If we assume that someone is already technically up to the job but just needs to sit down and prepare enough material, how long does it take to prepare enough material for a diploma? How long does it generally take you, for example, to master 1 movement of a concerto to a stage where you'd be happy to share your results? I get too carried away with other things, it has been a while since I sat down and hammered out a small selection of something specific. I would be interested how long you find it takes to prepare material at this level.

I am not sure I will actually take a (performance) diploma but I'm finding that if I am not working towards a set goal then nothing happens, or at least I just play a bit of this and a bit of that. I have decided to look more closely at the repertoire that crosses over from one level to another, like where you have 2 movements of a cello suite on the A, 4 movements (including the original 2) on the L and the whole suite on the F.

The big issue is perhaps how much time you have to devote to your practice. If you're working, have a family, already have other musical commitments etc., then the preparation is likely to take much longer than if you have none of these demands on your time. I have been slogging (on and off) towards LTCL for about a year - I think if I hadn't had all my other commitments I could have done it AGES ago.

(Of course, you might ask, why am I online instead of practising? Good question! The only answer to that is because I need to sit down for 10 minutes before I get on with the next job.)

The other consideration is whether you are going to be taught through your diploma preparation, which might affect the time. It's a real 'how long is a piece of string' question! That said, I'd allow 6 months for solid preparation and performance of your pieces elsewhere before the exam and never enter for the exam until you feel you're already ready - it's amazing what things crop up to stop you practising!

I'm sure there will be many others out there who could do it faster, though!

I have a grade 8 from several decades ago and a music undergraduate degree, returned to playing piano 3 years ago and had 6 months' worth of lessons, mostly fortnightly. I have an office day job. All these things considered, I estimate it would take me 8 months to a year to polish up an ATCL programme if I was putting it together from pieces which I have already learnt. If I had to do an entire new programme, that'd be closer to 2 years.

Took me 9 months from grade 8 to ATCL. At the same time I was the head of finance for the European arm of a large American company, and was working silly hours on a regular basis.

ATCL to LTCL took me 15 months.

I'm possibly the wrong person to ask, as I got grade 8 clarinet in December 1991, and ATCL clarinet in December 2011

But...this is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question - my suspicion is, though, that katyjay's 9 months is at the shorter end of the spectrum : most people will probably need a year or more between grade 8 and ATCL/DipABRSM. I'm allowing over 2 years between ATCL and my first go at LTCL

I think this is down to how much time you can devote to serious hard slog type practice rather than play throughs and fudge sessions!

I took grade 8 in 1987 and Dip ABRSM in 2008 , then LRSM in 2010 but have to admit about 18 months proper prep time for each diploma was required. A full time (non music) job tended to get in the way of progress, I was achieving about 4 quality hours practice a week hence the 18 months between each stage. Also worked on technique and performance skills too not just pieces.

The more free time you have to commit the faster you can probably do it!

As others have said it depends on a lot of factors including time, pieces chosen, the standard are when you start preparation/where you want to get up to, which board you do (do you need to factor in quick study/viva voce preparation for example) etc. Also, whether you want to get X amount of pieces to diploma level, or consistently be at that standard.

For me, I didn't/still don't know exactly the standard I needed to be to pass. But I know that preparing for the ATCL and LTCL (next week) were really useful journeys. I learnt a lot about my flute playing, have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and have enjoyed having a goal to work towards.

Time will tell, but I generally had more spare time preparing for my ATCL. Hopefully that won't impact too much on my LTCL marks.

Grade 8 Dec 2000, Dip Jul 2001, LR Dec 2001, FR Dec 2006

In all seriousness though I am a great believer in someone knowing when they are ready. Sometimes it takes a lot of soulsearching, especially if you are a naturally optimistic perrson.

I think I'll go with the average and allow 20 years. And I'll allow an extra 50 % because I'm not good at playing in public. Good job there's no upper age limit on these things.

I didn't really 'allow' 20 years, that's just the way life went

Life is more important than diplomas.
I'm going to allow myself 30 years unless life gets in the way. People keep asking me if I'm going to take a diploma and although I would like to one day I know that I'm no-where near ready. I still feel surprised when I see my Grade 8 certificate. So next time someone asks I'll say "maybe in 30 years or so..."

Let me know if sometime you want me to assess your playing at an event or something. Who knows, you may surprise yourself

Thank you. When I feel ready I will ask you. (but don't hold your breath , it wont be soon)

Interesting- I have much the same idea. I will only do one when I don't have to spend a whole year preparing for it, ie when I am good enough that "all I need to do" is to polish up pieces, not learn the technique needed in order to play them.

It's an intentionally high bar which I may never reach.

Also if you are not confident about your ability but teachers and other experienced musicians think you are ready.

Mine has been 25 years! My grade 8 was in 1986 and I only have vague recollections of what it was like.

My ATCL is just 10 days away. I dont' know whether I'm ready or not, as its been a while since I took exams
( quite a while, actually !) and I'm not sure about the expected level of perfection at "A" level. . But I wanted to take the exam anyway more for the experience and to get some some indication of my skills as they stand today. I think the expectation of examiners also varies and I'm hoping to get one who is more forgivimg of technical errors

Mine: Grade 8 1974, DipABRSM 2000, LRSM 2009.

OK...in the 'longest gap between grade 8/diploma' stakes, you win

I had to wait that long for them to invent the DipABRSM.

You could have done ARCM in the meantime

All the best vee, I hope it all goes well for you.

I know plenty of pianists, including some that have never taken a piano exam, whose only preparation would be to choose which of the many pieces from their repertoire they would like to play, and then write the program notes for them!

And I know others that, having passed grade 8 might work for 20 years and still not be able to reach the standard that is needed.

I have just passed the 25th anniversary of my two grade 8s (gosh how time flies ). I guess I could cobble together a diploma programme from existing repertoire, but I've no idea whether I'd pass, and I'm not entirely convinced that the process would make me a better hornist/pianist. I have gone more down the "mini recital" road recently (playing mainly for friends or at charity events), and I occasionally enter festivals/masterclasses to get some independent feedback on my playing.

I think I would need several months on the piano (assuming no new repertoire), and a bit longer on the horn, the latter being mainly to build up the physical stamina required to play at a consistent standard for over half an hour.

Jon