Certificate Teacher of Music

[lostinidlewonder]

I have had students who where interested in becoming teachers. In Australia you have to go through a few things to become an accredited teacher however I found the written section (Section 1, written examination) in particular something that could be interesting for pianostreet. Many of these issues have already been discussed throughout the pianostreet forum, but it is nice to get an overall map of the questions of teaching music.

The candidate is required to demonstrate:

1) An understanding of child development in relation to:

a) the development of the student's independence as a learner.
b) individual needs
c) the role of relationships; parent/teacher/student
d) the ages and stages of child development


2) An understanding of teaching strategies in relation to a wide range of pedagogical issues.

3) The ability to prepare a developmental program for a student of specific age and level of experience, based on a knowledge of suitable material.

4)Candidates should be able to present and discuss their views on:

a) the development of the beginner student's independence as a learner
b) the importance of individual needs for successful teaching
c) the role of relationships (teacher, student, parent) in the teaching process, and
d) the ages and stages in child development as they relate to learning and to music teaching.


5) Candidates should have a knowledge of teaching strategies that will facilitate a student's learning in the following areas:

a)aural training (pitch, rhythm and harmony)
b)tone, touch and technique, posture and hand position
c)note-reading in the early stages
d)sight-reading
e)memorisation
f)technical work including exercises and scales
g)phrasing and articulation
h)expression and mood
i)creativity and imagination
j)general knowledge - notes, rests, signs, titles of pieces and the keys in which pieces are written
k)practice methods.


6)Candidates will need to explore a number of primers and supplementary materials reflecting various philosophical perspectives and teaching methods. Outline a program of repertoire and technical work from the beginning up to and including the second grade offered by the AMEB in their chosen instrument for a student of specified age and experience.


Several points that come up in my head, I wonder why the candidates are not asked how to teach more advanced students? Certainly the beginner is amongst the most difficult (and most numerous) students you can come across. I also wonder why it has bais towards teaching children and does not considering in more detail how to teach all age groups. Also the requirements of how to teach question 5 for instance, they would all relate to a beginner. The question would be much more detailed if you wanted to explain how to improve an advanced student in these areas.

[Bob]

Watch out for lists of what people are supposed to be able to do.  Sometimes those describe the ideal person or something that really isn't realistic.  You can have a committee creating those things... strange things happen. 

It could be set at an easier level so people can get the certificate and start teaching.  (If they need it to teach.)

Also watch out for places/organizations that are basically selling a certificate.  After you've got enough, you don't really benefit from more.  But they do and are willing to take your money.

When something's a bit off, there's a reason for it, even if it's not apparent.  Take what you can from it and leave them with the rest.

[lostinidlewonder]

Watch out for lists of what people are supposed to be able to do.  Sometimes those describe the ideal person or something that really isn't realistic.  You can have a committee creating those things... strange things happen. 

It could be set at an easier level so people can get the certificate and start teaching.  (If they need it to teach.)

Also watch out for places/organizations that are basically selling a certificate.  After you've got enough, you don't really benefit from more.  But they do and are willing to take your money.

When something's a bit off, there's a reason for it, even if it's not apparent.  Take what you can from it and leave them with the rest.

The list is part of the written examination to become a teacher under the AMEB. The AMEB is a world recognised musical body. I don't think any of what is on the list is telling us how to teach but ask some question on the principles of teaching young beginners.

[timothy42b]

The candidate is required to demonstrate:

1) An understanding of child development in relation to:

a) the development of the student's independence as a learner.
b) individual needs
c) the role of relationships; parent/teacher/student
d) the ages and stages of child development

While it wouldn't need to be added to the rules, I would say to be really effective a master teacher would also understand

e) the effect of cultural background and
f) the impact of generational change. 

[dora96]

Recently I have changed a new piano teacher. She asked me that what do I want to do?  I replied that I want to continue to study my diploma level but as the meantime, it would be nice to be accredited teacher to teach, learn money to support my further study of piano.

She provides me that a syllabus of DipABRSM. I sort of have a glance of it, but the requirement is little bit scary. First of all, I need to have ABRSM grade 6 theory of 1992 in current . I did my grade 6 back in 1980. I presume that I need to redo my grade 6 theory overall again. Plus the written exam, and each of the requirement you have listed above. I just feel that I don't know how to go about it. I don't even know where to get someone to teach me this subject, because the question is so subjective and wide. Is there a past exam paper or textbook about this syllabus? I just wonder if you know collage or TAFE will teach this kind of stuff. Where I can find professional teacher ? I came from Asian background, my English is average, not too great in academic. Most piano teachers I come across, their qualifications are Diploma level. They teach only the practical side. I feel that I should learn theory or music knowledge in class or group section. My teacher is professional concert pianist but she is foreigner, she has her degree in Europe, however she can teach me one on one but you can imagine what will this cost.

When I think about teaching, one of my university friend just past grade 8, but she has been teaching piano and clarinet since she was in grade 6. She is making good pocket money and the kids love her because she is clam, gentle and patient. If people will teach whatever level they teach, students will go for the one who can offer the most.  For my own experience, I had a very knowledgeable piano teacher that taught me, but I just can't warm to her, the method she was teaching I just couldn't understand. Each week, I had to guess what she meant by this or that. Via my friend from church, he played the piano for pleasure, improvising different style of music, I feel so exhilarating to watch and the way he combines the music theory into the practical side of the music. It all makes sense.

I do understand to get accredited is the gateway to music career. Nowadays,  to apply a job more certificates people get, the more chance they have. The above questions you listed, I may only know half. if some members of the forums know more or know it very well. I will love to see how to tackle it. Thank you for posting this.

[lostinidlewonder]

..  don't even know where to get someone to teach me this subject, because the question is so subjective and wide. Is there a past exam paper or textbook about this syllabus? I just wonder if you know collage or TAFE will teach this kind of stuff.

Candidates are allowed to enter examination without having a supervising teacher. TAFE does have programs relating to music education, you just have to check it out for your region.

Some resource material.
TEXTS:
- Agay, D. Teaching Piano. 2 vols. New York: Yorktown Music Press, 1981.
-Ahrens & Atkinson, For All Piano Teachers (Harris).
-Bastien, J. How To Teach Piano Successfully. 3rd ed. San Diego: Kjos, 1995.
-Bolton, H. On Teaching The Piano. Sevenoaks: Novello, 1954.
-Last, J. The Young Pianist. 2nd ed. London: OUP, 1972.

MAGAZINES
Clavier Magazine
Australian Music Teacher
American Music Teacher
Piano Explorer
Keys Piano Music Magazine
Keyboard Companion

VIDEOS
-Conversations with Frances Clark
-Cooke, Max. Tone, Touch, and Technique for the Young Pianist
-True, Nelita. Technique Through Listening, The Studio Lesson, Principles of Style for the Young Pianist, Portrait of a Pianist Teacher.
-Patkin, Nehama. My Music Teacher's O.K. , Small Hands on Big Grands.

Videos are available from national and international piano pedagogy conferences and the internet. You can also get your library to order it in.

[keyofc]

This sounds very similar to MTNA certification -
and it's widely recognized as well in US.

[dora96]

Thank you for letting me know Lostinidlewonder. I am going to check it out. I just wonder when I look at some other musicians' qualification. They may describe they have certificate I,II,III, advanced certificate. DipABRSM, AMEB Diploma, ATCL, LTCL,  FTCL etc... What is the difference ? Different countries have different systems, different kind of Diploma.  Once people get to Diploma level, obviously they are capable of teaching piano. Even people only have grade 6, they are trying to teach.

What I mean is to teach beginner, do you really require that much, such high eduction ? If you talk or teach about theory to kids under 10, it just likes to talk about different languages. Most kids don't really understand, or how to grasp the musical concept. When they come to piano exam, they try to memorize what the teacher told them, but not really understand why or how the theory works.  Like you describe, the examination board focus on teaching kids to young adult, not much saying about older adult.

Once people have that sort of qualification, what is the aspect of getting musical career ? Suppose teaching in Kindergarten, high school, or university. I also wonder how many years have to prepare this sort of exam? Is there a practical piece to be performed. I just don't really know much about this. 

[lostinidlewonder]

Thank you for letting me know Lostinidlewonder. I am going to check it out. I just wonder when I look at some other musicians' qualification. They may describe they have certificate I,II,III, advanced certificate. DipABRSM, AMEB Diploma, ATCL, LTCL,  FTCL etc... What is the difference ?

Well.. there is a difference between each but in the end I find that it is just important to show people that you have some sort of education. the exact difference between each is only important if you can do those courses in your country. AMEB Amus, LMus type dimplomas are more regarded than TAFE qualifications, I also believe that AMEB diplomas are more difficult to acquire than ABRSM, I don't really want to explain why people can compare that for themselves if it interets them.

Once people get to Diploma level, obviously they are capable of teaching piano. Even people only have grade 6, they are trying to teach.

I remember when I was younger being told that you need only grade 4 AMEB to start teaching. That is a bit suprising isn't it! The reality is that most students will not go past grade 2 AMEB. But not all students want to do examinations, how do you deal with that? If you only know up to grade 4 then you are very limited in the repertoire you yourself can learn and teach.

What I mean is to teach beginner, do you really require that much, such high eduction ?

Personally I find that beginners are the hardest students to teach. Advacned or Intermediate students are a joy to teach because a lot of the work they know how to get through themselves, all I have to do is direct them and ensure they stay on path. For beginners it is like a game of golf, where you help them hit the ball, then drag them through the course because they don't know how to walk through it.

I also don't think that any degree outside of a univeristy is very high education. To get a diploma in AMEB all you have to do is sit for the exams pass it and there you go done! But study a music at univeristy then you have to dedicate 3 years study full time, then you can even do a Masters and Doctorate degree which is couple of years depending on the unveristy. However even with these qualifications a beginner student can simply force you to throw out all that you have learnt! And you have to literally improvise how to teach the beginner (get into their heads and understand how they learn on their terms) they find the simplest things difficult!

Once people have that sort of qualification, what is the aspect of getting musical career ? Suppose teaching in Kindergarten, high school, or university. I also wonder how many years have to prepare this sort of exam? Is there a practical piece to be performed. I just don't really know much about this.  

If you want to teach at an educational institution you will have to get your Degree in Teachering, which is a seperate course to a Musical one (a 3-4 year study at univeristy). I have not known any musical teacher here in Australia that teachers in a school that is without a Degree of Teaching from a univeristy, although I do know musical teachers who teach at schools who have no music degree! I couln't personally work for an institution, that is why all the work I do is freelance and on my own. It really is like any other business that you can do. Thus studying business, motivation, goal setting etc are extremely important for those who want to teach music on their own.

[dan101]

When I received my teacher's A.R.C.M, two huge items of importance were how I performed and how I interviewed. At that time, the committee was very concerned with people skills, as this is of the utmost importance in private teaching, or any type of teaching venue for that matter.

For public school classroom teaching, get the one year teaching degree. For private school, that year long course is not a necessity in music. For university level, you need a Master's or a Doctorate.

Good luck.

[dora96]

When I received my teacher's A.R.C.M, two huge items of importance were how I performed and how I interviewed. At that time, the committee was very concerned with people skills, as this is of the utmost importance in private teaching, or any type of teaching venue for that matter.

For public school classroom teaching, get the one year teaching degree. For private school, that year long course is not a necessity in music. For university level, you need a Master's or a Doctorate.

Good luck.

Hi Dan101,

Thank you for bringing up the two huge items :- performed and interviewed. Acutely, I have been struggling the performance side of the repertoires, practising by myself  is good as gold. But come to present it and performing the pieces students have put their heart and soul into them. It is totally different and separate skill.

Can you elaborate little more about performing technique? I know I can play the socks off my own repertoires by myself, but come to performance, all sort of unexpected thing happen, stumbling, memorization laps,  losing control, can't stay focus long enough. I just wonder what is the separate skill? I know most teachers will say just practise and more practise and eventually the students will get the hang of it. Surely most brilliant concert pianists, they have tremulous memorization and concentration. Can these sort of diploma teaching people that? Not only theory but in a practical way.

[omar_roy]

The best way for students to get used to playing in front of people is for them to perform as much as they can.  The more we perform, the more we grow our ability to focus and tune out distractions.  Some people are just born with a certain sense of confidence so that they don't get nervous in front of audiences, but the vast majority DOES get nervous and anxious and worries about things like "What if i mess up, what if they think i suck, etc etc."

As I said, the best way is to give students as many opportunities to perform, and try to encourage them to do it.  Each performance is a lesson in itself as we always learn from what we did.  Although I strive to make every performance perfect, I leave the stage reflecting on what happened, what didn't go as planned, and what did.  With each recital, I try to focus on one thing to improve.  For example, I used to have a problem with controlling tempo whilst performing.  I would get nervous, and the more nervous I got, the more I would speed up my playing.  So for the next recital or two, I made sure that my tempi were as planned.  Having something to concentrate on while performing helps immensely.

Likewise the best way to develop interpersonal skills is to talk to people.  Not just friends, but people you don't know.  Go to a bar, a library, anywhere that you can talk and converse with people.  Striking up a conversation with someone is not as easy as it sounds.  Many people view the word "Interview" as synonymous with "Interrogation." That not only makes the interviewee nervous, but the interviewer as well.  Part of being a good performer is putting your audience at ease, making them comfortable with you.  The same goes for interviews.