Meaning of difficulty rating numbers

[Pat S.]

What attributes of a musical piece or arrangement are used to assign level numbers?

Are there specific features that jump a piece from level 2, to 3 or 4 other than just "harder".
What is the system behind the numbers?

Thanks

 

[Glenn]

I don't imagine it's like the Richter scale.
It's an arbitrary level assigned by the creator of a system.
No more no less.
Typically higher numbers are harder in the sense of it adds to earlier learnt techniques hence building up knowledge and skill.

 

[Soulsaver]

It would make some sense to relate to grade.

 

[Deleted member 48]

its not exact science but some countries have some explanation for the grades.

Here is the British grade system for accordion explained:

http://www.accordions.com/bca/solo_index.htm

 

[Deleted member 48]

and here are the Trinity College London intermediate and advanced accordion pieces for free bass, and for standard bass:

http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=2026

http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=2027

 

[Soulsaver]

And grade cut off isn't a definitive line, either.. and is subject to opinion.. but as a rough guide to the difficulty of pieces sight unseen it can be a good indicator... but also can be misleading.

 

[Pat S.]

Thanks very much. That's what I wanted to know.