Novice

• Skills: I can read music and have basic technical skills. I am starting to explore chamber music repertoire. I can sight-read simple pieces slowly.

• Challenges: Often I must slow down in faster or more technical passages. Sometimes I get “tangled” in my own part.

• Goals: To play with fewer stops, listen more to the group, and learn to lead.

Intermediate

• Skills: I play with a decent tone. I am comfortable at moderate tempi. I am peripherally aware of other parts. I can sight-read at a moderate tempo but slow down the hard sections.

• Challenges: I need to slow down in hard sections. I tend to get absorbed in my own part.

• Goals: To listen more to others, improve leading ability, and develop the technique for complex passages.

Advanced

• Skills: I play with a pleasant tone. I can get back in when lost. I can sight-read near concert tempo, except in difficult technical passages. I am aware of other parts and try to match them.

• Challenges: The hardest passages sound messy if I take them too fast. My phrasing is sometimes choppy.

• Goals: To play with more nuance, match my articulation with the group’s, and improve my tone and phrasing

Expert

• Skills: I play with a beautiful tone. I can play quickly and cleanly in difficult keys and with key/tempo changes. I am a strong leader. I can sight-read all passages cleanly at concert tempo (except pianists). I have keen awareness of other parts and know exactly how they fit.

• Challenges: I want to develop a cohesive group sound and wider range in tone color. I need to fine-tune my intonation.

• Goals: To convey a convincing interpretation and expand my arsenal of tone colors.

Professional

• Skills: I am conservatory trained. I play with a finely nuanced tone. I can play most difficult passages with finesse at performance tempo. I use high-level technique. I can sight-read all passages cleanly at concert tempo, with phrasing. I could likely play all others’ parts if asked.

• Challenges: I am out of the habit of playing for enjoyment. I am self-critical.

• Goals: To play more for enjoyment, inspire others, and coach chamber music.