What Piano Level Am I

Primer (Level pre-1):

  • Knows finger numbers
  • Knows musical alphabet
  • Basic staff awareness
  • Basic keyboard awareness
  • Can play one hand at at time
  • Has proper hand placement and form
  • Developing rhythm and steady beat
  • Generally music from method books
  • Generally practices 10-15 mins/day

Beginner (Levels 1-2):

  • Bass and Treble Clef
  • Plays both hands together
  • Play rhythms more comfortably
  • Keeps steady beat
  • Left hand plays mainly basic chords
  • Dynamics and articulations
  • Can play C, G, and F key signatures
  • Generally practices 15-20 mins/day

Late Beginner (Level 3):

  • Major and minor chords, scales, and arpeggios
  • Left hand becomes more complex
  • More complex rhythms introduced
  • Can play songs with 2 flats/sharps
  • Technique developing
  • Sight reading developing
  • Musicality developing
  • Generally practices 20-30 mins/day

Often people ask “What piano level am I, and why does it matter?”Many educators rank piano levels as the above: