Hello all
I am intending to return to teaching music (piano) after a rather large rest (hmmmm ... about 12 years due to having a day job which involved nasty shift working!!! ). I have since discovered that everything surrounding abrsm exams has changed quite significantly from when I went through it all (piano g8, bassoon g7, flute g5). quite frankly, it has scared the bejesus out of me! even though I am still a very proficient pianist and flautist (sadly sold the bassoon some years ago - very silly!!), I find myself now questioning my ability.

so. the point of this post.

Is there any refresher or revision type causes available that will update me on current exam requirements, new teaching methods etc.
Also, can anybody recomend up to date teaching materials for complete beginners up to intermediate (thats assuming I get my mojo back of course!)

I am deeply grateful for any advice.

ang.

Congratulations on taking this step.

When I re-started after a small break 3 years ago, I took time to read through the syllabus details and got myself copies of the music relevant to the exams I found myself teaching in the first year. I found the ABRSM Syllabus Seminar useful - check the website to see if there are more dates. It reminded me of techniques that I took for granted - and highlighted the types of things examiners look for. The publication 'These Music Exmas' - also from the Board - give lots of insight too - esp. useful if the section on how to differentiate between pass / merit / distinction.

There's a publication "The Music Teacher’s Companion: A Practical Guide" - I found this useful for challenging the roundedness (is that a real word) of my teaching style. You sound more experienced than me though - so that my be too much for you.

Best wishes - hope you find some willing pupils to inspire!

Katie P

ABRSM run quite a few courses, from one -day introductory to the full CT ABRSM & you can find the details on this website. There are also regular seminars covering the exam syllabus.

EPTA run a pedagogy course every year, starting in January, but of course it's just for piano, although many things are relevant for other instruments.

There's masses of material available now, it's hard to know where to start. I love the Music Tree for young piano beginners & there's also Hal Leonard, Alfred's, Alan Haughton, Jane Sebba amongst the more recent stuff. Paul Harris is very good for sight reading. Pam Wedgwood has written lots of good books for all ages. If you can get to a large music shop, I'd go & have a good browse.

Good luck & enjoy your teaching!

thanks. I will check these out.

sadly music shops are very poor around the area I live and would involve much travelling. Im afraid internet is my only friend

I will definatley check out the exam syllabus seminar - sounds useful. I would love to do the CT ABRSM course but it is SOOO expensive! Can anybody tell me whether it is worth the investment? Did you really gain professionally from it??

Hi, check out www.dogsandbirds.co.uk for an excellent tutor book for really young beginners. As for professional development I thoroughly recommend it. I am on the MTPP at Reading University and it has absolutely transformed the way I teach. This course is about the same cost as the CT, but is two years distance learning, postgraduate, and very much more in depth. Also the modules are six months each and you pay as you go, so it's more manageable than the CT. Not sure if you're not a graduate though. The good news is you don't have to have a music degree, just play something to them / send a recording and if it's up to the standard they require you can get on.

Welcome back. I too had to take a break but due to illness after teaching piano for twenty five years.Over the years I have tried many different books but I still find "Tunes for Ten Fingers" by Pauline Hall much the best book for beginners .Even my very nervous adult beginner loved it - her daughter is now just finishing it. Then I go on to Piano Time 1 .Beginners love this as they can whip through the first few pages.It then moves quite steeply and so have never been happy using it with most beginners especially anyone under about 12 unless they are already competent on another instrument.

About half way thruoh

Sorry .I think I may have sent 2 accidental replies now This was my first attempt to add a reply.somehow it got sent in mid sentence.
an excellent book esp for mature beginners who are about half way into Piano Time 1 is"Sea Gipsies" by Joan Last -an old book but lying superbly under the fingers and needing mature expressive playing

will send now before this escapes again.

janoforte

Hi and welcome back to teaching!

Yes, things move on all the time and getting yourself updated and receiving training is part of the job for us all.

You could try here for information about ABRSM courses. It maybe that something other than the CT course would be a good way for you to ease back into things?

Do stay on these forums and ask your questions - I have found it a very mutually supportive and helpful place to be as a teacher.

Best of Luck