Hi i have taken my grade 8 on flute and i am seriously thinking about doing a diploma. However I am only 15 can I still take the diploma at my age or is it worth waiting until am older to do it?

How long would it take me to be up to the standard if i passed my grade 8 in november with a merit?

The syllabus covers any such limits.. I think the main limits apply only (sensibly) to the teaching dips, rather than performance... There is an online version if you don't have a print copy.

Might take you 18 months - 2 years to get ready, but it really depends on your circumstances, how much you like practicising and all the rest. You need to get a thorough grasp of the history of your instrument, key composers and works etc. for the viva, let alone being able to play the recital nicely

What does your teacher think?

Hes not too sure whether i should do it at my age but he hasnt really said anything other than that.

For my gcse music i have to study my instrument etc so i already know quite a bit about its history that should help me.

Thanks i ll find that info

MrB is right - you have to be at least 18 to take the AB teaching diplomas. There is no minimum age for the performing/directing ones.

GCSE music is a start to help with a DipABRSM, but you would need to read a lot more about the flute to be confident of answering the questions well at this level.

Perhaps start working on a diplma piece and see how you get on. Try it for a few weeks on your own and then play it to your teacher - look at his body language rather than the words he uses in response.

Good luck and keep practising!

Yes, test the waters. You have a long time to complete your Diploma. Read on it and see what it's like, and if you think you're ready, go for it. I know people who took their DipABRSM in performance when they were 13/14, so I don't think an age limit exists (in terms of capability and readiness).

It's more a case of having developed musical maturity in the emotional sense.