I don't get the levels (universal?) like 1 being beginning while 10 being the best? Is this only for sight reading....sight reading and music theory or what? And if it's a lot of sight reading or even playing, what are some examples of music pieces at certain levels?

Also, one of ravel's pieces that stood out was his Jeux D'eau. What level would this be at?

Depends. Levels dont matter in a whole, but some musical groups that teach, like a school or lesson book, will use them to determine what you can do. Take the OMTA for an example. Its the Oregon Music Teachers Association. They use levels 1 through 10 to represent what you learned though music theory. I am on level 4 at the momment. All that means is im almost half way through my music theory.

What kind of music you can play based on a level is crap to me. I think the person who is playing can really decide that on his/her own with out numbers.

*hope I explained what you wanted*

Jeux D'eau would most likely be a 10+ on a 1-10 level scale. (Usually, level 10 does not mean that you are now the best you could possibly be; rather, it means more like you're at the level that the average person would be after studying for 10 years.)

California's system involves a yearly exam that includes music theory, sight reading, ear training, technical proficiency, and performance (playing from memory is not required, but it is STRONGLY encouraged). MTAC keeps a list of what pieces may be played in what level, but unfortunately, you'd have to pay $20-30 for a copy of it. As a general indicator, though, a lot of Beethoven sonata movements are around level 8.

I always thought that level 8 meant that you went pro
and level 10 meant that you were qualified to teach.

before taking level 8 for any instrument you have to pass theory for level 5 and before taking levl 10 for any instrument you have to pass theory for level 8.

Well see, you proved my point. What you said might apply to the group to take your lessons for but its not for mine. Level 8 for me means your just close till your done with theory and 10 means your done and you get a shiney medal.

RCM standard is also from 1-10. Although having a grade 10 doesn't mean much. The difference in difficulty between 8-10 isn't too much for songs in my opinion. There's 2 levels of ARCT after grade 10 and those are the professional levels. You are required a minimum grade10 certificate along with teaching degrees and stuff to be considered an official teacher of the instrument but I teach piano and I still haven't done my harmony4 or history4 to get my certificate.

Memory is required unless you want to fail on examinations for later grades even though they say it's not. If you just want to play for fun with game and anime music, I would think grade 5 would be sufficient to play almost any music for their simplified versions. Grade 8 would let you play most of the complex versions of game music but it's still far from being able to be considered pro.

There is no universal ranking system but the highest grade of every country are very close in difficulty. Meaning, if you're in the highest grade in Asia, your music will be around the difficulty of the highest grade in the western countries even if your grade 5 is considered harder than the western grade5.

Uh..

I've only been playing for about 1 1/2 years.

I'm playing Beethoven's Pathetique, and the Fantasie-Impromptu along with that.

What level am I? (By the way, I am working on the for perfection as well-take that into consideration)

Uh..

I've only been playing for about 1 1/2 years.

I'm playing Beethoven's Pathetique, and the Fantasie-Impromptu along with that.

What level am I? (By the way, I am working on the for perfection as well-take that into consideration)

Bump.

Kinda want this answered. I'm very curious.

I think that performance-wise, you would be MTAC CM level 8 or 9. The level corresponding with years of experience doesn't always hold, as people who start somewhat late tend to pick up the beginning stuff faster than people who start at age 4 (because when you're older, you're probably doing it because you want to and not because your parents thought it was a good idea; also, it's easier to pick up the theoretical side of music when you're older). Another metric that I've heard is that your CM level should correspond roughly to your grade in school.

Uh..

I've only been playing for about 1 1/2 years.

I'm playing Beethoven's Pathetique, and the Fantasie-Impromptu along with that.

What level am I? (By the way, I am working on the for perfection as well-take that into consideration)


Well.... i dont know about in the US, but in England, those pieces are 1st diploma level (we have grades 1-8 + 3 diplomas) but 1st diploma isnt the equivalent of a grade 9; it's more like a grade 10 because there's such a huge leap.

Uh..

I've only been playing for about 1 1/2 years.

I'm playing Beethoven's Pathetique, and the Fantasie-Impromptu along with that.

What level am I? (By the way, I am working on the for perfection as well-take that into consideration)

About a Level 8 or 9.... (*uses musicscores.com system* :heh: )

Wow.

Talk about a leap from something like a Level 4 (almost starting) to 8-9.

x_x

EDIT - Thanks for the repliers.

Bravo Maze! Its great to see people who are so talented at music!