Evaluations on Road to Virtuosity are meant to be fair, clear, and encouraging. The goal is not to demand a perfect concert performance. The goal is to make sure each student has truly learned the piece and can perform it at the level the piece represents.

Private evaluations are reviewed by RTV admins and are used for verified points. Public submissions are reviewed by fellow musicians in the RTV community, and we trust users to hold the same general standard. RTV admins can still approve, refuse, or review public submissions as needed.

A few small mistakes are okay. What matters most is that the performance is complete, rhythmically correct, close to the expected tempo, and accurate enough for the assigned level.

Minor mistakes are allowed

Students should not be afraid to submit a performance just because it is not perfect.

A performance can still pass with minor mistakes, such as:

  • A few missed notes

  • A few small hesitations or extra pauses

  • Basic expression and dynamics that are acceptable, even if not ideal

  • A performance that sounds prepared, even if it is not polished like a professional recording

These kinds of mistakes are normal. RTV is built around real musical progress, and real performances are not always flawless.

What will not pass

Some issues are too important to overlook. A performance will not pass if it has:

  • Incorrect rhythms

  • A tempo that is too slow for the piece

  • Major note errors throughout the performance

  • Repeated stops or breakdowns

  • Missing sections

  • Any editing

  • Unclear video or audio that prevents proper evaluation

  • A performance that does not match the difficulty level of the piece

Rhythm is especially important. If the rhythm is incorrect, the performance does not accurately represent the piece.

Tempo also matters. A difficult piece becomes much easier if it is played far too slowly. For example, a Chopin etude played far under tempo does not show the real difficulty of that etude. To earn the points for a piece, the performance must be played at an appropriate tempo.

Use the video example as a guideline

The video example on a piece page can help students understand the expected tempo, rhythm, and general sound of the piece.

The submitted performance does not need to copy the video exactly. Students may have different tone, interpretation, phrasing, and expression. But the video should be used as a general guideline.

If a performance is much slower than the video example, rhythmically different, or missing important parts of the piece, it will not pass.

What RTV is looking for

RTV is looking for a performance that shows real preparation.

A passing performance should be:

  • Complete

  • Rhythmically correct

  • Accurate enough for the level

  • Played at an appropriate tempo

  • Clear enough to evaluate

  • Prepared with visible effort

Evaluations are meant to encourage progress while keeping the points system honest. Small mistakes are allowed, but the performance still needs to show that the piece has been learned properly.

Final thought

RTV does not expect perfection. We expect honest musical progress.

A student can miss a few notes and still pass. But the rhythm, tempo, and overall accuracy must show that the student understands the piece and can perform it at the level required.