd edition)(Intro to Grade 4) (RCM)
  • Whistler, Harvey. Scales in First Position
  • Woof, Rowsby. Fifty Elementary Studies

Intermediate Level (RCM Grades 3 to 5)

  • Violin Series Repertoire Albums (3rd edition)(Grades 3, 4 and 5) (RCM)
  • Violin Series Technical Requirements (3rd edition)(Grades 5 to 8) (RCM)
  • Geringas, Yaakov. Shifting: 30 Studies for Young Violinists
  • Trott, Josephine. Melodious Double-Stops, Book 1
  • Whistler, Harvey. Introducing the Positions, Book 1
  • Wohlfahrt, Franz. 60 Studies, Op. 45 (Books 1 and 2)

Higher Intermediate Level (RCM Grades 6 to 9)

  • Violin Series Repertoire Albums (3rd edition)(Grades 6, 7, and 8) (RCM)
  • Violin Series Technical Requirements (3rd edition)(Grades 5 to 8) (RCM)
  • Dancla, Charles. School of Mechanism, Op. 74
  • Kreutzer, Rudolphe. 42 Studies
  • Mazas, J. 75 Melodious and Progressive Studies, Op. 36 (Book 1)
  • Schradieck, H. School of Violin Technique, Book 1
  • Trott, Josephine. Melodious Double-Stops, Book 2
  • Whistler, Harvey. Introducing the Positions, Book 2

Advanced Level (RCM Grade 10 and ARCT)

  • The Complete Violin Technique Book
  • Dont, Jacob. 24 Etudes and Caprices, Op. 35
  • Kreutzer, Rudolphe. 42 Studies
  • Paganini, Nicolo. 24 Caprices, Op. 1
  • Rode, Pierre. 24 Caprices (in all major and minor keys) Schradieck, H. School of Violin Technique, Book 2.