I get questions from piano students all the time asking, “How can I determine what level player I am?” Students from India have specific designations from organizations like ABRSM that have regimented repertoire putting students in specific categories of levels. Many music organizations like Music Teachers’ Association of California also categorize students by numeric levels. I laugh sometimes when I see repertoire with designations of, Easy, Intermediate and Advanced, and such, with pieces of the standard literature sometimes being called, ”Easy”. But there are no ways to categorize levels of playing since people have drastically different aptitudes. Someone may have a great affinity for Baroque music, but a weak sense of rhythm. Or someone may be a phenomenal sight-reader, but they can’t play anything from memory, or play anything on a really refined level. I would say that someone playing Beethoven Sonatas and large works of Chopin (like his Ballades and Scherzi) for example, may be considered advanced, but only if they are playing these pieces honestly.
There is a huge range of levels within intermediate and advanced music on the piano.
Ultimately, it isn’t important to categorize yourself into any particular piano level. You are growing as a musician as long as you are practicing, and most importantly, expanding your repertoire. Every new piece you learn adds to your skill as a pianist, and increases the depth of your musicianship. There will always be new pieces to learn, new styles to assimilate, and new techniques to explore. No matter how much music you learn, or how accomplished you become at the piano, there are always vast new areas of music for you on the piano. There also will always be people who can do things on the piano you can’t do no matter how accomplished you become.
It’s about the journey, not the destination.
So, enjoy your practice! And don’t worry about what level you are on. That’s my advice to you. If you spend productive time at the piano on a regular basis, you will continue to grow as a pianist.
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10 thoughts on “How Can You Determine What Level Pianist You Are?”
Most honest and knowledgeable answer I have yet heard. Thanks Robert
I appreciate the vote of confidence!
I am grateful that you posted on this topic. You are so absolutely right in every aspect of the piano journey. Too many times , pianists (such as myself – with music degrees, playing daily for myself and enjoying it) get all caught up on this. Thank you Mr. Estrin.
It’s all about the music, and growing with it. We all carve out our unique paths in music.
That is so true. Some pieces you can play and they flow and feel just right. Others you struggle with and wonder if you’ll ever do it well. I say don’t abandon the hard piece but add another to soothe yourself.
When you come back to a hard piece later on, sometimes you will have an epiphany from having studied other pieces and coming back fresh!
Bravo! I agree. I grew up advancing through method books until I received 2-3 Bach inventions and other repertoire. I never was really aware of levels until after college when I began teaching students whose parents expected this protocol (from mainly Indian heritage.) Level designation may motivate some students, but assigning levels also tends to give a sense of false competency when students practice a “higher level” piece and believe that one piece accomplishes mastery. I laugh when I see certain major scales at one level and the C scale as level one. This is all so arbitrary! So much goes into playing the piano and perhaps people want the security of advancing from one level to another. Enjoy each piece as you go!
You’ve got the right idea!
Well, that was a boost to my ego! But I’m still struggling; I just don’t seem to have the coordination for really fast passages. I’ll keep at it.
The way to deal with that is to practice them slowly at first, and gradually faster, but always within your comfort level. Take your time, eventually you’ll get there.