How do I go about becoming a music teacher? I'm confused and don't understand the whole diplomas thing, or do you just need grade 8?

hiya!

it ultimately depends on what kind of teacher you hope to become......

if you would like to be a secondary school music teacher, you would need to pursue a degree in music at university or music college. this could either be a BA in music, Bmus or BEd. to be accepted onto a degree course depends on where you want to go. they're usually audition dependent and ask for a minimum of grade 8. if you choose to do a BA or BMus, once youve finished your degree you would then have to do a CertEd. this basically qualifies you to be a teacher....... if you however choose to do a BEd. you wont need to do a CertEd.

It really depends on your strengths as to which degree course you take. if teaching is your string point as opposed to music. you should take the BEd, if opposite take a music based degree such as the BMus or BA in music. these allow you to pursue alternate careers, wheras the BEd only qualifies you as a teacher.

each pathway takes the same amount of years....... which is 4!! (after A-levels) maybe 5 if you choose a honours degree.

if however you want to be a instrumental teacher, no formal qualifications are necessary although they maay hlp in raising your teaching price and work prospects.

hope this helps.

jaime

You don't actually NEED anything to teach, be it grade 8 or whatever.

(I take we're talking private teaching here - working in schools is a whole different set-up that needs specific qualifications. )

You do need to be competent to teach to whatever level your pupils are.

If you are fairly advanced on your instrument and feel like taking on a couple of beginners you could give it a try ..... it's as simple as that really. Many people start with a couple of friends, or friends' children. In many ways you learn by doing it. I took on my first pupils when I was still at school.

Of course diplomas are useful to have, and probably a good idea in the longer term if you are going to teach seriously.

Maggie

WoW! But what about taking exams? I mean, can you just enter your pupils? I think I'll go and find out somewhere, this site might have a page...

There is a school of thought that says you don't really start to learn, until you start to teach

So do you only have to be grade 8 in the instrument??? You don't need a teaching diploma or anything???

I agree with what maggie said. the part about not needing grade 8 or watsoever (of course this only apply to private teaching).

It is really your ability that counts. i mean, i know some people with only grade 6 on their instrument and can already play far above that level. Though, if you're planning to teach seriously, you should try to get a diploma at least (doesn't matter which board either). About entering your students, sure it's no problem. My friend had a teacher with only grade 8 after all and she is taking her fellowship next year.

getting a degree would help a lot too, as there is still a lot more to learn (yep lots lots more) and not to mention the whole environment is much different and you'll be hanging around with many other would-be-music-teachers.

You will not be arrested for undertaking a private teaching arrangement with a pupil without any qualifications whatsoever! If you are confident in your ability then theres no reason not to have a go.

The only thing I would say is the problem comes in proving your ability to possible pupils. There are a lot of private music teachers around, and the parents of prospective pupils are more likely to employ the teacher with the grades and diplmas than the one with nothing on paper. If you ever want to progress to teaching beyond the level of the grade 1-3 children of a family friend you will need to be able to sell yourself, and to be honest its a lot easier to flash a couple of certificates and diplomas than to try to talk people round!!

My dad is a church organist, with no grades or qualifications at all, but he is easily well above gd 8 standard, and has all the improvising. accompanying skills etc. He has been playing in his spare time all his life, moving between churches on audition and word of mouth recommendation. But when his full time job wanted to move him 300miles, he panicked because he wouldnt be able to find a church post - no one knows him there to recommend him!! in the end the move was cancelled. but you can see the point.

A good way to work is to get a vacancy in a school as an instrumental teacher, because you are surrounded by musical colleagues and a busy department instead of being on your own, and the school provides you with as many pupils as you need without you having to recruit. but you will probably find it very hard to get into this sort of thing without a paper qualification to prove your worth.

hope this helps.

Thanks!
You are really helpful!
And i did mean private teaching, just to clear that up.