I just found a pile of old music given to me by my violin oracle and there is a rather tatty copy of the Kreutzer (sp?) studies and a book of six Beethoven sonatas.

I recognise one of the Beethoven sonatas as 'The Spring' I think so I popped it on my jolly music stand and tucked Claudia under my chin for some nifty sightreading....

What grade are the Beethoven sonatas and should a Grade 3 violinist not feel too bad about not getting further than the end of the first line (ok I was sightreading)

I just need to get fluent with this shifting thing - it's driving me batty!

I'm playing Pachabel's canon in a quartet at a concert on the 16th December (or is it November ) and it shifts to third and second position and I can play it but only at a snails pace

AHAAA it's just occurred to me that practising might help......

I am a pianist rather than violinist but have played most of the Beethoven Sonatas. The Spring is probbaly Grade 7-8 to play completely. But you might be able to pick out an odd movement from the others, eg slow movement of No 2 or No 4 or No 6, or just play the theme of the slow movement of No 1.

Grade 7 or 8?.... and the rest. The AB have (rather unwisely perhaps) put the first movement of the Op. 96 violin sonata on the new Grade 8 syllabus. I was talking with (orchestral) colleagues about it the other week and we thought it was a ludicrous thing to expect someone to play coming up to Grade 8.

Beethoven sonatas are standard repertoire and fit into the diploma level categories.

At Grade 3 standard there is no shame in struggling - you are probably doing your playing more harm than good at this stage by fighting with them. Put them away for the time being and revisit when your skills have developed further.

Well, I usually play these with my daughter, and she never got beyond Grade 8. We cant touch the Kreutzer (no9) or no 10, but play the first six and no 8 reasonably well.
Some of the movements have been in Grade 7 or 8 in the past eg Rondo from no 3 was in Grade 8 for 2004-5 (though there is a misprint as it says in Bflat when it is in Eflat) . Rondo from No 1 was in Grade 7 for 2001-2002, and in the same year the Rondo from no 3 was in Grade 8. The previous syllabus (1990-2000) actually has the Spring (no 5), movements 1 or 4 in Grade 8 (also the F major Romance). Going back further the first and third movement of No 8 are in Grade 8 syllabus (1995-6)

I rest my case ! I did only suggest to Lottie she looks at selected movements.

But your daughter's playing is probably beyond grade 8 by now? even if she didn't actually go any further with exams.