This seems a bit cheeky on the ABRSM board, but before I rush to do the ABRSM syllabus I would like to know what else there is out there for teaching qualifications. I am interested in specialising at low grades for very young children at this stage, and if I build a relationship with any pupils that I can continue to take up to higher grades I shall look at what is an appropriate qualification at that stage. The ABRSM diploma doesn't seem to suit because there is a long performance in it, and I am not able to perform for long periods due to a disabling condition, but can play perfectly well for short periods of time - one of the many reasons for sticking with lower grades where lessons are shorter. I don't think I could teach for a full hour straight through.

So, what else is there as an option? Is there anything that is particularly suited to the teaching of pupils from total beginner to appprox grade 4? If nothing is suitable, is it really that necessary to have a qualification in instrumental teaching? I am a qualified teacher in primary subjects and complete the first year of a music degree (had to quit when I got ill) so it's not like I am Joe Bloggs off the street, but I have no 'piece of paper' to say yes, this girl knows how to teach violin. I am just trying to pick up courses where and when I can (ESTA, etc.) that are within my capability.

Hi RoseRodent and welcome to the Forums

You say "the ABRSM Diploma doesn't seem to suit because there is a long performance in it." I think you may be looking at the syllabus for the DipABRSM in performance rather than the DipABRSM in teaching.

The AB offer both, along with a diploma in directing.

I know that the teaching dip does not involve a long performance. Other than the five minutes of the Quick Study I think I demonstrated an extract from one or two works, no more than a couple of minutes of performing in total. The bulk of the exam day work was the viva.

Firstly, as you say, you do have some teaching credentials, so I don't think you need to worry too much about that. The AB diploma involves a fairly lengthy viva (about 45 minutes) but only very short periods of that are spent in playing - basically demonstrating short extracts from pieces etc - much as you might do in a typical lesson. There is no long performance element - not quite sure what you were thinking of there.

If you are looking for more input and feedback on your teaching, perhaps the CT course would suit you better? There is no minimum standard of pupil and the course is geared to whatever level you are teaching at. Most of the people in my group taught beginners or early grades.

I have ordered a print copy of the diploma syllabus because going back and forth between the different sorts on a pdf was blowing my mind, so I probably have mixed up the quick study with a longer performance when I was reading about marking criteria. I think I shall wait for the printed copy to arrive before I try to make up my mind. THanks!

The teaching diploma with the London College of Music is supposed to be a good one, and don't tell anyone I said this, but easier than the ABRSM!

The new LCM syllabus doesn't require you do the performance diploma before the DipLCM teaching, but that if you do not have a performance diploma you would have to do a performance element in the exam. You can then go on to the ALCM in teaching without a performance element. I should really send off for an exemption, I have a good pass in my first year of a music performance degree at viola first study and piano second study, then several years in the Corps of Army Music, so although it will be a pain constantly sending those off as passes in lieu of external exams they are considered equivalent standards by many.

SueHM, the CT course definitely has always sounded as if it suited my purposes. It seems odd in these days of certificate for this and degree for that to begin teaching without a relevant stamp of approval from anyone, but since this is the way many of the courses are structured it is clearly seen as quite acceptable. It seems perhaps those with the largest collections of letters after their names are possibly just the richest rather than the best - I'd love to do all sorts of these courses, but my budget will not stretch that far until I have some regular pupils under my belt. And both the ESTA and ABRSM courses seem to start from the perspective that you have been teaching a year already and now you are ready to learn more about it. I just have to put myself out there for anything I can afford so I don't feel like a total fraud asking people to let me teach their kids.