Find the right piece. Fast.
A searchable reference map of canonical repertoire for 12 common instruments. Filter by grade band, sort by tempo or mood, and build a shortlist for your next student.
All pieces
Pick an instrument or grade band to begin.
Try widening the grade band or clearing the search. If you are looking for a specific instrument, pick it from the filter on the left.
| Favourite | Composer | Piece | Instrument | Grade | Tempo | Mood | Notes |
|---|
Grades are approximate bands based on ABRSM, RCM, and Trinity-style syllabi. Always check the current syllabus if the piece is for an official exam.
How teachers use this map
Most teachers open this page when a new student arrives or when a recital is coming up. The workflow is usually the same: pick the instrument, choose a grade band, then scan for something that fits the student's personality.
A typical scenario
Maya is a 13-year-old violin student. She has passed Grade 3 and wants something that sounds impressive but does not require a huge jump in technique. Her teacher filters to Violin · Grades 4-5, sorts by mood, and picks a lyrical piece with a moderate tempo. The student can learn it in six weeks and still enjoy the process.
Common mistakes when choosing repertoire
- Picking a piece just because it sounds hard. A student who is not ready will spend the whole term fighting the notes instead of making music.
- Ignoring the mood of the piece. A playful student will struggle with a heavy, stately work even if the notes are easy.
- Using the same piece for every student at the same grade. Students are different. Use the mood and tempo columns to vary your choices.
- Forgetting to check the current syllabus. Exam boards update their lists. A piece that was on the ABRSM Grade 5 list ten years ago may not be on it now.
How we built the catalogue
We started with the most common pieces that appear on ABRSM, RCM, and Trinity syllabi for the 12 instruments on this page. We added a few well-known solo and orchestral excerpts that teachers use regularly. Each entry has an approximate grade band, a tempo tag, and a mood tag. Mood tags are editorial. We listened to recordings and read programme notes. Tempo tags are broad: slow, moderate, fast, or very fast.
What to double-check before you decide
- Is the piece on the current exam list if you need it for assessment?
- Is the edition you are using the same as the one on the syllabus?
- Does the student have the technical basics for the piece, or will they need a bridging study first?
Grade bands at a glance
This table shows how our bands map to common syllabi. Use it when you are moving between exam systems.
| Our band | ABRSM | RCM | Trinity | Typical student |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 | Initial-Grade 3 | First few years. Learning posture, basic tone, simple rhythms. |
| Grades 4-5 | 4-5 | 4-5 | Grades 4-5 | Intermediate. Starting to shape phrases and control dynamics. |
| Grades 6-7 | 6-7 | 6-7 | Grades 6-7 | Advanced intermediate. Longer works, harder keys, more stamina. |
| Grade 8+ | 8 and above | 8-10 | Grade 8 and above | Advanced. Diploma-level playing, recital-ready. |
This site is a reference map, not an official syllabus. It is part of the hub2.day project family. Last updated 2026. Version 1.0.