MM Program Levels

Select your instrument below:

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
  • Plays basic open chords (G, C, D, Em, Am) and simple power chords.
  • Can maintain basic down-strumming and straightforward 4/4 rhythms.
  • Can play simple riffs and single-note parts.
  • Can follow a chord chart with time and guidance.
  • Can maintain their part at a comfortable, slower tempo.
  • Comfortable with common open chords and power chords and beginning to use barre chords.
  • Can play common strumming patterns, basic syncopation, and rhythmic variations.
  • Can learn a new song from a chord chart with limited preparation.
  • Can maintain their part at faster tempos.
  • Has experience jamming with other musicians.
  • Beginning to control volume and dynamics within a song.
  • Confidently plays open, power, and barre chords, including sus chords and basic extensions such as 7ths and 9ths.
  • Comfortable with dynamic strumming, muted rhythms, syncopation, and common 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8 feels.
  • Can learn and perform songs with minimal preparation.
  • Comfortable playing riffs, fills, and basic improvisation.
  • Can use multiple positions of the pentatonic or major/minor scales.
  • Can confidently navigate song structures and transitions.
  • Strong command of chord voicings, extensions, rhythm techniques, scales, and improvisation.
  • Can comfortably move between rhythm and lead playing.
  • Can create multiple grooves and rhythmic approaches to the same song.
  • Can improvise confidently over a rhythm section.
  • Strong control of dynamics, tone, phrasing, and space.
  • Can contribute ideas to arrangements.
  • Advanced command of rhythm, chord voicings, extensions, scales, improvisation, and stylistic vocabulary.
  • Comfortable with complex arrangements, advanced harmonic material, and extended improvisation.
  • Can fluidly move between rhythm, lead, accompaniment, and improvisational roles.
  • Can adapt instantly to changes in key, tempo, arrangement, or musical direction.
  • Can make sophisticated choices regarding tone, dynamics, phrasing, and space.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
  • Can play basic root notes and simple bass lines.
  • Can maintain a steady quarter- or eighth-note groove.
  • Can follow basic chord changes.
  • Can play simple bass parts from a chord chart with guidance.
  • Beginning to understand how bass works with the drums and other instruments.
  • Can follow chord changes confidently and play complete bass lines.
  • Can maintain a consistent groove with a drummer.
  • Can handle basic fills and transitions between song sections.
  • Can learn a new song from a chord chart with limited preparation.
  • Has experience playing with a band.
  • Beginning to intentionally control dynamics and note length.
  • Consistently locks into a groove with the drummer.
  • Can create and adapt bass lines rather than simply following the root.
  • Comfortable with syncopation, fills, dynamics, and different rhythmic feels.
  • Can confidently navigate full song structures and transitions.
  • Can adjust their part based on what the drums, guitar, keys, and vocals are doing.
  • Can learn songs with minimal preparation.
  • Strong command of groove, timing, dynamics, fills, and melodic playing.
  • Can create bass parts that respond to both the song and the ensemble.
  • Comfortable moving between foundational, melodic, and improvisational roles.
  • Can adapt to changes in arrangement, dynamics, or tempo.
  • Strong stylistic vocabulary across multiple genres.
  • Can contribute to arranging and shaping the band's sound.
  • Advanced command of groove, harmony, rhythmic complexity, dynamics, and improvisation.
  • Can navigate challenging arrangements while maintaining a strong connection with the rhythm section.
  • Can create sophisticated bass parts that drive, support, or intentionally contrast with the arrangement.
  • Can adapt instantly to changes from the drums and harmonic instruments.
  • Comfortable with complex rhythmic and harmonic material.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
  • Can maintain basic rock beats in 4/4.
  • Can play simple fills and return to the groove.
  • Can maintain a steady tempo at a comfortable speed.
  • Can follow basic song structures with guidance.
  • Beginning to understand how the drums interact with the rest of the band.
  • Can maintain several common rock grooves at different tempos.
  • Can transition reliably between verse, chorus, bridge, and other sections.
  • Can incorporate basic fills without losing the beat.
  • Can learn a new song with limited preparation.
  • Has experience jamming with a band.
  • Beginning to control volume, dynamics, and energy throughout a song.
  • Can confidently maintain a groove while responding to the rest of the band.
  • Comfortable with different rock feels, dynamics, syncopation, and common time signatures.
  • Can create fills that support rather than interrupt the song.
  • Can transition smoothly between song sections.
  • Can maintain tempo through mistakes or unexpected changes.
  • Can listen to the bass and rhythm section and adjust the groove accordingly.
  • Strong command of groove, dynamics, fills, tempo, and stylistic feel.
  • Can create multiple grooves for the same song and make intentional musical choices.
  • Can dynamically shape an entire performance.
  • Can respond quickly to changes from the rest of the band.
  • Can recover seamlessly from mistakes or unexpected changes.
  • Strong stylistic vocabulary and ensemble awareness.
  • Advanced command of timing, groove, dynamics, fills, rhythmic complexity, and stylistic vocabulary.
  • Can confidently handle challenging arrangements, tempo changes, and complex rhythmic material.
  • Can shape the energy and dynamics of an entire performance.
  • Can respond intuitively to changes from the rest of the ensemble.
  • Can incorporate sophisticated rhythmic ideas while maintaining the fundamental pulse and pocket.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
  • Can sing familiar songs relatively comfortably.
  • Can generally match pitch with a melody.
  • Can follow lyrics and basic song structure.
  • Can maintain the melody while accompanied by other musicians.
  • Beginning to develop microphone technique and confidence singing with a band.
  • Can confidently sing complete songs with a band.
  • Can maintain pitch and rhythm without relying entirely on the original recording.
  • Can learn new songs from lyric/chord sheets with limited preparation.
  • Can follow cues for entrances, stops, transitions, and endings.
  • Has experience singing with other musicians.
  • Beginning to control dynamics and adjust volume to the band.
  • Can confidently lead songs and maintain pitch, rhythm, and phrasing throughout a performance.
  • Comfortable singing harmonies and backing vocals.
  • Can adjust dynamics, tone, and phrasing to fit the arrangement.
  • Can confidently follow musical cues, stops, transitions, and endings.
  • Comfortable singing with a full band without being dependent on the original recording.
  • Can learn new material with minimal preparation.
  • Strong control of pitch, tone, dynamics, phrasing, harmony, and microphone technique.
  • Can confidently lead or support a wide variety of arrangements.
  • Can create harmonies and backing vocal parts independently.
  • Can dynamically shape a performance in response to the band.
  • Can adapt phrasing, tone, and volume in real time.
  • Strong stylistic versatility and performance experience.
  • Advanced control of pitch, tone, phrasing, dynamics, harmony, range, and stylistic interpretation.
  • Comfortable handling demanding vocal arrangements and complex harmonies.
  • Can confidently lead, harmonize, or support an ensemble in challenging musical situations.
  • Can adapt tone, phrasing, dynamics, and arrangement in real time.
  • Strong command of stage and ensemble awareness.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
  • Can play basic major and minor chords and simple chord progressions.
  • Can play simple melodies or single-note parts.
  • Can follow a chord chart with guidance.
  • Can maintain a basic rhythmic pattern while playing chords.
  • Beginning to understand how keys fit into a full-band arrangement.
  • Comfortable with common major/minor chords and beginning to use 7ths and other basic extensions.
  • Can play chord progressions in time at different tempos.
  • Can learn a new song from a chord chart with limited preparation.
  • Can create a simple part rather than simply playing the root of each chord.
  • Has experience playing with a band.
  • Beginning to adjust dynamics and playing style to fit the arrangement.
  • Comfortable with common chord extensions, inversions, and different voicings.
  • Can create appropriate rhythmic and harmonic parts rather than simply doubling another instrument.
  • Comfortable playing fills, pads, rhythmic parts, and melodic parts.
  • Can adapt voicings and register to leave space for other instruments.
  • Can confidently follow song structures and transitions.
  • Can improvise simple fills or solos.
  • Strong command of chord voicings, extensions, inversions, rhythm, melody, and improvisation.
  • Can create sophisticated parts that complement rather than compete with the rest of the band.
  • Comfortable moving between accompaniment, pads, rhythmic parts, fills, and solos.
  • Can adapt voicings, register, tone, and dynamics in real time.
  • Can improvise confidently within a song's harmonic structure.
  • Can contribute to arranging and shaping the band's sound.
  • Advanced command of harmony, voicings, inversions, rhythmic concepts, improvisation, and arranging.
  • Comfortable with complex harmonic and rhythmic material.
  • Can move seamlessly between accompaniment, melodic, rhythmic, and improvisational roles.
  • Can make sophisticated choices about voicing, register, tone, and space.
  • Can adapt instantly to changes in arrangement or musical direction.