Determine Your Piano Skill Level

Do you want an idea of what level you are at? It is hard to simply judge by the number of years you played nor the pieces that you learnt. However, there are a list of things that I think players should be able to do at different point of your musical journey.

Check the following list to see what skills and knowledge you have to figure out your skill level! (With reference to equivalent level to the graded system)

Pre-beginner

- Basic hand placement and posture

- General music staff awareness

- Understand finger numbers, musical alphabets and to locate them on the piano

- Develop sense of rhythm and pitch

Beginner

- Knows bass and treble clef

- Play simple tunes, hands together

- Understand dynamics and articulations

- Familiar with note values and tempo notations

Early Intermediate (Grade 1 - 2)

- Ability to play chords, scales, and arpeggios (~ 2 flats/sharps)

- Develop basic finger techniques, listening skills, theory and musicality

- Ability to play chords, scales, and arpeggios (~ 2 flats/sharps)

Intermediate (Grade 3 - 5)

- Well familiarised with musical notation

- Can read music with confidence

- Left hand and right hand can play independent of each other

- Play major and minor (harmonic & melodic) scales, chord and arpeggios

- Growing familiarity with musical terms and notations

- More solid technique and musicality

Pre-advanced (Grade 6 - 8)

- Fluent in reading piano scores

- Solid and confident techniques

- Familiar with most music terminology and notations

- Play most scales, chords, and arpeggios in parallel or contrary motion, in 3rd or 6th apart, etc.

- Solid foundation in music theory (major, minor and diminished triads and 7th chords and their inversions, harmonic progressions)

Advanced (Diplomas/ University/ Conservatoire Level)

- Excellent music foundation

- Thorough understand of music theory

- Extensive knowledge of music history and literature

- Capability to self-learn any piece to a decent level

- You know you are advanced if you don't need to ask what level you are at! :b

This is just a very general outline and everyone learns at a different pace. Most importantly, it depends on how much effort you put in lessons and practice.

It is completely normal that you find some topic/ skills easier to pick up. By going through the list, you'll know what is need else is needed for you to progress further!