How do you determine your playing level?

[Chiyo]

I've always wondered, how do you know what playing level are you on? And how do you determine what piece is suitable for you?

I like challenging myself to play hard pieces, but I wonder if it'll do bad for me. (I've learned for 7 years.)

[BuyBuy]

You buy a pianometer.
You put it on top of your piano.
You play the hardest piece you're able to play.
If the pianometer turns blue, you're pathetic.
If it turns yellow, you're average.
If it turns red, you're really good.
If it blows, you're a genius.

No comment... Now really, what do you mean by level ? I mean, that's pretty subjective, depending on who you ask and what school you attend, and it involves so many parameters : musicality, technique, repertoire... I don't think it's so easy to judge. We just like to classify such things to feel better or to compare ourselves to others, but it doesn't really work. Just don't worry about it and keep playing.

If someome hasn't realize, pianometer does not exist, so don't run to the store to ask for one (just in case...).

[chopinetta]

is there really such thing as a pianometer??!!

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

you're kidding right?  "If someome hasn't realize, pianometer does not exist, so don't run to the store to ask for one (just in case...)."

[amee]

It is always good to challenge yourself, but be careful not to go above your level.  Its an easy way to get RSI when you strain too hard and try to play something too difficult, and some pianists have damaged their hands permanantly.

[chopinetta]

hello amee!
i think going above your level (way up high) will just give you some stress. but you should add at least one piece which is above you level to your repertoire, it will help you improve...

oh about the pianometer thing, sorry i didn't realize that too soon. i am having some kind of habit/mannerism of believing whatever people say in this forum... it's very influential...

a pianometer sounds a good idea, i'll try to invent one when i'll go to college and have robotics!

[Rach3]

How and why would you build a robot to listen to pianists play? Robots are awful musicians; just look at (listen to) MIDI. I hope my metronome doesn't start judging me anytime soon!   :-/

[amee]

You could roughly determine your level by doing Grades/Diploma levels.  In regards to choosing what piece is suitable for you, I suppose it is what you enjoy/are interested in/play well.  All of those factors count.

[chopinetta]

amee's points are good!

ok, enough about the robot thing! it's making me laugh at myself!  

pianometer thing!

midis sometimes do sound horrible, but it only gives you an idea of how a piece is played, i know, midis are dry! but mp3s take a long time to download, better off with a midi, but don't copy it, don't play the piece the way the midi did!

[Chiyo]

Regarding to college degrees, do you have to be able to play certain works such as Chopin and Lizst's works? How do you get grades in music performance?

[chopinetta]

i think you get grades on how you interpret the works. if it's dry, you get low, if it's beutiful and right, you get it high.

[amee]

Yes, interpretation is very important.  Different people can interpret the same work in entirely different ways, its quite interesting when you listen to two pianists playing the same piece and it sounds completely different.

[frederic]

I think that everyone should go for whatever piece they want. No matter what level you're at. But there is one thing you have to remember: Don't force yourself into doing something to know you can't do.

[chopinetta]

yes, you are right frederic, and you have to put interest and hard work on your piece, and pour on it your feelings! do not make music, be one with it!

[BuyBuy]

Hey everybody !

I didn't log into the forum for a few days, and I realize how much noise that pianometer thing I invented produced... You guys really thought it was for real ?

A pianometer wouldn't be a good idea anyways, as it would push us to satisfy the standard of a machine, and would stop us from using or heart and spirit for interpretation.

I guess next time I'll avoid silly jokes.

[Chiyo]

Ahh

Most hard pieces I can't even play well anyways,
I'll stay where I'm capable of.

[chopinetta]

well, maybe i was the only one who didn't realized it wasn't for real! lol!