How many pieces to be considered at grade X?

[kolmogorov]

Hi,

How many pieces should be played more or less ok to be considered in a certain grade?. For example, in my case, if I am able play 7 pieces of "grade" 7 and 5 pieces of "grade" 8, would I be considered a player of about grade 8 ? (or a player studying and grade 8? ).

thanks

Javier

[lagin]

Well, I'll tell you what you need to do for an exam at each grade level in Canada.  I don't thinkg there is a definate answer to your question, and each country would have different amounts of pieces required for each level of exams, but it gives you a starting point.  So pretending you were doing exams in Canada:



Grades 1 and 2, 1 baroque or classical piece, 1 romantic or 20th century piece, 1 invention, 1 study
Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8: 1 baroque piece, 1 classical piece ( one movement), 1 romantic or 20th century piece, 2 studies
Grade 9: 1 baroque piece (such as a prelude and fugue or Scarlatti sonata), 1 classical piece (one movement), 1 romantic piece, 1 20th century piece, 2 studies
Grade 10: 1 baroque piece (must be by Bach, usually prelude and fugue), 1 classical piece (2 or 3 movements depending on length of sonata), 1 romantic piece, 1 early 20th century piece, 1 late 20th century piece, 2 studies
ARCT (diploma), 1 Bach piece (prelude and fugue, or 3 movements from a suite, or something of that size), 1 entire classical sonata, a romantic piece, an early 20th century piece, 1 late 20th century piece, and a proper etude

Most teachers would agree that doing only just the amount required for an exam is the absolute minimum.  Though in the higher grades 9 - ARCT, that becomes the norm because the pieces are quite long. 

[klick]

Well it really depends on your skill level in each piece too. For example, if the grade 7 pieces are played with much control, and have a much smaller learning curve for you, while the grade 8 pieces have less control, need a lot of work, large lurning curve etc, then I would say you would be at level 7. But if you could play the level 8 pieces with ease and do no find them rather difficult, then obviously you are at the grade 8 level.

Honestly it does not matter what grade your pieces are at unless you are worried for an exam, because there are so many grading systems grades go all over the board. Also, dfficulty is very an opinion of how hard one, two or maybe a board of people feel a piece is, either technicaly, musically, or both. So a grade 8 piece to you may be very easy becuase it fits your strengths.

Grades are fairly insignificant if your not looking at an exam. In your case I would say you would be level 8, because of the volume of pieces. Remember, even though I am grade 8, I can sight-read the entire levels 1-3 or 4, but I am not at the level 4 level!