Examples of Levels 1-4

Comparing Difficulty

As you can see from the brief excerpt from each of our arrangements of The First Noel and Danny Boy, there is a drastic difference between Level 4 and Level 1. Great care has been taken to retain as much of the musical integrity as possible during the simplification process. Our arrangements are written to be musically satisfying, even at the lower levels. Since each arrangement evolves in a unique direction, there are no absolute rules between the levels. However, we have tried to keep Level 1 with friendly intervals and in first position or with minimal shifting. Level 2 assumes that the player has some skill outside of first position and can handle the occasional perfect 4th or perfect 5th. Level 3 avoids very high positions with difficult interval combinations. And, Level 4 is not concerned with difficulty, focusing instead only on what is musically ideal.

What About The Viola?

All of our arrangements were written originally for violin, and then transposed for viola. However, keeping the larger spacing of the viola in mind, we have limited the distance the left hand must reach to that of an octave (no violinist really enjoys tenths anyway).