Many of us amateur violinists and violists move beyond beginner methods only to find ourselves playing a set of the same familiar pieces that everyone plays. Many of these are wonderful works that serve a teaching purpose, but there are so many pieces written for violin (and often transcribed for viola) that are approachable for amateur players at a variety of levels that deserve to be heard.

As an adult learner and amateur player, I’ve spent a lot of time looking for repertoire that appeal to me as a non-professional musician: pieces that are musically satisfying, technically challenging, and interesting enough to work on in my own practice. Over time, I’ve found sources of repertoire that help me stay engaged as a violin student and amateur musician.

This page serves as the central repertoire guide on Tuning in Fifths, bringing together curated repertoire lists and strategies to help amateur violinists and violists find music that inspires and supports musical discovery and practice. This guide is designed to help you find pieces at the right level that move beyond the standard suggestions your teacher might provide.

What You’ll Find in This Guide

• Curated repertoire collections for violin and viola
• Alternatives to overplayed standard works
• Music by underrepresented composers
• Guidance on choosing repertoire at the right level
• Entry points into Baroque and early music

How to Find Repertoire That Inspires You

Exploring the canon of the violin is an exciting part of any student or amateur musician’s experience, but especially if you are at an intermediate level, it can be challenging to find works that inspire. These articles explore ways to expand your repertoire while balancing challenge, enjoyment, and musical growth.

An Adult Violin Student’s Guide to Sourcing Inspiring Repertoire

A practical guide to finding repertoire as an adult learner or amateur violinist, with advice on selecting pieces that stretch your skills.

Anthologies and Curated Collections

Anthologies can be an especially rich source of repertoire for amateur players. They often bring together thoughtfully chosen works across styles and levels, making it easier to explore new composers and musical ideas.

Collections That Inspire: Anthologies for Violinists and Violists

A curated selection of repertoire anthologies for violin and viola, ranging from graded collections to advanced volumes that invite exploration into a genre.

Discovering New Voices

Whether through exploring the music of individual composers or alternatives to popular pieces, moving beyond the canon can open up new musical perspectives and is a satisfying way to build repertoire.

Discovering Grażyna Bacewicz: Accessible Violin Music by a Modern Polish Composer

An introduction to violin works by Grażyna Bacewicz, organized by level from early intermediate through advanced, highlighting pieces well-suited to amateur players.

Lyrical Alternatives to Massenet’s Méditation by Women Composers

A selection of lyrical works for violin (and viola) that offer expressive, rewarding alternatives to one of the most commonly played salon pieces and offer an opportunity to play an underrepresented work.

Baroque and Early Music

Early music offers a rich and rewarding repertoire, often with technical demands that are well suited to intermediate players. If you are an amateur player with a love for the music of the Baroque era or a violinist or violist starting to explore early music, these repertoire resources are a place to start.

Baroque Music for Viola: Essential Pieces and Where to Start

A curated selection of Baroque repertoire for viola, with guidance on approachable entry points and suggestions for players new to early music.

From Violin to Viola

Repertoire recommendations for violinists transitioning to playing the viola from accessible concertos, concert pieces, to music by underrepresented voices.

Best Viola Pieces for Violinists Transitioning to Viola

A curated selection of pieces, collections, and anthologies suitable for intermediate violists or violinists just getting started with the viola repertoire.

What’s Next

This repertoire guide will continue to grow as I publish new curated lists, composer spotlights, and repertoire ideas for amateur musicians. Future topics may include:

• Approachable chamber music for those new to the genre
• Cross-instrument repertoire for violinists exploring viola
• Baroque repertoire for violin