What’s Your Playing Level? 

Guitar and Mandolin
THREE OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can play some of the standard first-position chords like C, G, D, and possibly A, E, Em and Am.
• You can strum along with a song using the above chords and generally get to them in time if you know the song.
• You can kinda play an F chord but you’re not comfortable with it yet.
• You can play some easy melodies using single notes.

Fiddle:
THREE OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can play 1 octave scales such as A and D
• You know some songs and fiddle tunes at a slow to moderate tempo.
• You are concentrating primarily on playing in tune, getting good tone and controlling the bow.
• You know the basic shuffle bowing (Long short short, LSS.

Banjo
THREE OR MORE of the following are true

• You can play two or three basic rolls (forward, backward, alternating thumb) pretty smoothly.
• You can play the basic chords (G, C, D, A, F) and usually get there on time.
• You can play the off-beat “chop” or “vamp” when backing up someone else.
• You can play along with some bluegrass songs and start and stop on time.
• You’re quite clear that banjo rolls are different than guitar fingerpicking.

Bass
THREE OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can play an alternating bass line (root-fifth) on easy songs using mostly open strings.
• You can hold a steady rhythm while playing the bass line.
• You’re just starting to get a good solid bass sound.
• You’re learning to damp the strings after hitting them.

Guitar and Mandolin
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can sing and strum along with most songs.
• You can play the Level 2 chords plus play B7, C7 and Dm.
• You can play seventh chords, or at least figure out how to play them.
• You can play the F chord pretty comfortably
• You can play a bar chord or two.
• You can keep steady rhythm and have played with other folks some.
• You learn new songs fairly easily as long as the chords aren’t too weird.
• You can do some bass runs, and you might be able to play some fiddle tune melodies.
• You can do some fingerpicking, possibly the Travis pattern.

Fiddle
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You play (or could play) 2 octave major and minor scales in common keys A, D, G, C, F
• You are comfortable using the full bow
• You can play some double stops
• You can play slurs and slides.
• You can play harmony parts.
• You use drone strings.
• You are comfortable using your 4th finger.
• You can play in 3rd position
• You have good rhythm and have played with other folks some.

Banjo
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can play banjo leads on some fiddle tunes (Cripple Creek, Salt Creek, Old Joe Clark, etc.)
• You can play several rolls, and they’re smooth and in good rhythm.
• You can do at least one kickoff and one tag for bluegrass songs.
• You can take a break on a bluegrass song and keep good rhythm.
• You can play some chords up the neck.

Bass
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can play comfortably in the keys of C, G, D, A and E.
• You’ve played with other folks a fair amount.
• You can play at least three major scales.
• You play with good rhythm.
• You can do some runs between one chord and the next.
• You can play other bass notes than the root and the fifth (such as the third) and know where to use them.
• You can play other rhythmic patterns besides the standard 1st and 3rdbeat.

Guitar and Mandolin
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can recognize I, IV and V chord patterns.

• You know minor seventh chord and diminished chord forms.

• You can flatpick fairly well and know at least a dozen fiddle tunes.

• You can fingerpick “Freight Train” or something equivalent, and can play the Travis pattern without any problem.

• You can play some chords up the neck and understand what makes them up.

• You can improvise some leads.

• You play well with others and are used to jamming

Fiddle
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You learn new tunes quickly (by sight reading or by ear)

• You are comfortable with 3^rdposition, and may also play in  2^nd,  4^th and 5^th positions

• You can back up others in a jam using double stops and chops

• You can improvise some leads

• You play well with others and are used to jamming at a pretty fast tempo

• You play (or can play) double shuffle bowing and Georgia shuffle bowing

• You can play a variety of stylistic ornaments like trills, rolls, slides, and drones with 4^th finger slide.

Banjo
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You’re comfortable in different keys.

• You can play or improvise banjo leads on a good number of fiddle tunes.

• ·You can play some leads up the neck.

• You can play somewhat fast and cleanly.

• You’re sensitive to what the other players are playing in your group or jam.

• You can play several kickoffs and tags.

• You’ve done some melodic (Keith-style) playing.

Bass
FOUR OR MORE of the following are true:

• You’re comfortable in nearly all keys.

• You can play most major scales.

• You can do a walking bass using open strings (that is, not all closed-position notes).

• Your rhythm is quite solid, and you can add ornaments cleanly.

• You can “drive” a group, rather than just playing along.

• You have good dynamic control.

Guitar and Mandolin
THREE OR MORE of the following are true:

• You can work out fingerpicking arrangements including bass lines and treble harmonies.

• As a flatpicker, you can play lead and backup with strong, steady rhythm.

• You can improvise well.

• You’re an experienced jammer or performer.

• You’re comfortable with many different styles of playing.

• You know altered chords such as sixths, augmented, flat fives, etc.

Fiddle
THREE OR MORE of the following are true:

• You are comfortable playing in most keys

• You are comfortable playing all up and down the fingerboard

• You can improvise well

• You’re an experienced jammer or performer.

• You’re comfortable with playing in many styles

• You can play well at a fast tempo