Hello all you teachers out there.

I'm just about to take the Dip. Now, admittedly I'm doing the performance one, but my teacher has suggested I try teaching.

I'd like to have a go, but my question is, how do you learn to teach? There don't seem to be any courses out there to guide you on how to teach unless you have actually been to a conservatoire or done a teaching degree/ post grad certificate.

I've booked to go on the ABRSM taster day early next year, but I don't really want to take on a pupil just on instinct. Even if I'd gone for the teaching diploma there didn't appear to be a recognised course leading up to it. It was just "show us your teaching methods".

Is it really all so haphazard?

At Music College we had lessons on how to teach, and we worked out lesson plans and gave lessons under the watchful gaze of our tutors. We learnt how to teach theory and aural training as well as our own instruments, we watched others teaching and we talked about the whys and wherefores of it a lot. We read books on teaching methods and little by little we got to know how to teach. It was not a case of "I can play it so I can teach it".

I think one of a teacher's greatest assets is instinct. I would suggest that you use that for a start as it's a resource that you already have. The CT ABRSM course is absolutely brilliant and I am of the opinion that all music teachers could benefit from taking it although there will be those who disagree with me.

You need to have a small number of pupils for a while before you can participate.

I began teaching a bit more than three years ago after 24 years working as a tradesman running my own business. I began by advertising in the local paper for piano students and soon I had a good number of pupils. I was also fortunate to gain work in a very good private school which then increased to a further three schools over the following two years.

The CT course introduced me to the Kodaly philosophy and approach to music education and as a result of that and some courses I took, I am now studying for a year at the International Kodaly Institute In Hungary and when I return, I will be taking over the running of the music department in the private school in which I first began working with 75 children in their pre-prep department as well as other children in the main prep school.

If someone had told me that all that would happen as a result of deciding to take a risk and give up my business and begin teaching without knowing whether it could or would work, I would never have believed them.

If it's something you want to do and your instinct and desire is to do it, that's all you need for a start.

Then do the CT course when you have a few pupils.

Go for it!!

Interesting and contrasting replies from Petrat and Hammerklavier - thanks for that. Part of me thinks that I should not short-change any pupils by just having a go and seeing how I get on, the other side of me thinks that I should see if it is in me. I have done primary school teaching so am aware of lesson-planning etc, but music is somehow different. I just wish the ABRSM did a specific teaching course

Have a look here if you are looking for courses run by ABRSM.
Some people start with guidance from their own teachers and learn as they go.

I think that with singing teachers in particular need to have a fair knowledge of what they should and should not be teaching and doing with learners of all ages, but especially with young voices. It is all to easy to cause problems and damage if one is not very sure of how to take the best of care of a developing voice.

Everybody has to start somewhere so I agree with the above - go for it. See if anyone you know has kids who would like lessons, put a card up at your local supermarket, register with one of the many internet directories (but beware of foreign scams - sorry, but it does happen). If you can, start off with a few beginners who play the same instrument as you and see how you go. I's suggest that you don't take on any pupils beyond about Grade 5 until you've built up a bit more confidence.

I bought a great book published by ABRSM (no I don't work for them) called The Music Teacher's Companion, by Paul Harris and Richard Crozier and found it really helpful. I keep going back to it, especially when I start with new pupils or if I'm having difficulty with a certain area - teaching rhythm for example.

Don't worry about short changing people. You probably know a lot more than you think you do. Many people cannot even read music and think that it is really mystical and will be really impressed that you can sight read. Do you already have music qualifications? This should boost your confidence. Also you mentioned that you've done some primary school teaching - I'm sure you'll find that many of the skills that you've learned are transferrable.

Hope this helps - keep us posted.

Is there anyone you know who'd be a willing "guinea pig?"

Before I began advertising properly I taught a few friends' children, and my sister. I also held "practise lessons" with my mum who already plays to about grade 5 standard. She's always someone I can trust to give a brutally honest opinion! Unlike my family though, I've been pleased to find my "real" pupils don't wander off and say "xxxxxx this" whenever I make a suggestion

xxx

This is very true, but if you can use your own teacher as a mentor, you will at least be able to discuss what you are doing and what you SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be doing with your students. I still use mine (a former head of singing dept. at a London Conservatoire), and still have occasional lessons. You can never stop learning!

There are some fantastic replies here. I've been teaching, both in the classroom and privately, for quite some years now, and as a fully qualified one (as I'm sure many of us are!) I do think instinct counts for a lot. However! It's important to have some form of training, as so many have said, and it's also important to keep learning. It may be some time before you're considering your 'learning outcomes', but everyone hass to start somewhere - so go for it, and good luck! I'm sure you'll make a fantastic teacher if you can think about it all so carefully from the outset.

When I first started private teaching I was quietly quaking in my boots. I knew that my subject knowledge was ok, but it was a case of communicating effectively with pupils.

As time has gone on I've become much more relaxed, especially as the feedback I got from pupils and parents was positive. We all have our own style, and some styles suit some pupils better than others.

Every teacher has to start somewhere and it can be very nerve wracking. There were skills from my abortive PGCE that came in useful. But the biggest one I have gained is the realisation that my pupils teach me too.

I teach at home. My cats regularly say hello in lessons. Yes they get cuddles, but the lesson still progresses. I have a rough lesson plan each time, but I'm prepared to throw that out of the window if one area in particular needs more work.

The set up I have suits people who like a relaxed homely setting. Some may say this is unprofessional, but as long as my pupils feel they come first that is the most important thing.

Best advice is to take some lessons yourself with an experienced teacher who will discuss both advanced technique on your instrument and how to teach it at lower levels, including looking through tutor books, strategies, dos and don'ts, and of course how to explain in a way pupils would understand. That's how I started and I did the dipABRSM teaching, though some of the lessons concentrated on my own performing as well. That was clarinet, but I assume the same things apply to any instrument. I am now a woodwind peri and teach privately with some promising results so far.

CTABRSM is very much a future aim for any new teacher, not a starting point.

Good luck learning to teach.

I don't think it's unprofessional. I work in much the same way. Atmosphere is important, and at this time of year when I have the open fire lit, pupils like coming in from the cold to a homely environment

It's a relaxed, quiet atmosphere with the dog usually either dozing by the fire or on a cushion beside the piano. It doesn't feel like a "schoolroom" so that probably helps to ease some tension in nervous pupils, or at a first lesson.

xxx

Amanda, I wish you lived in London!

What an excellent question. When I first started teaching I taught as I had been taught, then after 2 or so years I decided it really was time to learn about how I should be teaching. Which was a complete revelation. While my students had enjoyed their lessons before, my teaching is now totally transformed and I am a much better, and more musical teacher. The course I went on was the distance learning postgraduate MTPP (Music Teaching in Professional Practice) course at Reading University. It's a two year very part time course and I am about to enter the final six months in January. I have to say that the module that really changed the way I teach was the first, so I would recommend you do this one at least. The entry requirements are supposed to be a degree in music, although mine is in business and I had the performers diploma. So they are quite flexible. If you don't have a degree then the CT course may be more suitable.

I agree with some of the suggestions here that perhaps a good way forward is to take on a few students and see how you go, but aim to get on a course within a few months of teaching so that they benefit as soon as possible. At least the taster day should give you some idea of what to do. I can't remember if you said what instrument you play, but how about joining the professional body for it - EPTA for piano, or the ISM, that way you can access some of their training. EPTA do a course for piano teachers. Good luck.

I'm glad you asked this question as it's something I have been looking into myself. I have grade 8 and am working towards a diploma but would like to start to teach on a part time basis if only to help towards the cost of my own lessons! Eventually I would like to do it full time but time is running out for me to have a change of career. I'm now 45 and although I have been playing since I was 9 I have never done any teaching- yet!!

Ken

Time running out???? The way the state pension scheme is going you'll be working till you drop, so it will never be too late to change careers.

Teaching under the guidance of your own teacher is initially a good way to get started, or find someone who can play to a reasonable standard (on the instrument(s) you are planing to teach) and do some dummy lessons. If they know what they are doing, then they can point out what you've missed. Keep a notebook and pencil handy and write down ideas or points that come into your head about various aspects of teaching your instrument.

I think it's important to put yourself into the pupils shoes and look at the problems from their point of view. Think about how you approached and overcame problems and then think about possible alternative solutions, remembering the fact that no two people learn in exactly the same way. What may be a clear description to one person, might mean very little to another. Any teacher who teaches to a fixed regime is doomed to lose pupils and have others who will never gain ground. Adapt your approach to both the way the student learns and their personality - for example, don't bully sensitive pupils unless you don't care if they take their business elsewhere. Learning a few basic skills in psychology, will leave you well-equipped for teaching!

The initial steps into teaching can be quite daunting, but once you've got the hang of successfully passing on the information, it becomes a lot easier.

One important point I will make. Be a sucker for technique. If your student moves on at some later date and their technique is lacking, you will have done neither yourself or the pupil any favours, least of all your own reputation with the teacher the pupil moves to.

I think it's a good idea to have knowledge of all the different methods of teaching your instrument. Instinct is also important, as well as patience. I think it's inevitable that you'll become a better teacher as you go along simply because of all the knowledge you'll pick up if you're genuinely interested in your subject and not averse to doing a lot of reading and attending courses and workshops etc. The CTABRSM is fantastic and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I realised I must have come along way over the years when confonted with a short-term pupil who came to me with some specific goals related to technique. I found I was able to help her with every single one of her problems in a number of different ways, and each tip or technique I was able to give her related back to some research I'd done along the way. I don't think you can have enough of these up your sleeve but they take years to build up.

You also need to develop your own teaching style(s) but your confidence will definitelygrow over the years. I was terrified at first and used to feel all self-conscious with new pupils. This has now completely gone and has been replaced by genuine relish and excitement at the thought of every new pupil and the potential they may have. I think it's the best job in the world so just give it your all and go for it!!!

Violinia

Yes, of course time is running out for all of us, and we never know when Time is UP... so go for it!! or you might never do it

Remember, as a teacher you have to guide and inspire. Your pupil actually has to do the WORK
and always be prepared to learn alongside them, admit if you don't know, but say you'll find out/work it out.

HI, thanks for your words of support. I was thinking of going on the 1 day ABRSM Introduction to teaching course early in th new year.