If anyone's interested in seeing some photos of the RCM double bass weekend we held recently, you can see my photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...f&id=504531785
and here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...d&id=504531785
Should give you an idea of how fab it was, especially if you're a Rabbath or a Paul Ellison fan.
Regarding grades in the UK you can follow this link to see the syllabi for d. bass:
http://www.abrsm.org/resources/allDBass0506.pdf.
I have to say that past a certain point they are a bit pointless in my opinion unless you want to either do the ABRSM diplomas or have it in writing. I haven't done my grade 8 (yet) because I figure that I am proof enough of my own ability and don't need to have a piece of paper to prove it...
Any of you fellow londoners doing the amateur orchestra circuit at the mo?