Violin and piano grade 8. Then what?

[Poppym0917]

Hi I wonder if anyone here can share some experience/advice here. My son has achieved grade 8 in piano and will have his grade8 violin in couple week, both ABRSM. I understand that he can carry on with ARSM/diploma afterwards. However I feel that carrying on both instruments will be unrealistic for him. He's currently in year 8 and school work will only become more especially towards GCSE. He likes both instruments for different reasons! He's been playing at different orchestras including local council, NCO and school. He loves the social aspects of the violin. However he did say that he enjoys piano more as an instrument. So likely that he'll continue diploma in piano, but what should we do with his violin? Do we continue the lessons? If he stopped the lessons, would he still be able to maintain the standard by playing in orchestras and practice on his own? In a way it probably would be good to stop lessons on one instrument, because to maintain 2 at a high standard is very demanding and my son just simply doesn't have the time. But it also feels such a pity to stop just like that, since violin is his 1st instrument. I just wonder if there are any options/alternatives. Thanks!

I don't see why two instruments is unrealistic.

Piano is not a sociable instrument so won't take up as much time.

Diploma in both is perfectly possible.

Hi OP, your DC is very talented at music to reach this standard at such a young age. So I would suggest he keeps going with both instruments for the moment, as it could turn into something that he takes to a higher level (eg music A level? Conservatoire?). IME the extra work for GCSE doesn't ramp up until year 10/11.

Yes! Join an orchestra. It can open up all sorts of great things.

Jazz. On both instruments. Improvisation and comping will open up a whole new world for him.

Thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions! Love the Jazz idea, will let him know ☺️Definitely would be a shame if he just stopped progressing one of the instruments. It is good to know that it's not impossible to do diploma in both if he can manage time well and enjoys practicing. He's in a few orchestras which already take him a lot of time. I guess he'll just need to do it at his own pace. Thanks again!

For jazz get him to listen to Stephane Grappelli for violin and Oscar Peterson for piano.

The ‘bible’ for jazz is the Real Book which contains all the standards as lead sheets: www.prestomusic.com/sheet-music/products/7531316--the-real-book-volume-i-sixth-edition

There are loads of videos on YouTube on how to read lead sheets if he hasn’t been taught.

For classical musicians this improvisation on Canon in D by the incredibly talented pianist Hiromi is always a lot of fun:

Thank you so much! This cannon in D jazz improvisation is pure genius!

Your son is extremely gifted. He should be learning with an expert who would be better able to advise. Do make sure he continued to enjoy playing and has other interests too.

It's absolutely possible to keep two instruments at a good level. Most players juggling two are super organised and practice efficiently. You could look at performing opportunities like music festivals, and some local churches put on young musicians concerts where they welcome a range of players. He could look at chamber music or learning how to accompany others. Grade 8 is just the launch pad for so many opportunities. He could look at national orchestras like NYO as a progression from NCO although violin will be super competitive. He's got time to apply a few times though!