In order to best make use of the content found on Flex Lessons, you will need to have a general sense of your Level Number.  Your level number is a rough estimate of the most appropriate pieces and exercises that you should be studying.

Each level corresponds to a specific Masterwork Classics Book as well as any related exercises and studies…more on this later.

How to Determine Your Level Number

I created a placement guide for you to download and play through which will help you determine your level number quickly. If you are not a total beginner, please download this guide and follow the instructions.

Piano Repertoire Placement Guide

Here is a general overview of how the levels break down:

  • Piano Essentials For Beginners is a two part series that contains content for absolute beginners and folks who haven’t played in a while. These preparation courses are not assigned a level number.

  • Level 1-3 contains content for beginner and late beginner students. This includes short pieces in easy keys from composers like Kabakevsky, Kohler, Turk, and so on.

  • Level 4-7 contains content for intermediate students. Examples of these pieces would include Clementi Sonatinas, Anna Magdalena Bach pieces, Burgmuller Op. 100 pieces, and ultimately, easier works by Heller, Chopin, and others.

  • Level 8-10 contains content for early advanced students. The membership does not currently cover this level range, but it likely will in the future. These pieces include Bach Inventions, Sonatas from multiple composers, Waltzes and Mazurkas from Chopin, and other pieces aimed at helping a student reach an advanced level.

If you are new to the piano, you should definitely start with Piano Essentials for Beginners, as these will prepare you for Level 1-2 content.

Getting Help with Your Level Number

I would like to encourage anyone who isn’t a complete beginner to open up a chat with me and tell me about your experience with piano. Here are a few questions to consider that will help me determine your level number:

  • Using the placement guide linked above, what is the highest level of piece that you were able to navigate successfully?

  • What scales and exercises have you studied? What keys?

  • Have you studied any pieces recently? How did these pieces feel? Did they take longer than a month to learn?

  • What pieces do you last remember playing well?

  • Are there any specific music related topics that you would like to address?

I can get you placed really fast with a bit of information. If needed, I would gladly meet you once on Zoom (for free!) to help you determine your level number.

Generally speaking, you should study material that strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge. This is very important!

On the next page, you will learn how the courses work.