I would like to start teaching the early theory grades (in spare time). I am 14 and I would like some information. Are there any requirements and how would I go about doing this?
Tom

I was thinking about doing this as well, and Inow teach during a club at school. You should ask your Head of Music whether there is a time that you could teach theory. I currently don't get paid for teaching it because not many parents respect under 16s who would like to teach music or theory. But I don't know whether you would need a work permit (dependng on where you live), and a work permit would contain strict times in which you can work. You would probably have to ask your Head of Music and Head of Year, and then they can help you! Good luck!

P.S Up to what grade have you done theory yourself? I decided only to teach theory to grades 3 and below, until I build up my methods and my own knowledge a bit more. I have taken my grade 5 theory.

QUOTE (Host @ Dec 29 2004, 10:08 PM)

I would like to start teaching the early theory grades (in spare time). I am 14 and I would like some information. Are there any requirements and how would I go about doing this? Tom

If you feel you're ready to teach presumably you already know the stuff so it's more a question of what you'll recommend to your students as reading/study material and how you can relate it back to their instrumental material. I believe (am I right?) that you are a pianist/keyboard player, in which case some of your students may be accustomed only to one clef. You may have to teach them others. .. Be aware you may have to learn a little of the C clef if you get a viola player.
At the least you'll need some past exam papers of the grades you propose to submit candidates for.
The AB Guide to Music Theory, Part 1 would be useful and there are several other books like Theory is Fun and Music Theory in Practice for the various grades. See if they're available at the library or music shop to browse. Choose the ones you like. Theory in Practice seemed a bit wordy. You may not agree.

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Above all, make sure you can answer all the questions on the past papers. There's a saying that you only REALLY start to learn when you start to teach. I've also made it a policy to develop students to a higher level than the grade they're going to sit.

I'm not sure if there's a lower age at which you can submit candidates. Perhaps an email to the AB would solve that one (if no one here answers that).
But...good luck. It's interesting and it can be hard work!
Remember that other old addage - there's no such thing as a bad student, only a bad teacher! (Of course, not entirely true but when things get difficult it prompts you to ask yourself if you could be approaching a problem a different way).

R

QUOTE (purple dolphin @ Dec 30 2004, 08:44 PM)

P.S Up to what grade have you done theory yourself?

I taken grade 5 theory and passed with 97. I am only planning to teach grades 1 and 2. Thanks for all your help!

QUOTE

There's a saying that you only REALLY start to learn when you start to teach.

Rhapsodin, what true words you have spoken. I think you also learn a lot about yourself when you start teaching.