Hi,

I would like to seek advice of those who have taken LRSM in Piano Teaching.

I am now planning for the exam in April 2010. Yes its still long way ahead but need to start preparing case study portfolio now.

The requirements states i should feature 3 students (preferably different levels). Can someone let me know which grades are the intermediate and advanced levels?

Cheers
Pazzion

Intermediate: grades 4-5
Advanced: grades 6-8

Because the LRSM looks at teaching above grade 6 I would say that it would be best if one of your pupils was around grade 7 or 8. Another could be around grade 4 - 5. Because you want to be able to make interesting and useful comments about them it is helpful if (regardless of their grade level) they have a different level of ability. For example one who finds the technical requirements easy but finds it harder to bring out the "music" as opposed to say a pupil who really "feels and shapes" the music but finds some aspects of technique harder. Throughout the case studies you are trying to show that you respond to the individual needs of a pupil - choosing the correct material, motivating them etc etc. If the pupils are of very differing strengths and weaknesses then this becomes easy to show. One of the case study pupils must feature in the video so it is important to choose wisely.

What if you dont have any grade 7+ pupils?

The DipABRSM concentrates on teaching beginners up to grade 6 and LRSM on grade 6 - 8. If you haven't ever taught grade 7 type pupils then this could also be a problem with the Viva and this level diploma generally. I am sure people have taken and passed this diploma without actually teaching at the higher grades but it is so much easier if you have!

It will be harder to prove you can teach at this level if you don't actually have any hands on practical experience. However it is obviously not impossible as you can have an excellent knowledge of how you would go about teaching this level, repetoire, specific issues etc. I do take your point but from a case study point of view I feel it is more difficult to show your varying teaching strategies if all your pupils are close in grade. This is only my personal view though

Haved just passed the video and case study section. What a relief.... I am now very scared about the next bit - the essay of 4500 words.

I think Margaret is right it would be good to have as wide a range of pupils standards as possible in the case studies. The area I came down on was reflecting on what I should have learned and do differently. THis is quite hard as if I had known I would have done it differently. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

FOr the video, the second half should have been more specifically at how to teach pieces. I found producing the video very difficult, but I learned alot from it, even if this was not reflected in the video, it was very challenging to see oneself teaching on screen.

Frankie

Congratulations Frankie - I think that is a great achievement from what I've heard and read about this section - well done. I can't really help with your question as I haven't got as far as videoing any teaching yet. I might go for the LLCM instead and go for a live lesson!