Hello all--I've been teaching selected brass students, and entering them in exams, for some years now. It has been both rewarding and frustrating, on many levels.

Here are some ideas to start the conversation:

1. Scales and arpeggios--How do you approach teaching them, and how do you get your students to understand that the examiner really does expect a comparable fluidity from brass players and pianists?

2. Literature selection--What guides you as you choose from the lists?

3. How much emphasis overall do you place on the exams vis-a-vis preparation of orchestral/band parts, chamber music, solo recital preparation? Where does ABRSM live in your 'toolkit'?

Eager to hear from colleagues, as I work in isolation in my part of the world.

Many thanks.

Hi
I teach in state schools, and the main thing is time. I believe ABRSM exams should not be the only goal each year. You can do exams in two ways. Firstly they can be the aim and sacrifice of every lesson. Parents and some pupils (in my opinion those that come to you after taking other instrumental lessons - e.g. piano) can use them like a ladder, 1st year of playing = grade 1; 8 years of playing = grade 8. Something to aim for each year. This approach can work and I am sure it does, but I disagree with it. The other way, is to use the exam, as a bench mark, they have been playing, doing many different things in their lessons, scales, aural, solo, band, ensemble music etc, their range has improved; the exam option is to show that this person is at this level, and can achieve this level in all round musicianship.
If you introduce scales during their lessons, including during their first tutor book, they get use to the idea that they have to do them. Scales are great, they do improve technique, and you can do so much with them. Boys will generally struggle more than girls, if you need too, spend a whole lesson on scales, they will get the message. THAT IS IF YOU NEED TO DO SUCH EXTREMES.
With regards to repoirtoire, that is probably the hardest one to get right, parents have to buy the music in the end, and buying different books each year, does cost!! The ABRSM if you look closely, do offer one or two books that either, 1)have the list A & B in them, or 2) have grades 1,2,3 or 3,4,5 choices in them and finally 3) have more than one option for a list. Some books cover all 3. It can get boring, using the same book, but the pupil gets good value from the book, more than if you spend £10.00 on one book and use it once or twice.
Hope that offers something - if not just a insight into my brain,