Hello! I am thinking of taking the DipABRSM teaching exam on piano soon. Just wondering if anyone can explain to me what precisely happens in the exam.

I am a bit under the weather, so may be being a little dense! Do you have to play your three grade 6 pieces in their entirety or do they only ask for excerpts?

What kind of questions have people been asked and how did you feel the marking scheme reflected your answers?

It sounds like an interesting undertaking and I would love to hear what people think.

Thanks and happy New Year!

I took the exam in December. I was offered the choice of viva or quick study first and I chose quick study to get it out of the way. The examiner then came and sat with me at the piano and asked questions. We talked about the three pieces - things like why I had chosen them, what did I think the challenges would be with each piece. I was only asked to play an extract from each one and then discuss various issues about how I would teach the piece. The discussion seemed to meander around all sorts of topics, very much depending on what I mentioned - the examiner would pick up on things I said and ask related questions. Thinking back to what we covered, it was various aspects of technique eg pedalling (examiner swapped places and got me to demonstrate how I would teach it), cantabile tone, getting to grips with tricky timing in a modern piece, aural skills, etc. At the end, he asked if there was anything else I'd like to show them from the box of materials I had brought, and the other examiner asked if there was anything else I felt they hadn't covered that I'd like to talk about. It was all pretty straightforward, nothing unexpected - I didn't feel they were trying to catch me out or anything. Of course, I don't have the result yet and it could be a different story then!!

My experience was pretty similar to SueHM's (albeit my chat with the examiners was about singing rather than playing the piano of course ) I really enjoyed the exam - although I didn't enjoy writing the essay beforehand, I'm not much of an essayist.

For anyone who's thinking of doing it, I'd say go for it. As well as helping me a huge amount in terms of making me think about how I teach and why I do things, it's also done far more for my own technique than either of my performance diplomas did.

Thanks for the replies Sue and Katyjay!

This exam sounds like it might be very much up my alley! I am very much leaning towards getting the head down now and trying for it in July. Lots of swotting for me I think!


The examiner then came and sat with me at the piano and asked questions.
That would have spooked me out a bit if I hadn't known it was going to happen!

I was only asked to play an extract from each one
The discussion seemed to meander around all sorts of topics, very much depending on what I mentioned - the examiner would pick up on things I said and ask related questions.


Great things to know.

At the end, he asked if there was anything else I'd like to show them from the box of materials I had brought,

Out of interest, which materials did you bring? I would have thought maybe the selection of beginner's tutors I use, sight-reading material I use, maybe some technique books (Dozen a day and the like) and some studies like Burgmuller. Is that the kind of thing you went for?

So it's like CPD for life!

The confidence boost is definitely required for me. I have narrowly missed diplomas before due to nerves in my recitals (wobbly hands, panicking, actually having a full on freak out in an ALCM exam years ago etc) but have always passed vivas, quick studies, scales, crazy theory exams connected with them. An exam where I can pass by knowing my stuff and then have a diploma sounds perfect for me. It would take the pressure to get the piece of paper off so I can go back to a really great teacher to help me with other aspects of my playing while hopefully getting a job in a school or something. (If I were to pass that is.... )

I took pretty much what you describe - examples of materials for all the different things I teach including improvisation, theory, aural, sight-reading etc and some interesting repertoire for each grade. I also took my special needs project from my CT course.

Go for it!!

I think I might....

Good luck with your result!

I took this exam last year after years of meaning to do it. The exam itself was quite enjoyable with the examiner asking about me and my background first to put me at ease. He then stood at the piano and talked to me about the pieces and any other issues that came up along the way. It was very vague and never went into anything in any depth... if you have had some experience teaching you should have no problem at all. I did loads of revision and work and didn't use most of it...
Again I was asked to play a very small excerpt of each piece but he didn't tackle some of the more obvious issues in them like 2 against 3 etc which i was expecting.
I took loads of examples of music and activities into the exam but there wasn't time even to discuss it. The time goes very quickly.
The quick study was my weak point which i was dreading but it wasn't that bad and if i could pass first time believe me anyone can!!

Good luck

Thanks! It is sounding like it's doable for me...the exposure of playing a 30 minute recital is a bit more than my self-esteem can hack, but being Irish I can talk all day!!!

I bought the grade 6 book today and am thinking about which pieces I will study. Am a bit nervous about it, but excited too. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan!

Just read this thread and got all inspired!!!

Have been toying with the idea of doing either a diploma or the CTABRSM for the past year now and this sounds really inspiring

Do you know is there a special exam centre I would have to go to in Dublin or can I do it here in the west??

I actually have the current Grade VI pieces as have a pupil who starting to learn one of the pieces.
If I go for it will definately (at the moment) include 'The Buccanear'. It's a lovely exciting piece.

Great stuff PianoGalway, we can moan at each other if it gets hard!

I think you'll have to come to Dublin to do it. The only centres on the island for diplomas are Dublin or Belfast. Let me know if you go ahead!

Aw shucks....thank you!

Will do. Onwards and upwards!!!

Will do pianodub!!! Will make sure you're my main port of call should I need to moan

Going to do some homework on it tomorrow and see how much time I need to devote to it (unless anyone can tell me roughly ) and work out logistics...no point unless I can give it my all...

Ps....... Cambiata - ta muchly for encouraging post.