After my grade 8 now i can finally learn some new pieces! I really like the Paganini concerto in D major and was wondering what level it would be - dipABRSM? or higher?

I woul ahve thought it would be dip level but others may disagree.

I think you can probably stop thinking in terms of 'levels' now - they don't really exist in real music and ploughing through the grades can give us a false sense of each piece of music having a grade or level assigned to it.

Just start to learn it and try to play it as best you can - you'll find your musicality will take a leap forward if you do that - and as you say you're looking forward to learning some new pieces, I'd jump at the opportunity to start to learn as a 'proper' violinist rather than a 'student' violinist - concern yourself with the choice of your pieces based on what you want to play and then on playing them as well as you can.

Grade 8 is part of the beginner and learner cycle - if you've done it, you're probably ready to really start learning how to play your instrument like a pro - it will take time and dedication but the concept of level is probably not much use to you any more now.

Enjoy learning your new pieces and the challenges they bring!

If the violin masterclass repertoire list is anything to go by, it's pretty hard - it's rated as more difficult than any of the big famous concerti like Tchaikovsky, Sibelius and Beethoven. But I agree it sounds great.

So have you done your grade 8 now?

If you wanted to categorise it at a 'level', then you're looking at Fellowship standard. All I can say is, get hold of the music and have a look at it. If you've only recently taken Grade 8, or reached that level, then I think the Paganini would be a tough call. The technique required to play it is well beyond even DipABRSM.

You're right, the first page or two were fine then i started having problems. I think i'll come back to it in a while