in his line of work, he wants experienced players to play along side, so by picking grade 8 as a minimum, he hopes to expect a better standard! Would you employ a qualified electrician or trainee electrician?

i can understand his point, if you are making a record, and you need to employ someone for a couple of hours to play a specific instrument on a track – you can cut down the number of interviews, as grade 8 players are practically pro standard players who can play most sheet music to a high standard of playing.

Perhaps my relation has been let down in the past by time wasters and dreamers?

i’ve passed grade 2, but i’m grade 3 standard now, just waiting for the grade 3 exam (they only have grade exams 3 times a year in my country).
From listening to your playing, and comparing you to other grade players in sax, clarinet & flute i would rate you between grade 3 & 4.
I’ve heard/watched grade 5 players – they are further ahead than you in terms of playing ability (not trying to insult you in anyway).

The grade system is a good measure of a players ability, its not an exam
where you can cram the night before and get good marks! The only reason
i’m doing grades – i needed grade 2 to get in a starter jazz band, some jazz groups want grade 5 and above, orchestras usually want grade 5.

bands are more relaxed, if you sound good ure in! some bands only want you cause you have some quality gear – depends on how desperate they are and what bar they set their standard at.