After Grade 8..., when do lessons stop?! Options

[bnanno]

Just my 2 cents.

If you want to go on to music at the Univ - I do not know whether performance at a Conservatory or a more academic Music degree at a University- 2 years without lessons will most certainly kill any chances of getting in!

From what I have seen, Grade 8 is based on very specific musical extracts of different types, but lacks things like e.g. playing a full concerto.

You might get confused when you see Grade 8 or equivalent listed as the entry standard, but remember that is really only to guide as to the minimum expected level of playing. Most people with Grade 8 distinctions did not get a place in a performance degree this year at the conservatory auditions this year, at least the ones attended.

[AnnC]

I'm still having lessons! About four a year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Clari_notts]

My view for what it's worth is that Gd8 is merely the end of the beggining of your journey! A grd8 means your techincally and muscially capable enough to tackle a sizable chunk or the western music repertoire and make a decent job of it. See it as passing a driving test, you now need to become an advanced driver or professional!

Lessons don't really ever stop as the learning process never stops - i've been having lessons 25 years now - ok the frequency has dropped but its important to get feedback from a trusted professional source and keep your playing improving. Uni's require min grade 8 for performance based courses and for conservatoires you'll need Dip level and beyond even to get through the auditions - they are very demanding and will take only the best from all over the WORLD not just the UK!

Maybe if you get to FRSM level and 1st desk in a major international orchestra then you could drop to 3-4 lessons a year - but even the very best still keep up for development reasons! Might be time to rethink why you feel it might be ok to stop!

[Aquarelle]

I know a professional singer who has sung quite substantial roles at Glynebourne and Covent Garden so is well above the Grade 8 singing exam standard. He still takes singing lessons and talks about how helpful his singing teacher is.

Keep up your piano lessons. I wish I had been able to. Explain carefully and kindly to your parents - who
may well understand if you can make your point clearly. One other small point - or not so small depending on their circumstances. Were they perhaps feeling relieved that the financial burden of lessons was finally coming to an end? I'd be inclined to make sure they know how much you appreciate what they have done for you over the years. That might help them to consider carrying on for a bit longer.

[The Tradge]

There';s absolutely no reason to stop lessons just because you've done your grade 8, it's just very common for parents to think that once you've done the exam you don't need them anymore. I did my grade 8 nearly 3 years ago, and I still have lessons, there are so many different options after having done the grade 8 exam, such as diplomas, BMus/BA degrees, repertoire expansion, etc. For me, doing my ABRSM grade 8 was just the beginning of my musical career, I'm always told by my teacher "James, stop playing like a grade 8 cellist!" I think that when we're in school, people always see grade 8 musicians as being really good, but now I look back they really aren't anything special unless they are really young, like 9 or 10. So yeah, basically don't feel you have to stop lessons, they give your practice and playing structure, plus you could take a DipABRSM if you wanted. It's always nice to have something to prepare for

[jojo]

I can't imagine 'life without my teacher's input' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) at whatever standard I will be (he's an excellent pro musician so he'll be able to help me at any level I may reach fellowship and beyond....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) )

[Martin.Walters]

The royal schools require "grade 8 with distinction" to get in. ~ They will give you further training.

University, im not sure about. But get the picture its no where near the end.

I guess your parents see you playing a famous piece by the top composers at the top level and think you have achieved 777 Jackpot.

My teacher is grade 8 and I have seen teachers with letters in their name. I can see the different playing abilities easily.

I havent even taken my grade 3 exam yet.. so im sure you will see what I mean (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Neil Quinn]

In my yoof I did Karate for several years, and for a long time I would look at the blackbelts and think that was the pinnacle of all achievement. I recall vividly my instructor saying that his teacher's view was that a black belt was a good starting point for teaching someone! I was dumbstruck, but I can now understand the point.

I never did reach black belt in Karate, and I have not yet reached grade 8 on piano (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) . While I it is something to aspire to I certainly don't see it as the end point, more the real starting point. Rather like having a bag of musical tools sufficient for you to actually really start learning.

Assuming your teacher still has things they can teach you, why stop lessons?

N

[ELLAonthepiano]

i'm doing grade 8 piano in november too, i'll be in year eleven then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
i'm definitely going to still have lessons! i used to think that grade 8 meant that you could play anything, but then i realised how much amazing stuff there is out there that is still way too hard. i might get a new teacher after grade 8 though, because i'm only my current teacher's second pupil to take grade 8 so i might want someone a bit more experienced (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
what pieces are you doing?

[Tixylix]

I used to think Grade 8 was the most mere mortals like me could hope to achieve; though I was aware that after Grade 8 there was the Advanced Certificate and LRSM but I thought you had to be some kind of super-genius who started in the womb to ever achieve that standard. One High Scorer's Concert I played in for either Grade 1 or 2 included someone who'd done Advanced Certificate, I was about 11 at the time and thought I'd never be able to play like that. For the record, I still can't (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) but I can now see that level of achievement as feasible and that if I keep plugging away at it I can get there too. The post-Grade 8 world does still have a sort of 'here be monsters' feel to it, but then so did post-Grade 5 theory until last year.

[notmusimum]

My daughter took Grade 8 Recorder last session. We never contemplated giving up lessons after Grade 8.
Her teacher made it known even before the exam that there was lots more things he wanted to cover with her.

Strangely and totally out of the blue she was given an offer which I know she would have jumped at had her lessons stopped or teacher run out of ideas.

[Mini_mo]

I couldn't ever imagine not having lessons, no matter what level I achieve. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Solari]

I couldn't ever imagine not having lessons, no matter what level I achieve. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Lots of stuff that I want to play is at or above DipABRSM level, so I can't see myself ever stopping! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Violin Hero]

I think lessons should be regular, i.e weekly if possible, until you reach about Diploma level.

After that I think lessons should still occur but just lesson regularly, a lot of the pieces you will learn you can manage on your own, you just need the occassional lesson to sure you are not making any major errors or to get help on a section you find slightly tricky. At this kind of level you can manage a lot more on your own without the help of a professional musician.

having said that even professions need to attend the odd masterclass or similar in oprder to make sure their skills are kept up to date etc...

[clavicembalo]

I think lessons should be regular, i.e weekly if possible, until you reach about Diploma level.

After that I think lessons should still occur but just lesson regularly, a lot of the pieces you will learn you can manage on your own, you just need the occassional lesson to sure you are not making any major errors or to get help on a section you find slightly tricky. At this kind of level you can manage a lot more on your own without the help of a professional musician.

having said that even professions need to attend the odd masterclass or similar in oprder to make sure their skills are kept up to date etc...

Lang Lang goes to Barenboim a few times a year!