{"id":18578,"date":"2025-03-11T01:39:59","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T00:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edwinm29.sg-host.com\/?p=18578"},"modified":"2025-03-12T08:23:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T07:23:07","slug":"piano-skill-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/","title":{"rendered":"How to gauge your piano skill level?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#General_piano_skill_levels\" >General piano skill levels<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Early_beginner\" >Early beginner<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Beginner\" >Beginner<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Early_intermediate\" >Early intermediate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Intermediate\" >Intermediate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Late_intermediate\" >Late intermediate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Advanced\" >Advanced<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#More_than_just_levels_what_really_makes_a_great_pianist\" >More than just levels: what really makes a great pianist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#How_to_measure_your_progress\" >How to measure your progress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/#Wrapping_it_up\" >Wrapping it up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colors in your mind&#8221;.<br \/>\n\u2013 Maria Cristina Mena<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;ve been on my own piano journey for a while now, and I know firsthand how tricky it can be to figure out where you stand. The skill levels in this guide are based on my own experience and observations, things I\u2019ve picked up along the way and from talking to other pianists. There are plenty of books, courses, and structured methods out there, but if you&#8217;re learning on your own, it can be tough to know where you stand. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I a beginner? Am I intermediate?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then this guide is for you!<\/span><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--><\/style>\n<p><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=&quot;componentContainer&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;row&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;h2Notable&quot;&gt;Start your musical journey&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall in love with the music -&lt;\/strong&gt; Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enjoy interactive piano lessons -&lt;\/strong&gt; Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords &amp; more.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get real-time feedback -&lt;\/strong&gt; Skoove&#039;s feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;\/ul&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;1024&quot; height=&quot;846&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-large&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;skooveButton skooveButtonWithin&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; title=&quot;Book a trial lesson&quot; href=&quot;https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=btf&amp;utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&amp;t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&amp;st=No%20credit%20card%20required!&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot;&gt;Book a trial lesson&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;small&gt;No credit card details required&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:769,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;11&quot;:3,&quot;12&quot;:0}\"><div class=\"componentContainer\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"column\"><div class=\"h2Notable\">Start your musical journey<\/div><ul><li><span><strong>Fall in love with the music -<\/strong> Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Enjoy interactive piano lessons -<\/strong> Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords & more.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Get real-time feedback -<\/strong> Skoove's feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"column\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"846\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/div><\/div><small><\/small><a class=\"skooveButton skooveButtonWithin\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Book a trial lesson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=btf&utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&st=No%20credit%20card%20required!\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a trial lesson<\/a><small>No credit card details required<\/small><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"General_piano_skill_levels\"><\/span><b>General piano skill levels<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early Beginner<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginner<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Late Intermediate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This isn&#8217;t about labels, it&#8217;s about knowing where you are so you can practice smarter, set good goals, and, most importantly, enjoy playing! Let\u2019s break it down!<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Do not compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to the pianist you were yesterday.&#8221;<br \/>\n\u2013 My personal philosophy<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_beginner\"><\/span><strong>Early beginner<br \/>\n<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re just starting out, you&#8217;re an early beginner. Typically, this stage lasts for about six months. At this point:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might not know <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-remember-piano-notes\/\">note names<\/a> or where they are on the keyboard yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people label their keys to help find notes easier (totally fine!).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading music is still new, and you might only be using the right hand in a basic five-finger position.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might prefer learning by ear rather than reading music.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re playing small pieces but don\u2019t have a full repertoire yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/896456492?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"231\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beginner\"><\/span><strong>Beginner<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After about six months, things start to click a little more. As a beginner:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know the musical alphabet and can find notes on the keyboard (maybe still with labels, but you\u2019re getting there!).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can read basic notes in treble clef with your right hand and are starting to use the left hand in <a href=\"\/blog\/bass-clef-notes-on-piano\/\">bass clef.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You understand simple rhythms, dynamics, and tempo markings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re starting to explore scales, chords, and arpeggios.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re working on beginner-friendly pieces from method books or with your teacher\u2019s help.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"The Beatles - Let It Be\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1061168957?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"230\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_intermediate\"><\/span><strong>Early intermediate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After about a year of playing, things start to feel a bit more natural. At this level:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can read music on the grand staff (both treble and bass clefs together).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can play in different hand positions and manage simple <a href=\"\/blog\/piano-hand-independence\/\">hand independence.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re getting better at <a href=\"\/blog\/time-signatures-explained\/\">understanding time signatures<\/a>, rhythm, and key signatures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know several major and minor scales (maybe even two octaves!).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can play basic triads, arpeggios, and chord progressions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your repertoire includes simple classical pieces, pop songs, or blues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Minuet by Johann Sebastian Bach\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/891656520?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"234\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intermediate\"><\/span><strong>Intermediate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At around 18 months to two years, you\u2019re in the intermediate stage. Here\u2019s what that looks like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re reading treble and bass clefs comfortably.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your hands can play more independently, with <a href=\"\/blog\/rhythm-in-music\/\">different rhythms<\/a> at the same time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know all 12 major and minor scales in parallel motion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re exploring harmonic and melodic minor scales.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You understand <a href=\"\/blog\/circle-of-fifths\/\">the circle of fifths<\/a> and how it applies to keys and chords.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Mozart, Piano Sonata in C major, No 16, K 545, Allegro\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dNbqRC4xtEg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Late_intermediate\"><\/span><strong>Late intermediate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this stage, playing feels much more natural, and you\u2019ve likely been playing for about two years or more. You:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can sight-read moderately difficult piano pieces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are starting to take on more challenging music.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listen to a variety of music and can recognize different styles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understand complex rhythms like triplets and sixteenth notes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can play four-octave scales in parallel and contrary motion at a good speed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Might be improvising or composing your own pieces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are practicing ear training and maybe transcribing music you like.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your repertoire includes Debussy\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arabesque<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Beethoven\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moonlight Sonata<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or Bach\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well-Tempered Clavier<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Moonlight Sonata - Ludwig Van Beethoven\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/890152701?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"234\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advanced\"><\/span><strong>Advanced<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve been playing for three years or more, you\u2019re moving into advanced territory. At this stage:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have a strong understanding of the piano\u2019s role in music history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re comfortable with different musical styles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ve had experience performing, either solo or with others.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can play major and minor scales in different intervals, including thirds and sixths.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re working on advanced exercises like Hanon or Czerny.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re exploring advanced improvisation or composition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <a href=\"\/blog\/ear-training-exercises\/\">ear is well-trained<\/a>, and you can pick up melodies quickly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Your repertoire might include Chopin\u2019s <i style=\"font-weight: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scherzo No. 2 in B minor<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Brahms\u2019s <\/span><i style=\"font-weight: inherit;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermezzo No. 2 in B-flat minor<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or Liszt\u2019s pieces.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Zimerman play Chopin Scherzo in B-flat minor, op. 31\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S94Nh-bSomo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_than_just_levels_what_really_makes_a_great_pianist\"><\/span><b>More than just levels: what really makes a great pianist<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I love reading what other pianists have to say about improving, and one thing is clear: there\u2019s more to being a good pianist than just skill levels. Here are some extra skills that can really make a difference:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sight-reading<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improvisation<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Adaptability<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Emotional expression<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Listening and awareness<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These skills go beyond any set level and help shape you into a confident, expressive pianist!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_measure_your_progress\"><\/span><b>How to measure your progress<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re wondering where you stand, don\u2019t stress too much about labels. Instead:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what you\u2019ve learned in the past few months.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on how comfortable you feel with new pieces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compare yourself to where you were last year, not to other people.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set small, clear goals to keep improving.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrapping_it_up\"><\/span><b>Wrapping it up<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning piano is a journey, not a race. The most important thing? Just enjoy playing! Whether you\u2019re just starting or working on advanced pieces, every step forward is progress. Keep practicing, stay curious, and have fun with it. And remember, resources like Skoove are always here to help along the way!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Happy playing! \ud83c\udfb9<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 46.21% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/479012867?autoplay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;muted=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the course<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Author of this blog post<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-6965 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Author-Box-Edward-1.png\" alt=\"Edward Bond\" width=\"212\" height=\"217\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Eddie Bond is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and music instructor currently based in Seattle, Washington USA. He has performed extensively in the US, Canada, Argentina, and China, released over 40 albums, and has over a decade experience working with music students of all ages and ability levels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"editorSection\">Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colors in your mind&#8221;. \u2013 Maria Cristina Mena I&#8217;ve been on my own piano journey for a while now, and I know firsthand how tricky it can be to figure out where you stand. The skill levels in this guide are based &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"\/blog\/piano-skill-level\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to gauge your piano skill level?<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":18647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"How to gauge your piano skill level?","_seopress_titles_desc":"Explore piano skill levels from beginner to advanced. 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