Okay. I have my Grade 8 practical piano. I have recently passed my Grade 6 theory.
I'm looking to start work on the DipABRSM but don't know where to start.

Should I find a tutor?

What should I expect?

Questions, questions!

Yes

A lot of hard work and a very much higher standard to aim for than Grade 8

Do you mean the Performance or Teaching Dip?

Yes VH is right. you will need a tutor. Before you do you may be able to look at the syllabus, and work on several pieces to find out what you like. You must choose pieces you like, then settle on 3 or 4 to make up your recital. Then tell your tutor this. Make sure the program is from different periods, Baroque, Classcal, Romantic, Modern. You will need a tutor to help you with the quick study too and writing program notes.

From amybalcomb's signature and other posts, it looks like she means the teaching dip, rather than the performing one.

So your answer isn't relevant, F#minor.

So, answering this with the teaching dip in mind:

I think it is possible to work towards the dip without a teacher, but having a teacher would be more of a help.

There are a couple of people on this forum who do specifically offer support to prepare for teaching diplomas, and it may be worth contacting them - Seer Green and Margaret are two that spring to mind.


A number of things you can start working on straight away:

Get hold of the reading list, and start looking at some of the books on it - both instrument-specific ones and some of the general teaching stuff.

Get hold of a copy of the grades 1-6 syllabuses for your instrument, and play through any pieces from it you may have to hand, start developing a feel for what's required at each grade

Go to a music shop and look at the tutor books available for beginners in your instrument. Get an idea of what you like or don't like from the material you can see. Consider whether you'd prefer to write your own material.

Look at the essay topics, and start thinking about which one you'd like to write.



Hope this helps.

Not if it's the teaching dip! I asked the question because the OP stated they had passed Grade 8 practical and Grade 6 Theory - the pre-requisites for the teaching dip.

Thanks Katyjay for your thoughts.

Yes - sorry! It's for the Teaching Diploma!! Definitely not the Performance one.

I've been playing through some of current G6 piano syllabus to find 3 pieces I like (and think I can "teach/perform" in the Voce). I've also bought the book that talks about Writing About Music. Can't remember the exact title or author but it comes recommended and is published by ABRSM.

I just wasn't sure if I should find a teacher from the outset or muddle my way into things and then find someone?

I've helped both - some people like to make a start themselves and then get help later, and some prefer to get help at the beginning to set them on the right track.

"Music in Words" by Trevor Herbert?