Map Your Instrument Skills
Track your musical journey from foundation to mastery with our comprehensive skill progression guide. Perfect for students and parents to visualize growth and set achievable goals.
Technical Skills
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Proper hand position, posture & finger independence
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Basic five-finger exercises (C, G, F major)
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Simple wrist & finger movements
Repertoire
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Simple songs (e.g., Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Twinkle)
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Easy duets with teacher
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Basic pattern recognition in melodies
Sight-Reading
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Identifying basic notation (treble & bass clefs)
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Simple rhythms (whole, half, quarter notes)
Theory
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Notes on the keyboard, finger numbers
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Basic rhythms and time signatures (4/4, 3/4)
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Introduction to dynamic markings (p, f)
Aural Skills
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Recognizing high & low sounds
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Identifying simple rhythmic patterns by ear
Musicianship
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Keeping a steady beat
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Singing back simple melodies
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Technical Skills
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One-octave major scales (C, G, F) hands separate
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Basic legato & staccato exercises
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Introduction to simple chords (I, V)
Repertoire
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Short beginner-level pieces (Alfred’s, Bastien, or equivalent)
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Simple hands-together pieces
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Folk tunes & easy classical themes (e.g., Ode to Joy)
Sight-Reading
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Simple two-hand coordination
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Introducing eighth notes & rests
Theory
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Intervals (2nd, 3rd) & simple harmony
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Time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
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Recognizing basic chord symbols (C, G, F)
Aural Skills
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Clapping rhythms accurately
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Recognizing step vs. skip motion
Musicianship
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Expression through phrasing & dynamics
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Playing with simple articulation
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Technical Skills
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Two-octave major scales (C, G, F) hands together
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Basic arpeggios & broken chords
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Hands-together coordination improving
Repertoire
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Intermediate beginner pieces (e.g., Burgmüller’s Arabesque)
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More complex melodies with simple accompaniment
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Easy classical, folk, or pop arrangements
Sight-Reading
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Hands-together reading with simple harmonies
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Syncopation & tied notes
Theory
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Chord progressions (I-IV-V) in simple keys
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Basic transposition (C to G major)
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Introduction to key signatures
Aural Skills
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Identifying major vs. minor chords
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Singing and recognizing common melodies
Musicianship
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Playing with more dynamic contrast
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Memorizing short pieces
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Technical Skills
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Major & minor scales (2 octaves hands together)
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Arpeggios & broken chord exercises
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Simple Hanon exercises
Repertoire
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Classical beginner sonatinas (Clementi, Kuhlau)
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Popular intermediate-level pieces
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Left-hand independence improving
Sight-Reading
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Reading in different key signatures
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More complex rhythms (dotted notes, syncopation)
Theory
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Inversions of major & minor chords
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Understanding simple modulation
Aural Skills
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Recognizing different cadences (perfect, imperfect)
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Identifying interval relationships (3rd, 5th, octave)
Musicianship
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Expressing different emotions in playing
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Playing with proper pedaling
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Technical Skills
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Major & minor scales (4 octaves) with speed
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Dominant 7th & diminished 7th arpeggios
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Trill & ornamentation exercises
Repertoire
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Early Romantic & Baroque pieces (Bach Minuets, Schumann’s Album for the Young)
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More advanced left-hand accompaniments
Sight-Reading
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Transposing simple melodies
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Recognizing harmonic structures
Theory
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Understanding modulations & secondary dominants
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Chord analysis of pieces
Aural Skills
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Identifying modulations by ear
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Singing simple phrases with solfege
Musicianship
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Playing with personal interpretation
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Beginning of improvisation
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Technical Skills
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Scales in all keys (major, minor, chromatic) at a fast tempo
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Advanced chord progressions & hand independence
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Liszt or Czerny technical exercises
Repertoire
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Chopin Preludes, Beethoven Sonatas (easier movements)
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More advanced Romantic & Classical pieces
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Jazz/blues or contemporary piano pieces
Sight-Reading
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Complex rhythms & polyphonic structures
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Chordal sight-reading
Theory
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Extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th)
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Analyzing form & structure
Aural Skills
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Recognizing complex harmonic progressions
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Dictation of melodies & rhythms
Musicianship
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More advanced interpretation & storytelling through music
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Stage presence & performance skills
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Technical Skills
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Virtuosic scales, arpeggios, and exercises (Liszt, Chopin Etudes)
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Mastering double notes, octaves, and fast passagework
Repertoire
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Full-length classical pieces (Bach Preludes & Fugues, Beethoven Sonatas)
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Advanced jazz improvisation & modern compositions
Sight-Reading
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Complex key modulations & advanced rhythms
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Score analysis at sight
Theory
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Advanced harmonic analysis
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Compositional techniques
Aural Skills
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Recognizing intricate modulations & harmonic nuances
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Improvising simple melodic lines
Musicianship
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Refining personal artistry & expression
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Recording, performing, and competition readiness
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