The Professional Years: Choosing Your Path After Grade 8

By the time a student completes ABRSM Grade 8, they are no longer simply a student.

They are a musician.

At this point, a decision becomes necessary.

The student can continue progressing — but now with direction.

While it is possible to explore multiple paths, in most cases it is best to choose a primary focus.

Let’s look at the main professional directions that naturally emerge from this training.

Path 1: The Classical Pianist (Diploma Track)

The most direct continuation is the diploma pathway.

This includes:

• ATCL / DipABRSM

• LTCL / LRSM

• FTCL / FRSM

This path builds on everything developed so far and focuses heavily on two core skills:

1. Advanced Technique

• Control at high tempos

• Tone production

• Voicing and balance

• Endurance for large-scale works

2. Advanced Reading Ability

Reading becomes critical at this level.

Some diploma exams include sight reading, and even when they do not, the ability to learn repertoire efficiently depends on it.

At this stage, sight reading should be fully internalised.

In terms of structured progression, this corresponds roughly to:

• Piano Tree Path Level 8–10 → sufficient to pass

• Piano Tree Path Level 12 → strong confidence and security

There is always an element of unpredictability in exams, but strong reading ability reduces risk significantly.

Students who continue daily sight reading at this level learn repertoire faster, leaving more time for interpretation and technique rather than decoding notes. A structured system keeps this habit consistent even at diploma level.

Path 2: The Popular / Jazz Pianist

Another common direction is popular music.

This includes:

• Jazz piano

• Pop piano

• Styles such as bossa nova or tango

This path relies less on reading large classical scores and more on:

• Harmony

• Chord fluency

• Improvisation

• Rhythm and groove

• Style awareness

Many professional opportunities exist here:

• Cruise ships

• Hotels and bars

• Bands

• Session work

Interestingly, the strongest jazz pianists often have:

• Good classical foundations

• Strong sight reading

• Deep harmonic understanding

The training from earlier stages transfers directly.

Path 3: The Composer (Film, Media, or Concert Music)

For students interested in composition, the direction shifts again.

As a working film composer, I strongly recommend:

• Serious study of figured bass

• Harmony and counterpoint

• Structural analysis

This is the foundation.

From there:

• Jazz expands harmonic language (20th century vocabulary)

• Tango connects late Romantic and modern harmony

• Orchestration develops through voicing (what we play on the piano becomes what we write for instruments)

Film music, in particular, draws heavily from these traditions.

A clear example is John Williams, whose writing combines classical structure with jazz-influenced harmony.

For this path, structured training is essential.

• A dedicated Harmony and Figured Bass course builds the theoretical foundation

• Piano Tree supports practical application through exercises such as:

  • Cadences

  • Figured bass realisations

  • Chorales

  • Counterpoint

  • Canons

This combination connects theory directly to the keyboard.

Path 4: The Church Pianist

This path is often overlooked but highly valuable.

It shares similarities with classical training but places greater emphasis on:

• Harmony

• Sight reading

• Accompaniment skills

• Real-time adaptation

Church pianists must:

• Read quickly

• Harmonise efficiently

• Support ensembles and singers

In many ways, this role depends more on harmonic fluency than on virtuosic technique.

Path 5: The Piano Teacher

Many musicians — including composers — also become teachers.

This is not a fallback.

It is a profession that requires:

• Strong sight reading

• Knowledge across multiple styles

• Understanding of technique

• Ability to diagnose problems

• Clear communication

The best teachers are not specialists in only one area.

They are integrators.

Combining Paths

These paths are not exclusive.

In fact, many successful musicians combine them:

• Piano teacher + film composer

• Classical pianist + teacher

• Jazz pianist + session musician

• Composer + performer

This flexibility is one of the strengths of a complete piano education.

The Real Outcome of Ideal Piano Training

If the full system has been followed:

• Early years → enjoyment + reading

• Intermediate years → harmony + structure

• Advanced years → depth + interpretation

Then the result is not just a pianist.

It is a complete musician.

One who can:

• Read

• Understand

• Adapt

• Perform

• Create

And most importantly:

Choose their path with confidence.