What Separates Intermediate from Beginner Pianists?? 

Basically, he is saying that I am still a beginner after 10 years of practice 😞

I took lessons for about 15 years, through college, and especially my college teacher really pushed me in good ways. but I was always so focused on making measurable progress on my pieces week to week, I wouldn't allow myself room to just sit and play around with one phrase for 2 hours with no guarantee of progress. 6 months ago I started playing again after 8 years away from the instrument and I told myself I'd see how far I could get without a teacher, then find one when I hit a wall. Well, in 6 months I've made more progress than I did in 2 years of lessons, in part because I've spent more time at the piano, several hours most days compared to 60-90 mins a day, but in part because I needed to allow myself permission to be inefficient with my practice in order to learn how to be efficient. Surprise, surprise, many of the things that in college I wouldn't do because there was no guarantee of progress, I realized were actually the things that have caused me to make the most progress, often in a short burst. For example, I was struggling to get a certain arpeggio past 70bpm for sextuplets, and after literally an hour of just trying random things on one measure, I had an epiphany and within 2 minutes got the arpeggio up to 105 bpm while also making it far more fluid and even than it'd been at 70. A good teacher could have identified the problem in 30 seconds, I'm sure, but I had some sort of understanding gap in physically playing the piano that can't be taught verbally, it must be felt, and while teachers tried to explain how I can go about feeling it, with varying degrees of success, I never spent the time necessary playing around with movements and physical sensation to internalize it - I was always trying to move my hand or fingers in the way my teachers said I should, but without the fluidity one would have if they really understood the concept, rather than just attempting to force a bunch of micromovements to make my hand do the thing it was supposed to do. Watching this video was so satisfying because at the end of college, I was playing early advanced repertoire, and often could get it to come together pretty well, but I didn't have the comfort or understanding of piano I thought I should have, but couldn't really articulate exactly what was wrong. I would have maybe passed 4/7 of these. But now, years later but with only 6 months more practice, I can confidently say I am competent in all 7. I'd love to see a similar video on the difference between intermediate and advanced.

Thank you for this! We need more intermediate level lessons and tips on RU-vid!

Ah, dear, will always be a beginner.

-😱😱 wait, it's all scales?? -😵 🔫 always has been

I totally agree with you about different keys. Almost like learning a totally different instrument learning a different key. I'm pretty good in C, G, F, Eb, Bb, D and A, However, I'm not sure every top pianist can transpose any piece into any key at the drop of a hat. Having said that, I'm sure learning all the keys really well is a good thing.

I found this by accident after hearing a Mozart piano sonatas today on the radio that he described as for beginners so I was trying to find beginners performances as I was thinking perhaps there are some pieces that they could do as well as a more advanced player could. But I was glad to find your video and found it very relevant to my own experience and have assessed myself as almost intermediate. I can't remember section by section but I did not know the 1, 1V, V, V1 for example but having heard them could clearly hear the same progression each time in the different variations. I could also easily sing back your little melody but I am really not good at playing by ear but could have figured it out on the piano in 2 or 3 goes. I have dabbled with a lot of musical opportunities in all my almost 60 years, but piano is the one I use the most. I only ever had 10 lessons when I was 13 when we were looking after someone's piano for them and I had taught myself from a tutor book and got stuck on grade 3. But I hated the lessons. Then my daughter saw an ex demo electric grand piano and asked could we get it which we did. She taught herself and has passed her grade 8 and did music at uni and now teaches. Her first instrument was clarinet. She hated her lessons but carried on so that she could use the school clarinet to play duets with me at home. My first instrument was also clarinet. But she got her own piano at uni so I have kept the original one. I love to learn by playing lots of variety of pieces, which each have their various challenges within them. I have improved enough and learned enough chords by name that I can manage basic pieces pretty well with either reading both hands or playing the melody right hand and improvising left hand based on the chord notation. If there is no chord notation I can often figure something out but not at a sight read. Recently we got stuck at church and I was able to fill in just enough, some items better than others depending if I already knew them or not. I could not have done that 3 years ago. I know I continue to make progress e.g. some music seems relatively easy now that was a real struggle a couple of years back and I am tackling more difficult pieces not just ones that have been specially arranged, so I am definitely forward from "easy pieces", which I was enjoying but now they don't seem full enough in comparison. I love listening to radio 3 and I think that helps to develop the discernment on the listening skills. Your #7 all comes easily to me. I have a good awareness of all those points you mentioned and I love trying to get them all right and really enjoy when a piece or part becomes fluent. I have sung all my life too including in choirs so all that training will have contributed to e.g. dynamics. I have a huge collection of music to play but I can't resist picking up more when I see some I can afford mostly in charity shops. I had to buy more storage for it but I donated some of the very easy stuff now to the library as the music section is pretty woeful. I am just glad I have the opportunity to enjoy it anyway but I may well have a browse through some more of your videos now I have discovered them. Thank you for doing them :)

Excellent video. I find this inspirational. Going to keep at it! It is a lifelong pursuit. Have fun playing. I am having much more fun the deeper I get!

Fabulous video! Thank you. 👍

This was very helpful. Thank you.

Excellent video. Thanks!

Loved the audiation skill. It was 7 AM when I was watching this and even that early, I sang it back and then played it on the piano. I teach piano on the side as I'm an elementary music teacher by day. I didn't take formal piano lessons until I was in college. Thank you for letting me know I'm on my way to advanced intermediate despite my later start. 😅

Wonderful VID! The point about keys and their scales and arpeggi is astoundingly clarifying! Once all the relations are "within and ready" in your mind and hands, you have already acquired an intimacy with the instrument that simply opens the gates to more demanding challenges!

When I was playing regularly in uni, I remember having "automatic" moments when i would hear something in my head, and the music would just materialize through my fingers. That. was. awesome, and I would love to get back to that place. :)

I really enjoyed this take on beginner vs intermediate level. It gave me a few things to work on. Thank you!!!

Thanks Charles, I found that very inspiring!

congrats on 10k subscribers !

Great video! I'm a late beginner but my ears are late intermediate because I've been practicing relative pitch for quite a while now. With the reference note, I was immediately able to play the melody on my first try! I'm also able to transpose the melody to different keys. At the moment I'm learning to recognize chord progressions.

Each of my hands appear to belong to different people 😢. And oh man, after watching this, my question is, what comes before beginner? This is actually depressing.

Wonderful video! You explain very very well. Love how you emphasize that it's not about the repertoire. Professionals often enjoy playing 'simple' music because there's things to work on at any level of repertoire.

Subscribed. This is fantastic. Thank you.

Looking at this video, it's done a great job of telling me what sort of level I'm at. In some respects, I'm more advanced than I thought I was, in others I'm not as far as I thought. I have to admit, though, I'd never heard of a V7 chord and I've had to look that one up. I will be adding it to my practice sessions, though. Very informative video, thank you.

A very interesting and fruitful video of yours. I shall get back to you in a few months to subscribe to one of your curricula.

Hi Charles, great video as always. Thanks, I have been playing about 2.5 years now and didn’t really know where I stood, thinking I was still perhaps a late beginner level but you’ve confirmed for me that I am definitely at least an early intermediate which is nice to know. Again, thanks and thanks for being part of my piano journey.

I can already do many of the intermediate level technical skills, but I seriously lack in audiation and ear recognition. And I have difficulty playing simple songs. I have an inner ear problem which gives me an excuse, but I've also made some progress. Actually, I don't mind calling myself a beginner for several more years. I've geeked out on music theory, and my piano teacher is impressed with what I am doing. And supportive in continuing on the journey. This was a good explanation and helps many of us with taking an honest assessment. Merci from western Switzerland.

Great video Charles! So, after playing the Piano for 25 years, you confirm what I already knew about me : I'm still a beginner haha. The only point from your video I can partially achieve is the last one.

Great video!! I’d like a video like this but between intermediates and advanced

May I add? Hand independence; the ability to play opposing touches (legato, staccato, slurs) and opposing dynamics (louds and softs) at the same time with each hand having the opposite task.

Subbed - great video! Would love to see your take on a daily skills exercise that covers these 7 topics practically that one could do before and/or after practicing pieces (the fun stuff) I’m a guitar player with over 20 years experience so all of the theory points you hit resonated with me with and how I think about the guitar. Translating those to piano has been challenging to put it lightly ❤

Best explaining I ever heard. In fact the only explaining I ever heard. So I am an intermediate player, sadly enough an early intermediate player. And the reason is because so much is missing in basic knowledge. And it is hard to catch up. Thankfully enough I now have a teacher trying to fill in the gaps.

As a dyslexic musician I found this video to be very helpful. It's painful to go back to square one and start from scratch again, but necessary. I've always had great difficulty reading music, but will try to focus on what you suggest. I've subscribed and will buy your course. Many thanks😎

Many piano students can play pieces of a certain level, but nevertheless, they are not very fluent in chords and inversions (especially more advanced chords). They need to prepare it beforehand. In my opinion this is often overlooked.

Excellent video. I have never heard anyone clearly articulate the difference between, Beginner and Intermediate Piano Learner. Perhaps you could mention some Piano pieces which would give examples of what a Player could be expected to perform at the different Levels. Thank you Maestro. I look forward to more Videos from you.

A fascinating and very humbling video 😮

1-yes but only on my piano, i get startled if i use other piano 2-yes on learned songs and daily practices, 3-no, currently working on it being automatic; 4-yes, can sing after hearing once, have realtive pith but not perfect; 5-yes a little bit, but would prefer much more work; 6-yes, comes very naturally to me so no credit to my practice; 7-yes, sometimes i overdo it so needs work. So a late beginner after staring piano at age 35 (now 37), no formal training before but once i hear a song i can sing it back pretty well, so gifted with that and long fingers with good spread. Anything is possible with at least 2 hours (4 pomodoros) each day. Also, one trick to get more practice is to get a very comfortable bench and invest in a real piano. My practice quality, quantity and results went a few notches up since I got the bench that you are using (thank you for that video) and since I got my C. Bechstein.

This is a great and informative video. As a returning player I find myself simultaneously at beginner, intermediate and perhaps (just brushing against) advanced level in different respects. This is a bit of a challenge because the required beginner work does not really spark joy for me. But this is very enlightening.

When you watch a video hoping you’re not a beginner and then you find out you are definitely still a beginner. 😅 Knowledge is motivation and power. And, honestly, I sort of knew this, even if I can play pieces of difficult pieces and I am not new to piano. But now I know what I need because I truly want to improve and be proud when I do!

For those of us led astray by musical whim & will-o-the-wisps, back to the light, back to the road.

I would say that I am good for all of these bar number 1. My childhood piano teacher told me I was musically dyslexic, so I never really learned scales or sight reading. I have been working on my reading lately and it has been paying dividends, allowing me to learn more complex pieces like Chopin nocturne op 9 no 1. I still can't do those runs though!

this is why I love the RCM piano piano program, its stress all the necessary techniques and skills to be a well rounded pianist

This was very helpful as I try to pick up piano again after 30 years

Excellent 1) I noticed in the last two years or so I have a feel for one key versus another , and enjoy trying something in another key and can imagine how the chord shape will be different 2) my piano teacher told me that often the timing of the right hand is ok, and the "left hand sort of trundles along" - I find myself saying to the left : "come along little doggies" - so at least I realize when the doggies need encouragement 😀 The denouement is Recently , I find I don't worry much about whether I'm intermediate or not So another precept would be : if someone asks whether you're intermediate you say "idk , I can do quite a few things , some other things I can't do at all "😀

As a late beginner, I find the most trouble I have in advancing to intermediate is being able to play pieces with faster tempos. Moderator is somewhat fine, but I might as well forget about allegro!

Thx for the video Charles :) I feel like my 'audiation' skills are a bit behind from everything else,,, the thing you did at 5:25 is what i have to do in my exam soon, but i often struggle to remember a 2 phrase melody. Pitch identification generally isnt the issue, i just cant remember it lol. Also do u have any advice on how can i recognise which key a phrase modulates to? (Its also a part of my exam)

Thank you for your knowledge. So wish I would have started learning and playing as a child. Suppose after 30 years you would still call me a beginner yet, I have spent most of that time developing a playing technique by never forcing the tone; having their sympathetic vibrations ring like bells. In some ways I play the piano and not piano music . Also against all decorum the sustain pedal stays on and I have never used a metronome prefering to play each note from my heart.Many listeners have told how much my playing moved them. Yet, I would say the classical players in my town look down at their noses at my playing.

In terms of music theory and ear training, I’m intermediate to late intermediate, because I played the violin and I sing. Chord theory is intermediate, but piano technique is early intermediate. A lot of the pedagogical pieces I have been working on deal with hand coordination and piano geography. They have titles like Billowing Breakers, The Sea, By the Brook-lots of water and wave references. I’m actually finding dynamics the hardest part, and I should put that into my scale practice. Thank you!

I'm only a beginner as I just started practicing 4 months ago, and can only play simple melodies and chords with both hands... but not yet together. My sight reading is also about the same level as my playing skill, ie I can read and write simple melodies in sheet music but nothing close to intermediate level. But there's a lot of the other things on this list that I can do. I very easily hear if I play something wrong, not just notes but also rhythm and technique. I've learned most of the major and minor scales by now, including harmonic and melodic minor scales, and they definitely feel different for me. I've also already learned how to change the key signature of simple melodies by treating the notes more like their numbers and paying attention to the half steps and whole steps as well as the root note. I learned this very early on because I quickly realized I needed to play my scales in an actual melody to imprint them into my head. So I created a simple melody containing all 7 (8) notes, and translated it into each scale. And it worked, it was a brilliant idea! I know the 7 basic chords for some of the scales: C and G major, A, B, F and G minor. I can definitely hear the difference between major, minor, diminished and augmented chords, and I think I've gotten a fairly firm grasp on more than just the basics of music theory. I think this uneven level of knowledge is due to that I'm teaching myself and thus easily end up spending way more time watching youtube videos on music theory and changing the key of the same song (my own creation) again for the 5th time as I struggle to make it perfect. Also being fascinated by all kinds of music and genres, I very quickly practiced playing songs in odd time signatures like 7/8, and doing so forced me to improve my sense of rhythm fast, because those time signatures are a bit harder to count and you can't really do them sloppily. Although I haven't used the metronome much, it's easier for me to find the rhythm in the melody instead. That way I feel more connected to what I'm playing as well. So more beginner focused stuff kinda ended up on the backburner for me. Instead of learning more songs I just keep replaying the handful I know. I haven't practiced two-hand playing much at all, because I know I suck at multi-tasking in general (I don't even type with both hands) which I know is a terrible excuse, but point being: without a teacher, it's easy to make stupid priorities based on what's fun. Also a big reason my practice has been so disorganized is because I up until 2 days ago only had a tiny toy piano as my instrumment, which means there was a lot I couldn't physically do. So in order to not get discouraged, I just kept doing what I could with it, as I thought that's bettter than nothing. But now I finally have a real piano and that has improved my practice a lot already. All the work I put into proper fingering techniques, rhythm, learning where the notes are on the piano, sight reading, etc, made me basically get used to playing on a real piano within hours. Also, if I know more than the average beginner, that's probably because I've been consistently practicing 3-10 hours daily, and that's not even including the amount of time I've been learning music theory, because I do that more passively while doing other stuff at the same time. All in all that is a lot of time compressed into these past 4 months, that I've either been fingers stuck in the keyboard or soaking up information.

Would also love to see lists what separates intermediates from advanced, and advanced from professional (:

I wish my teachers pushed me to take a theory course I dunno why I wasn’t motivated work I guess. When I finally took a couple it made reading and memorization much easier and also figuring out something you heard in a movie or musical where there’s no score much easier. I still have ear training apps and finally getting deeper into jazz pieces and it makes practicing classical pieces less of a grind.

I like your playing. But your jacket, where did you get it sir? I want one too.

Most of my errors are in Techmique as I am mostly selftaught. Intetmediate Skills- Point 1: ✔️ Point 2: ‼️ Point 3: ‼️ Point 4: ✔️ Point 5: ✔️/‼️ Point 6: ✔️/‼️ Point 7: ✔️

Hi Charles I hope you don’t mind a question here. Unfortunately I can’t afford a teacher at the moment so I’m struggling to improve in certain areas such as moving my thumb efficiently whilst playing scales more rapidly. I have naturally scoured RU-vid but am confused by the different approaches. Would you be happy to share your advice? I am using some of the books such as the Faber New Hanon you have recommended, and watched your videos on the first three movements. Perhaps you might continue in that vein, I think many of us would appreciate it. Many thanks, Kevin

Consider: an intermediate pianist maintains a ready repertory , the tunes and pieces they carry by heart Great video ...thanks

Realization, you defined me as a beginner able to play some intermediate pieces but no foundation. I better hit those scales… Any videos on how to learn scales in a fun way and make them stick? Thank you for the help…. I’ll keep watching.( and playing)

What would be a pianist who 1. volontarily desynchonize hands like Liszt ? beyond pro ? 2. sight read and reduce orchestra scores ? 3. transpose any piece into any tonality ? 4. play a piece whatever how complex by hearing it (eg., Tatum playing Horowit's arrangement) ? 5. compose-improvise into a) any existing style (eg., Messiaen, Bach) b) any never heard style ? 6. sight read a tempo a) Chopin's études b) Liszt's études c) Ligeti's études d) Godowsky's études ?

Great vid. But one comment is - that - when I play the same tune in different keys --- as in 'transcribed' - it might sound different to me for a short time when switching from one key to the other. But after a certain time, I don 't feel any different - because it's all relative within own key. Maybe other people feel differently - even in own key. I don't feel that though. After enough time in one key - it becomes the same as playing in a different key.

I have discovered at a very late age I have a condition call Aphantasia! This means I have no ‘minds eye’ and do not visualise in my head. Unfortunately, I cannot ‘hear’ music in my head either! So point four is totally irrelevant for me. I am trying to identify the different ways of learning and why I could never progress beyond advanced intermediate. Do you have any experience teaching people with Aphantasia?

Such a nice teacher!❤ Thank You so much for this video. It is very helpful. I took Piano 1 Class last semester at our local community college at the age of 63. Now I'm taking Piano 2. It's hard, but I'm doing fine. Straight "A"s in all assignments. You inspired me even more.

so im a beginner, some of the stuff u mentioned tho im closer to intermediate, like the scales, and recognizing different feels for different scales. problem is im only good at the C major scale, i know all other minor and major scales but havent tried playing yhem with both hands on multiple octaves, what would you recommrnd? just pick a randon scale everyday? do all scales that use the same fingering in one day then different ones in other days? etc...

Something I've heard from piano instructors online and those of other instruments is to "not practice wrong," meaning not to practice mistakes. But I find if I play the notes correctly, especially for something I'm going through for the first time, I'm probably playing the rhythm incorrectly. At the pace I may need to play on a first (or fifth) pass, it's slow enough that keeping a steady rhythm is difficult. So maybe some of the problems is sight reading (how does that fit with beginner/intermediate classifications?). But what's the right perspective here for practice assuming I can recognize the note, rhythm, and dynamic errors?

Ironically, my musical knowledge exceeds my ability to actually play the piano. Other adult students of my piano teacher are far beyond me at playing classical piano, but don’t have ANY music theory knowledge. I arrange and compose at my intermediate level. I lean towards jazz that is rhythmically difficult for the other students to play. I took Music Theory 2 from Berklee Online (and got an A). I don’t play fast, but I play very expressively. I’m probably never going to advance beyond intermediate level because I’m approaching 60, but I’m making the most of it. 👍

I'm definitely a beginner, however I was advancing very quickly when I was studying 45 min on week nights and around 2hs on weekend days. That routine was hard to keep, so in about 6 months, with work stress, I let go ... Which is frustrating, because now I can't go back to that level, I have to start from earlier... I know people say that if you have 15 yo 20 minutes a day you should use that. But for me it takes me time to really get into it, do scales, technique, répertoire.... 45 min was my sweet learning spot, but I just can't find that time anymore

Just for completeness sake, could you please do a list for Beginners and Advanced players. It would be interesting to see what thoes look like.

Hi, I’m having trouble with number two specifically where one hand is further than the other, for some reason my right hand will get a note ahead, any tips on how to fix this?

Best channel

Thanks a lot. But, how about proper use and control of pedal? I think this is extremely important and should have been in the list. But, let me know what you think.

I think I had to play an RCM book 6 piece to test out of piano skills. About what level would that have been?

I got 3 or 4 of the 7 :D had class for 3 months and been self taught for 3 other months, teacher never rly taught me any theory :P she did help me play some chopin though

Me too. I am beginner it seems too. My piano teacher doesn’t cover this range of topics

Any recommendations for a good online course that can take someone from a beginner to that intermediate level?

Ear recognition? Got it nailed down. #7: no problem. Fingers are fairly fluid on the piano keyboard. Hands work together fairly well. Comprehension of music theory? Now that's a challenge. I can see it via workbooks. I can play the scales, and inversions etc. but comprehend it? I feel like I'm trying to comprehend upper level math or Greek: it's not "clicking". So I move on. I play what I like, I feel what I play, sometimes a piece is so beautiful I, literally, cry while playing it, but music theory? Nope, no comprehende.

3 and a half years…one hour plus practice every single day. I’m still a beginner. 😢

I learn and play songs I like from hymns to pop to show tunes and classics. I'm not sure I need to know all this technical stuff bec I play for my enjoyment - not to satify some requirements of what might be taught in a music school.

as someone who's been playing piano for almost a year, is it bad that i have only been focusing on popular pieces instead of learning chords, scales, etc?

Do you teach music theory, chord progression, etc.?

I do have some trouble with #2 even though I'm advanced, probably because I've never committed to practicing scales. I mean, sure, I'm still able to do so relatively well, but it's nevertheless an aspect of the technique that's lagging behind the other aspects

Some of them yes and no, so not beginner but neither intermediate, good video

Today I learned I'm an advanced beginner!

Just making sure. Rep is repertoire? Can you do one for advanced?

I might suggest one more. That an intermediate level pianist should be able to control the balance and voicing of their playing. In other words, can they bring out the melody, so that it can be consistently heard and distinguished from the accompanying parts? For a more advanced pianist, can they do this when the melody is played by the left hand?

I daresay you've missed a trick here Charles. I immediately went to the masterclass site thinking, he must have some course on working through these things, but alas no. There's also a bit of irony in that you have lessons on individual pieces that, while I'm sure do cover some technique, obviously focus on adding to your repertoire. I would love to see a course that focuses on the content of this video and includes a little repertoire or points to your other videos to take it further.

Others, more than intermediate, players, don't agree with this opinion about keys. They explain and demonstrate it really was a difference in the past, but not today with equal tuning. It's a difference for other instruments, where some keys are more problematic to play than others. Obviously, there is a difference in pitch, or which is created when one tends to play different kind of melodies in each key :)

I'm not keen on learning scales the traditional way. I think it's wiser to tailor them to the pieces you learn. Example. ABRSM Grade 1 asks you to learn a handful of scales, and a few arpeggios. I think it's more beneficial to learn the scales and arpeggios of THE PIECES YOU ARE WORKING ON. Say you choose a piece in C, another in Dminor, another in F. Three scales, three arpeggios, are plenty to be getting on with, and they're going to assist you in playing your pieces.

When you got halfway through #3 I started giggling thinking about how very static Horowitz is, though he clearly masters fluidity. Those long magical fingers, not a note that can hide from him...I don't care for pianists that take liberty with this to the point its ornamental and unnecessary. I get its a performance but I'm personally a fan of the delicate "understated" performances.

I’m definitely a beginner having started playing in very late in life, I almost certainly always will be. But then my objectives are perhaps different to someone who starts playing early in life. I’m not clear what the message of this video is (after all most of us know where we are on the spectrum). I’ve never been keen on elitism it discourages participation.

So much to learn, so little time…😢

Listen to the dim and aug chords again

looks like im a beginner pianist who plays moonlight sonata 3rd movement :> And not bad at all :>

This video is the reason so many people quit piano, or at least classical piano. Imagine beeing called a beginner after practising every day for several years.

In a nutshell I think this is why so many give up piano lessons. Nowhere is there any mention of the ability to actually play music. I can't rattle off 75% of what you were using as your benchmarks but I can play a variety of moderately advanced pieces including Clair de Lune, Liebestraume and arrangements by other RU-vidrs such as Francesco Parrino. I'm 74, take my practice very seriously and find by learning an ever expanding repertoire of pieces I enjoy playing, I have become adept at playing runs, arpeggios etc, all the while bypassing the drudgery of the technical aspects you are detailing in your video. To paraphrase Errol Garner, What the audience hears is the music.

Besides having better hands coordination, the main thing that separates beginners from intermediates is ear training. From my experience there is a lack of ear training of many intermediate pianists. As an adult learner I was able to reproduce more or less a theme from a TV commercial on a piano years before actually taking up the instrument. There are people in the family who took lessons as a child and passed conservatory levels. Few can play a scale by ear. They can sort of sing along to a song on radio. Reproducing the theme on piano definitely not. Isn’t ear training part of a conservatory exam? People who have music lessons for at least a year supposed to have well-trained ears?

What is rep?

Oh darn! I’m still a beginner

I can't understand why on a chromatic instrument, it could make a difference which key a piece is in. As the pastor just start to sing at a random pitch don't the organ player just transpose the accompanyment. I realize that I 'm nt an intermediate player while banswering some questionsw with yes. All questions with musical content I fail, being able to answer theoretical questions donot matter really. I' m so far distanced from repeating a melody shorter and simpler than shown here, even repeated a dozen times. I could play Bach inventio 13 by heart (the only piece approximately). After 50 years i realized that this is a canon and that the voice start with the same melodic line, ONLY WHILE TRANSCIBING THE MUSIC INTO A COMPUTER.

I wonder where pedaling fits into this list. Is that a beginner skill? Intermediate? I've been playing for 3 1/2 years & I find pedaling difficult. Also considering how critical it is, it seems not to be covered as a topic very often.

Can you break a grand piano like Mazuev?

I can do half of all that. I'm 3 years Self-taught. I developed my own style. Unlike the pros. It sounds more like rap than classical.

❤😊

It’s funny that as a kid, you don’t even think about these things. Lol! 😂😂😂

Intermediate 8 year old who play moonlight sonata 3rd movement