FIVE LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE (PLUS ONE)

 

LEVEL 1: Ignorance

You know that something exists, you've heard about it, but you don't know what it consists of. Example: I've heard about harmony but I don't know what it is.

LEVEL 2: Smattering

You know something in broad terms but only in a "parrot-like" way. Example: you know that harmony is made up of chords, you know in theory what chords are and how to play them, you know how to do it but you don't know why.

LEVEL 3 Knowledge

You know the how and why of something and you know how to put it into practice by thinking about the rules you've learned. Example: you know how to harmonize a bass by applying the rules you've learned.

LEVEL 4: Mastery

You no longer need to think, you know how to do it in a natural and immediate way, like breathing. Example: given a jazz standard you write down the chords without having to do calculations or apply rules.

LEVEL 5: Trascendency

You do something that is both right and beautiful, exceptional, unique and personal.

BONUS LEVEL

The ability to teach, which requires that one has at least reached stage 3, better 4. NB: having reached even a very high level does not guarantee that one knows how to teach.