Henle Compared to RCM ratings

[charles-piano]

Hi,
I recently learned about the henle rating system, and I've found that people also commonly use another system that uses piano grade levels, which I'm not so familiar with. Does anyone know how the two systems compare in difficulty, as in which numbers correspond to which grades?

[ranjit]

Henle attempts to grade all pieces of the piano repertoire. RCM's grade levels usually contain easy pieces. (All of the harder ones are usually lumped in the performer-level category despite the huge difference between e.g. Mazeppa and Liebestraum.

I'm more familiar with ABRSM, so based on what I've seen, grade 6 Henle corresponds to grade 8 ABRSM, with the Schubert Impromptus, easier Chopin waltzes etc. Grade 7 Henle corresponds to about dipABRSM with Liebestraum, Fantaisie Impromptu, easier Chopin etudes. I haven't seen any grade 8 ABRSM pieces which are grade 7 Henle, so I'd say grade 6 Henle is about grade 8 ABRSM.

I would say grade 10 RCM is also close to grade 6 Henle. However there are also some grade 6/7 pieces in there. Liebestraum which is Henle 6/7, used to be grade 10, but they bumped it up.

I realize I haven't written too much about the lower grades. I don't have that much experience evaluating them. I also find their syllabus weird, especially when it comes to technique. All scales are at about equal difficulty, yet they split them into multiple years, they introduce arpeggios and sight reading simultaneously which are harder, etc. I don't really think skill at the piano develops in the way they seem to imply through their syllabus at all, but again, that is my personal opinion.

[charles-piano]

Thank you, that is very helpful. Do you know where I could find a list or something of all of the ratings for RCM?

[dogperson]

Thank you, that is very helpful. Do you know where I could find a list or something of all of the ratings for RCM?

If you want to check the rating for an individual piece, you can use pianosullabus.com

The RCM syllabus is online . To my knowledge there is not a master list; you will need to check each grade

https://rcmusic-kentico-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/rcm/media/main/documents/examinations/syllabi/s41_pianosyllabus_2016_online_f.pdf

[lelle]

It seems like a nearly impossible task to rank different pieces in difficulty anyways. Isn't it pretty subjective?

[dogperson]

It seems like a nearly impossible task to rank different pieces in difficulty anyways. Isn't it pretty subjective?

Spend a few minutes with pianosyllabus.com, as it shows all ratings by exam boards.  Yes there are, and will always be, differences, as ratings of difficulty cannot be completely objective.  That being said, the ratings are often similar:I.e. 7-9, depending on the board.

[jimf12]

In general I find the ratings helpful when deciding what piece is in my range.   There are some differences of course, but if used as a general guide it does have some use.   I've seen Henle 6 generally translates to RCM 10, but not always.   One example is Arabesque by Debussy, RCM has that as a 10 and Henle a 4.   Based on other pieces rated similarly, Henle rated that too low. 

[chechig]

It's quite confusing this level rating. It's not logical the same piece rated 6 up to 9. Henle for me it's the least realistic of all.
The numbers refer to years of study?

[dogperson]

It's quite confusing this level rating. It's not logical the same piece rated 6 up to 9. Henle for me it's the least realistic of all.
The numbers refer to years of study?

Henle does not have the same gicus.
- the scale is only through 9, rather than the exam levels through 10 and +
- the effect is that grades cover a wider range of material than a more expanded scale 


Here is their explanation of grading
https://www.henle.de/us/about-us/levels-of-difficulty-piano/

[jimf12]

You can't compare a number in one rating system to another because they all are calibrated differently.   The numbers are just numbers, not years of study or anything like that.   If you know a reference point, then the ratings can be somewhat helpful.     

Henle actually makes the most sense to me, because ABRSM, RCM etc.. don't give ratings to virtuosic pieces as I understand it.   They lump all of those in the + category.   Henle does rate those.   Plus, it's easier for me to find the Henle ratings.   

[chechig]

Thank for your answers