Do I Have Any Chance, ...of becoming a music teacher Options

[Morgan's Munchkin]

Ok, i thought i'd post this here as i figure you're the best people to answer. My dream is to become a music teach, probably of middle shcool ages children (age about 9-13). I'm currently doing GCSE music, and am predicted an A (was a D at the beginning of last year), and am taking A level next year. The problem is i don't think i'll be able to get on a degree course after that as i am currently about grade 4 violin (have been for ages and don't seem to be getting anywhere), and about grade 4/5 flute (started playing last june and did grade 3 in march). The other problem is that even if i did get to grade 8 (which is VERY unlikely) in the next couple of year, i cannot sing and have virtually no ketboard skills. Does this totally shatter my chances cos i've never known a music teacher who can't sing or play piano.

[JohnS]

How much do you want to be a music teacher? Is it a real passion or just a good idea at the moment?

I've found that if I want to do things a lot, I'll sacrifice other things to make sure I succeed. How much have you planned to practise this weekend for instance? What other things will you give up doing tomorrow in order to spend time getting better at playing the flute and violin? Do you feel like sacrificing things in order to meet your goal?

If yes, tell your instrumental teachers about your long term goal. Ask them to set you short-term targets so that your overall dream can be fulfilled.

Yes, singing and keyboard skills are useful. Could you possibly do something about it?

Lots of questions! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) Happy thinking and then working. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Morgan's Munchkin]

Well, music is my passion. I do about 2 hours practice of both instruments each day, and about 3 of each at weekends. I've already kinda given up on my other subjects to work on it (explains why my music grade has gone up 3 grades and all my others have gone down at least 1). All i'm worried about is if i let my other subjects slip to make way for music, and then still don't manage to achieve it then i'll be left with nothing. At the moment the only thing that comes before my music is my pony, and thats only cos i don't wanna get in trouble for nnot caring for him. My family and friends etc always come below it.

As for the singing and keyboard skills. I had piano lessons in school for a year and got no where and can't afford a third set of private lessons. Also i cannot sing to save my life!!

As for setting goals we plan to do my grade 5 flute next march (which will be grade 5 in less than 2 years), but my violin doesn't seem to be progressing much. I love music but don't seem to have any talent for it.

[Garkleine]

My year 11 daughter is doing GCSE music and loves playing clarinet/sax - got grade 6(distinction) on clarinet and now working towards grade 8. We have been looking ahead and discussing uni courses. She's looking at music and/or english. I have pointed out to her that music courses expect keyboard skills and sometimes even specify grade 6 on piano - but having had some piano lessons (she never practised) gave them up and doesn't want to take them up again. Then again maybe she will - there is time!
If you really want to take music maybe you should give up violin/flute and take up piano instead. If you could practise for 1 hour a day on piano your keyboard skills would improve steadily and might get up to an acceptable level for uni courses. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[tenorhorngirl]

Dont worry about it too much!! There is hope for you, Im off to university in septemeber to study music (Bmus) and I was only grade 4/5 standard in year 11! Plus my school didnt provide gcse or alevel music, so I had to study it a night school instead! i completed the course in a year and then started my A level at a 6th form, which could work around the full timetable I already had at school! So although Im going to univeristy a year late, if its something you really want to do then its worth making sacrafices, especially as it gives you more time to work on your playing skills! Also I dont play piano at all, but still got offers from all the universities I applied for. Only a few universities ask for keyboard skills aswell! Hope this helps! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Morgan's Munchkin]

Thanks, that helps a lot. I have considered giving up violin a few times but i've played it for 7 years and really wanna get a bit further than grade 4 in that time. I don't wanna give up flute because it's one of the only things that i've progressed well with. I have some very basic keyboard skills if thats any use, and can play pieces if i learn them from memory, i'm just not very good at reading two lines of music at once.

[SuzyMac]

I would go and chat to your careers adviser at school if you have one. They'll be best placed to advise you what specific level you need to be at to do various different teaching jobs. For example, you might not want to do a music degree then a PGCE. You may rather do a BEd, and go on to specialise in music teaching. I'm not sure if you need formal qualifications in music to teach primary school and do the music bits on the side.

Whatever you do to improve your music, don't let your other subjects fall by the wayside too much. Teachers still need to have decent English, Maths and other skills (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You might find you move even faster on the flute without the pressure of other instruments that you're struggling with. Ask at school if you can play the pianos at break or lunchtime if you're concerned about keyboard work.

[erard]

Can you work out why you are progressing so slowly on the violin? I am wondering if you have considered a change of teacher, or separate work on practice techniques or whatever is your particular problem?

[benjaminja]

Whatever you do to improve your music, don't let your other subjects fall by the wayside too much. Teachers still need to have decent English, Maths and other skills (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This is true. You won't get onto a teacher training course unless/until you have got good GCSEs in Maths and English, so don't neglect these.

I agree with above post, perhaps instead of battling with 3 instruments at this point you could concentrate on one or two and really work at building your technique. I'd be inclined to say master the piano first as this might be the most useful if you become a general music teacher.

Just a thought. Have you ever tried playing related instruments, such as the viola or the recorder? I know some people who struggle with, for example, violin, suddenly 'click' with a viola as they find it is more 'them' (that's not to say viola players have bad technique or anything, it's just a bit different in terms of feel and action). Similarly with recorder, would this be more useful if you were planning on working in primary schools? I'm told that recorder is relatively straightforward to learn if you have a good basic ability on flute.

Sorry, have just given you more instruments to work on! But if you are feeling 'stuck' with your current instruments perhaps a bit of experimentation with some other (related) instruments might provide you with some inspiration...?

EDIT: Just another thought. Are you in any bands/orchestras? You might well find that joining one (whether on flute or violin) will bring your playing (and sight-reading) on considerably.

[andyamg]

GCSE Science at C or above is also required for PGCE candidates born after 1979.

[benjaminja]

GCSE Science at C or above is also required for PGCE candidates born after 1979.

If you want to do primary teaching, yes.

[andyamg]

GCSE Science at C or above is also required for PGCE candidates born after 1979.

This is true for both Primary AND Secondary PGCE courses.

You will also be required to take QTS Skills tests at some point during your PGCE course - this means that you will have to take and pass three tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT.

Mature Matriculation exams are available at some institutions for candidates without some of the GCSE pre-requisites. This does depend on the institution though so you certainly can't bank on them!!