Assessing Your Level

So here you are, all geared up ready to learn the piano. You have your keyboard or piano, a seat at the right height and sufficient time in the week to practice. Now what you need is the right piano music!

Many of my students have bought either a published book of Easy Piano Music or have downloaded Beginner Piano Sheet Music and have found it totally unsuitable for the beginner piano player.

As a piano teacher it is my goal to match the right music to the student. When this happens the student feels motivated and excited about playing the piece and progresses quicker.

All of the piano music on my site is arranged into levels of learning. I have split beginner piano into 4 progressive levels as demonstrated below. Please click the images below for a larger view.

To demonstrate this, I have arranged the song Happy Birthday at the 4 different levels.  This is available as a free download at the end of the page, labelled Beginner Piano assessing your level.

Beginner Piano Level 1

Level 1 is designed for the total beginner and is suitable for ages 7 and above. Here are the musical symbols you will be using in Level 1

In Level 1 the thumbs share the note middle C. The left hand plays the 5 notes F, G, A, B and Middle C. The right hand plays the 5 notes Middle C, D, E, F and G.  Sharps and flats (the black keys) are used when necessary. Each piece has either 4 beats or 3 beats in a bar.

Beginner Piano Level 1 “Happy Birthday”

Beginner Piano Level 2

Level 2 is slightly more advanced and is suitable for ages 7 and above. 
Here are the additional musical symbols for Level 2.

The pieces are in either the key of C major (using just the white keys) or in the key of F major (the note B is played as a B flat) The hands play one octave apart. Triads (chords) of C major and F major may be played in either hand. Sharps and flats (the black keys) are used when necessary. Each piece has either 4 beats or 3 beats in a bar.

Beginner Piano Level 2 “Happy Birthday”

Beginner Piano Level 3

The arrangements in Level 3 are fuller and are suitable for ages 7 and above. Here are the additional musical symbols for Level 3.

The pieces are in the keys of C major, F major (introduced in level 2), plus the new keys of G major (which uses an F sharp) and D major (which uses both F and C sharp). Triads (chords) may be played in either hand. The right hand moves within the range of approximately one octave. The left stays in one position. Italian terms for dynamics (playing loudly and quietly) are indicated within the music. Tempo markings (the speed of each piece) are shown at the start.  Each piece has either 4 beats or 3 beats in a bar.

Beginner Piano Level 3 “Happy Birthday”

Beginner Piano Level 4

Level 4 is suitable for the beginner/improver piano player and is suitable for ages 7 and above. Here are the additional musical symbols for Level 4.

The arrangements in Level 4 require both hands to move, where necessary. The 4 major keys of C, F, G and D major plus the new keys of A minor and D minor are used. Triads (chords) and inversions (playing the notes of the chord in a different order) may be played in either hand. Italian terms for dynamics (playing loudly and quietly) are indicated within the music. Tempo markings (the speed of each piece) are shown at the start. Each piece has 4 beats in a bar, 3 beats in a bar or uses the 6/8 time signature.

Beginner Piano Level 4 “Happy Birthday”

Please download the Happy Birthday examples to assess your level