MAKING THE GRADE

I’ve been avidly purchasing your mag every month since the first CD edition. Although it’s always been great, I’m particularly enamoured with what Bridget’s going to have in store each month, and I have a wee suggestion based on difficulty rating.

I have a growing collection of ‘moderate’ pieces which fairly represents my classical ability at present. What to practise for maximum benefit first then? Would it be possible to include a grading for each piece, 1-8? Some pieces, I’ve found, are definitely ‘more moderate’ than others and maybe this might offer me and others a better way of grouping them and approaching them in an order for personal study if I know that ‘this one’ is a Grade 3 and ‘that one’ is a Grade 5. Perhaps this could be extended to other areas than just classical as well? Just a thought and wondering what say you on this idea?

To be honest, Nick, I think the fault is ours. We do put an ability rating next to every article, but I’m beginning to suspect that, between all of us here that check these things, we’ve managed to let Bridget’s slip through the net. Some of hers are definitely harder than moderate, and others easier. We do usually double-check these things, as some of the contributors underestimate something’s difficulty for mortals like us, so for now we’ll leave things as they are but be a little more on the ball as regards Bridget’s column.