grade levels

[dougiedog]

Iknow a lot you out there are excellent players. Pianists that play with major symphony orchestras' are way beyond any grade levels. Correct me if that's not right. But at what grade would you put the following non classical pianists or should I say piano players?

Elton John, Billy Joel, Liberace, Rick Wakeman, Diana Krall, Bobby Short etc. Please add whomever else you want to the list. just curious.  Do they have grade levels for jazz or non classical pianists?

[ramithediv]

Iknow a lot you out there are excellent players. Pianists that play with major symphony orchestras' are way beyond any grade levels. Correct me if that's not right. But at what grade would you put the following non classical pianists or should I say piano players?

Elton John, Billy Joel, Liberace, Rick Wakeman, Diana Krall, Bobby Short etc. Please add whomever else you want to the list. just curious.  Do they have grade levels for jazz or non classical pianists?

I don't know the answer to your question, that's if there is one, but, you could ask the same about any instrument.

What Grade of Guitarist was/is Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore or Dave Gilmour??

[dan101]

In Canada, the Royal Conservatory of Music has popular music listings and arrangements in their syllabus.

Of the artists that you mentioned, Billy Joel has some excellent solo numbers that are quite difficult. I would not concern yourself with grade ratings rather with acquiring accurate transcriptions.

[ryanyee]

and i would not concern myself with anything other than classical music.

[pianochick93]

That's a little close-minded isn't it?

There is plently of excellent music out there that isn't classical.

[dan101]

Elton John and Billy Joel are world class professionals with superb techniques. Grade levels are classifications for students, not them.

As for the Royal Conservatory, they do give grade classifications for pop music, but the classification is often dependent on the arranger's (transcriber's) rendition of the work. By the way, I really do agree that an open mind to all styles and genres is a healthy approach to musical growth.

[franz-liszt]

and i would not concern myself with anything other than classical music.

lol...good answer

[ryanyee]

That's a little close-minded isn't it?

There is plently of excellent music out there that isn't classical.

ok. edit: i won't concern myself with anything other than baroque and classical music.

[pianochick93]

ok. edit: i won't concern myself with anything other than baroque and classical music.

Ok. Edit: There is plenty of good music out there that isnt Baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, or otherwise under the general classification of 'classical'

[slobone]

Iknow a lot you out there are excellent players. Pianists that play with major symphony orchestras' are way beyond any grade levels. Correct me if that's not right. But at what grade would you put the following non classical pianists or should I say piano players?

Elton John, Billy Joel, Liberace, Rick Wakeman, Diana Krall, Bobby Short etc. Please add whomever else you want to the list. just curious.  Do they have grade levels for jazz or non classical pianists?

None of the people you mention are jazz piano soloists. If you want to include Art Tatum, Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, etc. you'll probably get a different answer.

And there may actually be grade levels for jazz pianists at conservatories like the Berklee School etc. Anybody know about that?

[ryanyee]

Ok. Edit: There is plenty of good music out there that isnt Baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, or otherwise under the general classification of 'classical'

well i guess u're right then i too close-minded. i don't know why i just seem to dislike other kinds of music. and by the way, i do like a bit of romantic and 20th century music as well.

[pianochick93]

well i guess u're right then i too close-minded. i don't know why i just seem to dislike other kinds of music. and by the way, i do like a bit of romantic and 20th century music as well.

That wasn't what I was getting at, but never mind.

[ryanyee]

yes yes of course i know what u mean.hm... creative thinking on that whatever u call it. what gave u such an idea? the line with the vowels missing?

[pianochick93]

yes yes of course i know what u mean.hm... creative thinking on that whatever u call it. what gave u such an idea? the line with the vowels missing?

what?

[ryanyee]

ur signature i mean.

[timothy42b]

Elton John and Billy Joel are world class professionals with superb techniques. Grade levels are classifications for students, not them.

While I'm not qualified to judge anybody's technique, I have been very impressed with Diana Krall's playing.  And, she does it while singing.  (and, with those dark glasses, looking a little on the stoned side.  but that's probably just for effect.) 

[slobone]

While I'm not qualified to judge anybody's technique, I have been very impressed with Diana Krall's playing.  And, she does it while singing.  (and, with those dark glasses, looking a little on the stoned side.  but that's probably just for effect.) 

Diana Krall wears dark glasses? Are you sure you're not thinking of Diane Schuur (who's blind BTW)...

[timothy42b]

Diana Krall wears dark glasses? Are you sure you're not thinking of Diane Schuur (who's blind BTW)...

I saw her on late night Astra, not sure what channel.  BR or HR maybe. 

I know I got the name right because I went to the library the next day and checked out her CDs. 

I dunno what she wears all the time but she was looking hip that night.