ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2021/22: Repertoire Review
In addition to a refreshed and more varied repertoire selection, 2021 will see a number of changes to the ABRSM Piano syllabus, including: A new Initial Grade providing a more…
Teaching Diplomas: Does Teaching Experience Help?
As you can imagine, when potential candidates enquire about my online mentoring programme for teaching diplomas, they have a lot of questions on their mind. One of the most frequently…
Beginner Piano Lessons: 3 Essential Ingredients
Beginner piano lessons with a student of any age can be pivotal. They can be 'make or break', so it's no wonder they can make us piano teachers so nervous.…
Mindful Reflection, Before and After the Music Lesson
It’s easy amidst the hustle and bustle of the online world, to feel that as teachers, we're not keeping up. There’s an almost limitless number of things we could teach…
Making the Most of Your Accompanist
This post was written before the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic took hold; however, I hope it will be useful for a time in the future when we are, once again, able…
How to Avoid the Most Common DipABRSM Written Submission Mistakes
If you're just starting to think about working towards the DipABRSM in Teaching, one of the first things you're likely to consider is the written submission. The written submission comprises…
Top Resources for Improving Your Sight-Singing
I cannot emphasise what a useful skill sight-singing is. Sadly, over the years, it's got a bit of a bad press as it continues to be tested as part of…
5 Things I’ve Learnt Having Music Lessons as a Teacher
Like many, I had instrumental lessons as a child. First of all, I had piano lessons which I started age six, then flute lessons, then later on, singing lessons. As…
Teaching Diplomas: Should You Go It Alone?
This is a question which I’m often asked, and it’s a justifiable consideration. It’s a question which arises, much in the same way as the one much-debated by teachers as…
Moving Forward With Transfer Students
At one time or another, most instrumental teachers, wherever they work, will inherit a student who previously had lessons with another music teacher. Turning it round the other way, many…
Where Can You Find Practice Materials for the DipABRSM Quick Study?
As I've written previously, whilst it's worth the fewest number of marks, the quick study is often the element of the DipABRSM which causes candidates most anxiety. I've written previously…
6 Ways to Nurture Your Own Music-Making in 2020
When we're busy teaching (or indeed, performing) it can be hard sometimes to nurture and enjoy our own music-making as individuals. I know from experience that the demands of teaching…