In building the rubric for this grading system, five categories were created to determine ways for a points system. The categories are Range, Rhythm, Tempo, Duration, and Bonus Points. For this document, I will calculate the total number of points from all of the categories, including the bonus category if there are “0” points, and divide that number by five (5) to determine the overall level of difficulty for the specific piece. The more points calculated, the higher the overall score will be. If a work receives an unrounded number, and the number is greater than .5, the overall number will be rounded to the next level. If a number is less than .5, the number will be rounded down to the lower level. If a number is exactly at .5, I will use musical liberty to determine which level the work should reach based on its qualities. I will use the following numeric system for overall levels:

Level 1 = Beginner
Level 2 = Intermediate
Level 3 = Upper Intermediate
Level 4 = Advanced
Level 5 or Higher = Professional

Scientific Pitch Notation
  • Range
    • Middle C is C1
    • The figure above will be used to determine pitch notation. Each C to C is 1 point. More than a half octave (perfect fourth/up to “F”) adds additional .5 points.
  • Rhythm
    • based on the shortest rhythmic value
    • Quarter Note or Less = 1
    • Eighth Note = 2
      • +.5 for two or more back-to-back measures
      • +.5 for more than two dotted eighth/sixteenth
    • Sixteenth Note = 3
      • + 1 for two or more back-to-back measures
    • Thirty-second Note or more = 4
      • + 1.5 for two or more back-to-back measures
  • Tempo
    • (average speed if multi-movement)
    • If no bpm marking given, a recording and metronome click will be used as a substitute
    • 0-60 = 1
    • 61-80 = 2
    • 81-100 = 3
    • 101-120 = 4
    • 121-140 = 5
    • 141+ = 6
  • Duration
    • 1 minute = 1
    • 2 minutes = 2
    • 3 minutes = 3
    • 4 minutes = 4
    • 5 minutes = 5
    • 6 minutes = 6
    • 7 minutes = 7
    • 8 minutes = 8
    • 9 minutes = 9
    • 10+ minutes = 10
  • Bonus Points
    • (include if zero)
    • Requirement of F-attachment (any notes below E natural) = 1
    • Multiple Tonguing (more than one measure) = 1
    • Mute = 1
    • Clef Changes = 1
    • Ornamentation (Grace Notes, Turns, Grupettos, etc.) = 1
    • More than 3 different meter changes (within a movement) = 1
    • Syncopation (more than four measures) = 1
    • Key signature (4 or more flats / 3 or more sharps) = 1
    • Interval jump greater than one octave = 1