The following will be covered during the course, but in addition, we strongly recommend all students take piano lessons from a teacher who is experienced in preparing students for diplomas in performance. All PTC Tutors can offer such lessons, as required.

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Section 1: Teaching Skills Viva Voce

Section 2.1: Written Submission

Section 2.2: Quick Study

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Candidates must achieve at least a Pass in all three sections.

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Section 1: Teaching Skills Viva Voce – 60% of the total marks

 

This comprises a Case Study Portfolio, Video of Teaching Practice and Teaching Skills Viva Voce practical exam:

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Case Study Portfolio: Students undertake a Case Study of at least six months duration with three contrasting pupils, to be submitted 3 months prior to the closing date of their practical exam entry.

 

Video of Teaching Practice: Students make a 60-minute video of their teaching, to be submitted 3 months prior to the closing date of their practical exam entry. The video should be in two sections:

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1. A typical lesson featuring a pupil in their Case Study Portfolio which includes a range of activities.

2. A demonstration of teaching approaches, featuring a number of pupils of different ages and abilities.

 

Teaching Skills Viva Voce practical exam: Taking up to 50 minutes of the 75 minute exam, students are required to demonstrate their understanding of the principles of piano teaching, and of a variety of teaching approaches and strategies. They must be familiar with, and bring to the exam, a wide variety of teaching materials, some of which will be the graded ABRSM syllabus up to and including Grade 8.

Students must also choose three contrasting Grade 8 pieces (one from each section A, B and C), from the ABRSM syllabus that will be current when they take their LRSM, and prepare them so that they can perform them, or requested sections of them, and discuss them in terms of teaching and learning.

Students will also be asked questions about teaching and learning under the following headings:

 

• Musical Outlook

• Case Study Portfolio and Video of Teaching Practice

• Technique

• Pedagogy

• Written Submission

• Repertoire (including tutor books, exercises and other resources up to and including ABRSM Grade 8)

• Style and Interpretation

• History and background of the piano

• Professional values and practice

 

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​Section 2.1: Written Submission – 25% of the total marks

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Students select a title from the list and write a 4,500 word essay, to be submitted with their LRSM application form three months prior to their practical exam.

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Section 2.2: Quick Study – 15% of the total marks

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Taking up to 10 minutes of their 75 minute practical exam, students have five minutes to look at a new piece of Grade 7 in standard, and then play it well enough for pupils to be able to grasp it, and decide whether or not they want to learn it.

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Please see the ABRSM Teaching Diploma Syllabus for more information on the sections of the qualification, or contact us to discuss the course.