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I'll take a stab at some of this: I don't know if there are proper definitions but I would say a beginner is someone who can play pieces between grade 1-4 and an intermediate player is 5 and onwards until you get to advanced repertoire.
The Alfred book 2 in my opinion varies between grade 1 & 2, while Alfred book 3 varies between grade 2 & 3. The advanced section of book 3 with Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, etc varies in difficulty right up to grade 6 or even 7. No idea why it was ever included in the book.
I think historically the ABF was formed for beginners but it has been going for years and many have joined and just stayed on. Maybe because it is such a nice forum to be involved with or partly because they still feel like beginners.
When I joined the forum I started this thread which kind of asks the same basic questions: http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2284754/1.html Thanks earlofmar for the explanation and BrianDX for the link (it was a good read, exactly what I wanted to know). Well, for me, the name is still good and nice. I just was confused about the level. It seems the beginning stage in Piano learning is long, because traditionally they started very young(still the same tradition I think). I'm glad that the majority in the Recital are IMO intermediate to advanced levels. That gives me a nice motive to be like them. The presence of them (and the generous teachers/professionals/advanced players) is a great experience in itself. Reading what they are talking about and hearing their music are from the few benefits that I gain here. So, for me I love the system as it is. Great environment It is like visiting a real club round the corner of the street more than an internet forum EnGee, it sounds like you're doing really well, especially since you're using multiple methods at once. I liked "Mary Ann," thought it was a catchy little tune. Once in a while I video record myself, just for me to see. It's quite an eye-opener, and not usually in a good way.
Hi Linda, Yes, me too I begin to like all these kids songs! I might find a job in a kindergarten later Well, I hope you can publish your videos when you are ready for it. I have few books besides Alfred's ones, but I don't want to learn too many things at the same time. So, I kept myself limited to two sources only. I might continue with "First book of Mozart" and learn another piece. I learnt so much from participating in the Recital and I think this time I want to play about one minute piece of "Blues". It is different and refreshing. I will search for a suitable piece/book later
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The only thing that really puzzles me is that: What is the line between a beginner and intermediate levels? Are the three levels of Alfred's books only for the beginner's level? Who is a beginner in the Recital? I really can't believe that all in the Recital are beginners!! I think then I will find out with time if no one answer me ;-)
I'll take a stab at some of this: I don't know if there are proper definitions but I would say a beginner is someone who can play pieces between grade 1-4 and an intermediate player is 5 and onwards until you get to advanced repertoire. The Alfred book 2 in my opinion varies between grade 1 & 2, while Alfred book 3 varies between grade 2 & 3. The advanced section of book 3 with Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, etc varies in difficulty right up to grade 6 or even 7. No idea why it was ever included in the book. Hmmm. It is mostly arbitrary and just a matter of self-identification. The exception is when one shops for sheet music. In that case, I look for "early intermediate". It is stuff that is around grade 3 ABRSM I believe. And I'm halfway through Alfred's 2. Maybe its just a "grade inflation" among music publishers and sellers, but if you are playing grade 4 stuff and consider yourself a beginner, that is cool. But if you are going out to buy music (that isn't in your grade system), "beginner" level will be crazy easy for you. This doesn't matter if you are all-in on classical, since everything there is graded and you can just use your favorite grading system. I kinda like the sheet music plus rating system, SMP ratings .
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Thanks ajames for the explanation and the link. I liked a lot the rating of SMP. It makes sense and I find it realistic and very useful when choosing a music sheet
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I did mostly review today, going over previous material from the Alfred's book, starting at the beginning. I'm also continuing to work on exercises from the various books I have. The C scale is coming along slowly.
Linda Casio Privia PX-850 (home), Yamaha Upright (lessons)
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"On top of old smokey, all covered in mud. I shot my poor teacher, with a 4 40 slug...." Ok so they aren't the right words but the old Primary school words still haunt me lol. I've just started on the Can Can but I really posted as we can't have this thread dropping further down the ranks on the 2nd page!
Last edited by MandyD; 09/03/14 08:14 AM.
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"On top of old smokey, all covered in blood. I shot my poor teacher, with a 4 40 slug...." Ok so they aren't the right words but the old Primary school words still haunt me lol. I've just started on the Can Can but I really posted as we can't have this thread dropping further down the ranks on the 2nd page! Goodness gratious! The version I learned growing up in Philadelphia was more "G" rated: "On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed".
Yamaha C2X | Yamaha M500-F Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Curriculum: Faber Developing Artist (Book 3) Current: German Dance in D Major (Haydn) (OF); Melody (Schumann) (OF)
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The only thing that really puzzles me is that: What is the line between a beginner and intermediate levels? Are the three levels of Alfred's books only for the beginner's level? Who is a beginner in the Recital? I really can't believe that all in the Recital are beginners!! I think then I will find out with time if no one answer me ;-)
I'll take a stab at some of this: I don't know if there are proper definitions but I would say a beginner is someone who can play pieces between grade 1-4 and an intermediate player is 5 and onwards until you get to advanced repertoire. The Alfred book 2 in my opinion varies between grade 1 & 2, while Alfred book 3 varies between grade 2 & 3. The advanced section of book 3 with Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, etc varies in difficulty right up to grade 6 or even 7. No idea why it was ever included in the book. Hmmm. It is mostly arbitrary and just a matter of self-identification. The exception is when one shops for sheet music. In that case, I look for "early intermediate". It is stuff that is around grade 3 ABRSM I believe. And I'm halfway through Alfred's 2. Maybe its just a "grade inflation" among music publishers and sellers, but if you are playing grade 4 stuff and consider yourself a beginner, that is cool. But if you are going out to buy music (that isn't in your grade system), "beginner" level will be crazy easy for you. This doesn't matter if you are all-in on classical, since everything there is graded and you can just use your favorite grading system. I kinda like the sheet music plus rating system, SMP ratings . I've done some research in the past month (looked at the ABSRM and RCM materials, checked with my music method publisher (Faber), looked at the Piano Guild levels, and discussed this with my teacher at my one year anniversary. I think the SMP rating are are bit off in some places. I would add my own modifications to this: Level P: Pre-elementary Level 1: Early Elementary (AB) Level 2: Elementary (CD) Level 3: Late Elementary (EF) Level 4: Early Intermediate Level 5-10 The same Also, at level 3 ("Early Intermediate") their skills descriptions mirror my current capabilities with the exception of triplets: + Independent movement of the left hand + Hands in parallel and contrary motion + Multiple chords in a measure + More variety of chords + Eighth to whole notes, triplets, dotted rhythm Having said that, based on discussions with my teacher and other research I am still quite a bit away from most other independent definitions of "Intermediate". Oh, and one other thing: I have always shuddered when I flipped through music books labeled "easy piano". Apparently for beginners like me this material is not so "easy" based on being listed at level 4.
Yamaha C2X | Yamaha M500-F Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Curriculum: Faber Developing Artist (Book 3) Current: German Dance in D Major (Haydn) (OF); Melody (Schumann) (OF)
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That's a much nicer version. We must have been terrible kids (or really hated our teachers ). Mind you back then we didn't even know what a 4 40 slug was (I still don't know), and guns were only something we'd ever seen in Cowboy & Indian movies.
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Joined: Jul 2014
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The only thing that really puzzles me is that: What is the line between a beginner and intermediate levels? Are the three levels of Alfred's books only for the beginner's level? Who is a beginner in the Recital? I really can't believe that all in the Recital are beginners!! I think then I will find out with time if no one answer me ;-)
I'll take a stab at some of this: I don't know if there are proper definitions but I would say a beginner is someone who can play pieces between grade 1-4 and an intermediate player is 5 and onwards until you get to advanced repertoire. The Alfred book 2 in my opinion varies between grade 1 & 2, while Alfred book 3 varies between grade 2 & 3. The advanced section of book 3 with Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, etc varies in difficulty right up to grade 6 or even 7. No idea why it was ever included in the book. Hmmm. It is mostly arbitrary and just a matter of self-identification. The exception is when one shops for sheet music. In that case, I look for "early intermediate". It is stuff that is around grade 3 ABRSM I believe. And I'm halfway through Alfred's 2. Maybe its just a "grade inflation" among music publishers and sellers, but if you are playing grade 4 stuff and consider yourself a beginner, that is cool. But if you are going out to buy music (that isn't in your grade system), "beginner" level will be crazy easy for you. This doesn't matter if you are all-in on classical, since everything there is graded and you can just use your favorite grading system. I kinda like the sheet music plus rating system, SMP ratings . I've done some research in the past month (looked at the ABSRM and RCM materials, checked with my music method publisher (Faber), looked at the Piano Guild levels, and discussed this with my teacher at my one year anniversary. I think the SMP rating are are bit off in some places. I would add my own modifications to this: Level P: Pre-elementary Level 1: Early Elementary (AB) Level 2: Elementary (CD) Level 3: Late Elementary (EF) Level 4: Early Intermediate Level 5-10 The same Also, at level 3 ("Early Intermediate") their skills descriptions mirror my current capabilities with the exception of triplets: + Independent movement of the left hand + Hands in parallel and contrary motion + Multiple chords in a measure + More variety of chords + Eighth to whole notes, triplets, dotted rhythm Having said that, based on discussions with my teacher and other research I am still quite a bit away from most other independent definitions of "Intermediate". Oh, and one other thing: I have always shuddered when I flipped through music books labeled "easy piano". Apparently for beginners like me this material is not so "easy" based on being listed at level 4. SO Brian what level does that make us who are currently working through the 1st Alfred book? Level 10 or is this a Primer level?
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[SO Brian what level does that make us who are currently working through the 1st Alfred book? Level 10 or is this a Primer level? Well this is only my opinion. At the very beginning you would be at Level P. However, by the time you complete the first Alfred's book you should be comfortably in the early elementary level, perhaps getting ready to push into the elementary level. The best thing to do here I think is to match up your current skills with the SMP level column descriptions, which I think are excellent in that regard. The REAL kicker for a lot of people (including myself) is attaining independent movement of the left and right hands. When it happens it is kind of an "ah-ha" moment. Once that skill is mastered (among others) you would certainly be in the elementary A or B level (Piano Guild elementary sub-levels). Again, there is no "unified" definition of these things. The only issue I have with SMP is that the term "intermediate" is used too lightly. In fact, it might take me several more years of study before I can really attain the true capabilities of that level.
Yamaha C2X | Yamaha M500-F Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Curriculum: Faber Developing Artist (Book 3) Current: German Dance in D Major (Haydn) (OF); Melody (Schumann) (OF)
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Brian, yeah I agree about the "Easy Piano" - it's pretty much meaningless for us beginners. It's only "easy" if you've been playing for 10+ years... And I don't really like "Big Note" either, I guess it's great if you have bad eyesight. Otherwise, I'd like my 50 sec long piece to not be on 6 pages, thank you.
Anyway, I like the SMP ratings. I wish more of the stuff they sold was actually rated. I don't think it matters what they call each level (late mid elementary, etc), just that it be self-consistent. The numbers and names don't have to correlate with what you, me, your teacher, ABRSM, or anybody else thinks, as long as they are self-consistent. Then, some "early-late-beginemediate" player can have a good idea of what they are buying.
I think most of the "grade inflation" of beginner stuff to "early intermediate" is due to the music publishers. Maybe they found most piano learners over-estimate their skill level?
Last edited by ajames; 09/03/14 12:24 PM.
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[quote=MandyD]
"On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed". It rolled off the table, and on to the floor, And then my poor meatball, rolled out of the door!
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[quote=MandyD]
"On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed". It rolled off the table, and on to the floor, And then my poor meatball, rolled out of the door! "It rolled in the garden, and under a bush. And then my poor meatball, was nothing but mush!".
Yamaha C2X | Yamaha M500-F Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Curriculum: Faber Developing Artist (Book 3) Current: German Dance in D Major (Haydn) (OF); Melody (Schumann) (OF)
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I just played that song again, and you will all be glad to know I had the meatball version in my head instead of the other morbid one lol. I can now play the Can Can through, still slower than I should be but reasonably consistently. Hopefully in another couple of days I can mark that one off the list too. I am finding that when I go back over the songs I have already learnt I am skipping the ones I didn't like and only playing the ones I did. I hope this isn't a bad habit to get into?
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Mandy, It's o.k. to skip songs you don't like. I mean, the whole reason we play piano is to enjoy it. However, with that being said, make sure that you learn whatever it is that you are suppose to learn from that song. Maybe even try to find another song that has that in it. For example, if you learn a song that introduces a triplet rhythm and you hate playing the song, find a different song with triplets in it that you do like. At this stage you're not just playing music but you're learning skills. So skip away, but make sure that you're learning all the skills that are being presented.
That's my $.02
Warm Regards
Nord Stage 2 HA88 Roland RD800
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I agree about skipping some pieces, but be careful, as in my experience most method books specifically have pieces in them designed to teach particular skills.
Skipping the wrong one could inhibit progress in some specific areas.
Yamaha C2X | Yamaha M500-F Groucho Marx: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Curriculum: Faber Developing Artist (Book 3) Current: German Dance in D Major (Haydn) (OF); Melody (Schumann) (OF)
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Personally, I'm against skipping, especially in a book like Alfred's AIO. I usually skip in a collection like "Easy songs of .." or "First book of ..." but not in a tutorial or a study book. I have noticed that every piece has something to offer for learning and there is a reason for the author to put it there (if he/she is a good author/teacher of course). So, in my case, it is not the question if I like it or not, but it is how I learn it and master it (well, or trying to!).
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Engee, Just to be clear, MandyD indicated that she wasn't skipping the pieces as they were presented, but rather choosing not to review the songs she didn't enjoy playing. I agree that if you're following a method you should learn to play all the pieces presented, because you might need something that song teaches to progress with some of the later songs. However, I don't think it's necessary to keep them up as part of your permanent repertoire. There is no sense in playing music you hate to play. But if you choose not to review pieces that have certain skills taught, I think it is worthwhile to find other songs you like that will let you practice those skills.
Warm Regards
Nord Stage 2 HA88 Roland RD800
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Hey everyone! I've been keeping up with my daily practicing, even if it's only 15-20 minutes some days. I've been spending most of that time reviewing previous lessons, with the only new song learned being "Cockles and Mussels," a fairly simple piece that I enjoyed.
Now I'm ready to move on to the next section with chord progressions and 3 blues pieces. I'm happy to learn this chord stuff, but the blues? Blah. I'll need to figure out how to swing those notes. I started watching some youtube videos about it but the blues sound was getting on my nerves so I stopped. Will try again later. I'm not sure if I should start learning the notes now and then add in the swinging after I figure out how to do that, or what is the best way to approach this. How did you guys do it?
Linda Casio Privia PX-850 (home), Yamaha Upright (lessons)
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Engee, Just to be clear, MandyD indicated that she wasn't skipping the pieces as they were presented, but rather choosing not to review the songs she didn't enjoy playing. I agree that if you're following a method you should learn to play all the pieces presented, because you might need something that song teaches to progress with some of the later songs. However, I don't think it's necessary to keep them up as part of your permanent repertoire. There is no sense in playing music you hate to play. But if you choose not to review pieces that have certain skills taught, I think it is worthwhile to find other songs you like that will let you practice those skills.
Warm Regards Spot on fizikisto. I will also take on the advice to find other songs to play instead so I don't slip in those skills. Linda, I can totally relate, I don't think the blues are going to be my thing either. ps. I was ready to send out a search party lol.
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