Level 2 — Intermediate (Developing Control)

Technique

• Hands-together playing in simple textures
• Finger independence exercises
• Smooth hand movement and relaxed wrist control
• Basic legato and staccato articulation
• Balanced tone between hands

Notes and playing

• Expansion beyond five-finger position
• Melody in one hand with simple accompaniment in the other
• Broken chord patterns and simple broken left-hand accompaniments
• Controlled dynamic contrast (soft vs loud)
• Scales (one to two octaves, hands separately; hands together encouraged where possible): A major, E major, D minor (natural), B minor (natural), B♭ major, C minor (natural)
• Major and minor triads in root position and introduction to first inversion
• Dominant 7th chords in root position

Rhythm and coordination

• Eighth notes and rests
• Simple syncopated rhythms
• Steady tempo with metronome in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4

Repertoire and improvisation

• Three pieces in contrasting styles or moods, at least one with hands together
• One accompaniment-based piece
• Simple improvisation over a given chord or scale; original composition permitted (optional)

Rhythm

• Eighth notes and rests
• Simple syncopation
• Strong and weak beats in simple time signatures

Scales and intervals

• Major and natural minor scales and their relative relationships
• Scale patterns ascending and descending
• Major, minor and perfect intervals and interval recognition on the keyboard

Chords and harmony

• Triad construction (major and minor)
• Dominant 7th chord structure
• Basic chord functions (I–IV–V) and simple chord progressions

Notation

• Staff notation or lead sheets / chord symbols (as appropriate)
• Reading simple rhythmic patterns