I will be sitting for my teaching diploma in ten days' time. If I choose to begin my exam with the quick study, will it affect my marks in my viva voce if I make some slips in my quick study? Can anyone who has passed the diploma share some tips with me?

I'm not familiar with the teaching Dip but I would ask are they related? the QS and VV??

Querying-ly,
GC

i have taken this exam before but if i gave any incorrect information please correct me.

I think the examiners mark every section independently. So even if one did QS badly it won't affect the marks for VV or written submission part. However it may affect the general impression... but they should be marked separately...

QS was harder than i thought so pls don't underestimate the difficulty of it. Other sections were not too bad. btw, i didn't have much teaching experience but i could still pass the first time so don't worry about it too much. (but i remember the examiners wrote something like "he will grow as an experienced teacher with time"......

oh, by the way, the QS will most probably be a 20th century piece.... expect some exciting accidentals and 2 against 3 / 3 against 2 passages...

Why not start the exam with the section you feel most comfortable with. That way you will get off to a good start. Knowing that you have already done well in some of the sections should lessen the worry of the bits you feel less confident about. Good luck and let us know how it goes - I'm going to do this exam some time next year, so interested to hear of everyone's experiences!

jazzlover
Yes, the QS is marked separately to the rest of the exam. In my 3 diplomas the QS was given at the end. I got the impression the examiners quite liked having a 5 minute break while I prepared. During the LRSM they actually left the room! I enjoyed having the QS at the end as I felt more relaxed after the Viva. Although the QS is, I think, especially written for the Diplomas, the style is not necessarily 20th Century. My LRSM one was almost "Romantic" in style and the Dip was a sort of waltz.

PS did you get my reply to your PM?

I passed this exam last December and I chose to do the QS first because I knew it would be my strongest section of the exam. It also helped me to feel very decisive and in control at the beginning of the exam. The first thing I noticed in the QS were some big stretches in the LH so I prepared these before looking at the rest of the study. It was waltzy (like Margaret's) but it changed in style and mood at least three times - rather like a medley of tunes. Go for the expression and feeling for the music - really important.

However, I was not prepared for the Viva to be divided up into sections which is what my examiner chose to do. This did throw me a bit. She asked if I wanted to answer questions on repertoire, Grade 6 pieces or Written Submission first. I discussed repertoire for pupils first but I would have preferred it if the examiner had made these decisions. I had enough to worry about without deciding the order of the whole exam!

Overall it was a very positive experience, except for one moment when I froze and couldn't answer a very easy question about dynamics. I thought something more complex was required and I ended up on the wrong track by discussing the harmony. My best tip is to state the obvious if necessary (it might not be obvious to them that you know something) and to relax and be yourself. I had comments about being a nice, open personality which pupils would appreciate - so let that shine through if possible under stress.

The very best of luck - and be prepared that your examiners might have a different approach again to mine. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Been preparing very hard for my exam and have been rehearsing my answers to the viva voce and playing all kinds of pieces. Think will leave the quick study to the last.

Hi there,

I just took mine 2 months ago. Got my results today....My total score was 65 which is just 5 points away from distinction. But i cant pass because i failed the quick study.

I put a lot of emphasis on my viva and playing and guess didnt really prepared well for quick study. Just sharing my experience.

Yes i think its better to leave the quick study till the end so that you would not let that affect the main portion of the exam.

The next retaking date here in Singapore is next year April which is too far away. So right now, im thinking of retaking in other countries, UK being one of them.

Anyone knows when is the diploma exams date ??

Firstly Janice, congratulations on a great result! Such a shame about the quick study! I did my teaching dip last summer and got 58% but failed because of the quick study too. I found it really hard to perform it to a good enough standard to pass.

The next diploma dates here will be 17-22 of December with the closing date for entries September the 21st.

Hi there,

Congrats to you as well.....im sure will be fine if you do again. I had 3 points for my quick study...haha, in fact, i got the same feeling when i finished the exams. I knew i did badly for it but was keeping fingers crossed....

I think if i had practiced enough of the right materials i would have been better. Anyway, just do it again.

So when are you retaking yours?

Congrats! I hope to do just as well. You must not underestimate the quick study. Been busy preparing for it in addition to the viva voce. Will be good to read music regularly even if you don't have time to play it on the piano

Hi,

I am new here. I am from Singapore. I passed my G8 few year ago, currently work as part time piano teacher. I am interested to further study, take up the AB Dip in teaching. I wondering how to go about it?

Anyone here can recommend any piano teacher in Singapore for AB Dip. in teaching and what is the tuition fee?

Thanks a lot.

Adelyn

Hi Adelyn,

You may want to go to the Music Teacher's Association website to search for some teachers. I did mine and the tuition fees is $360 for 4 lessons (1hr each).

Pick up the syllabus from the ABRSM office to find out more. I started it last year jul and did my exams May this year. Possible to do it within a year but need to pick up quite a bit.

Cheers