Cross-Cultural Evaluation of Instrumental Difficulty

Beta/Test Application. We aim to make the study publicly available in December 2025. Preparation of materials for all the instruments under study is underway. Exchanges with the Research Ethics Committee and the Data Protection Officer of the Université de Lille are currently underway.

This study by the Algomus team (CRIStAL, Université de Lille) explores how instrumental teachers perceive musical difficulty across instruments and grading systems. It lasts about 30 minutes (you can pause and resume). You will grade about 40 short extracts on the instrument you teach using the grading system you're comfortable with (like Fig 1 and Fig 2). Participation is voluntary, based on explicit consent (GDPR Art. 6-1-a), and all data are pseudonymised and securely stored on Université de Lille servers. The study is now available for flute, bassoon, trombone, viola and cello teachers.

Example – rating with 1C1–2C4 codes — Fig 1. Example extract with Cycles français grading system

Example – rating with Initial to Grade 5 — Fig 2. Example extract with ABRSM / Trinity grading systems

Participation Consent

Read the 📄 Information Letter

I confirm that I have read and understood the Information Letter related to this study. I understand the purpose of the research and what my participation involves, including the time commitment. I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I may withdraw at any time without providing a reason. I understand that the rating data I provide will be released under open-data licenses, and that no personally identifying information will be linked to the released data.

(optional) I agree to be contacted for follow-up and/or receive news from this study. My contact details will be kept confidential and stored securely.

(optional) I would like my name to appear in acknowledgements. Even that no personally identifying information will be linked to the released data, I understand that people will infer that I provided some of the data.

For any questions, please contact:
Mathieu Giraud — mathieu.giraud@univ-lille.fr
Rui Yang — rui.yang@univ-lille.fr