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larold
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
 Posted - 20/08/2012 : 17:14:46
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Just wondered what the thoughts were on teaching grades to 11-16 year olds, I've got one pupil at the moment who is interested in doing some, just wondered if any fellow teachers had any experience in teaching the different boards? I've taught a bit of grade 1+2 rock school (didn't think much of them to be honest), but it's been about 15 odd years since I did my Trinity/Guildhall grade 8, so probably a bit out of date with that one!
Am currently teaching specifically to each pupils musical taste, incorporating music they like, learning tunes etc and then working on challenges that playing these tunes throw up. I did all my grades but can't say they've ever come in handy once to be honest... Although I suppose they do give you something tangible to work towards.
Thoughts anyone? |
www.youtube.com/laurenceclack |
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moosetication
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
12063 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 18:11:04
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| Take a look at the new Rockschool 2012 syllabus - I think it's improved somewhat over the 2006 syllabus, though the exams are structurally the same. I have no experience of teaching Trinity-Guildhall. |
"It's just a rest, no need to complicate it with monkeys." - sunshinehead
SITMS #31/582 (B'ham) #31/798 (M'cr) | The Blue Road | Jive Honey |
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WendyB
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
5645 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 18:13:41
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| Structured learning is the daily fodder for teenagers at school, but whilst some love to learn grade material, others just want to play. I suggest giving your students the option of studying for grades, using either or both systems, and learning other music too, putting no pressure on to sit the exams if they don't want to. Its often the parents that like a tangible measurement of how well little Johnny is doing rather than the students themselves, but the grades do also count towards UCAS at 18 which could be useful. |
I am No 5
www.wearefullyloaded.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ AND www.unforgivenmusic.co.uk
Honorary Forum Cupcake Baker. Nomnomnomnom. |
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thebeaver
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1834 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 00:53:06
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If you're gonna teach grades make sure:
1. the student can play ALL of the pieces in the book, not just three.
2. The student understands what they're playing and could effectively read or play that style if it cropped up on a gig (if you're learning a bossa nova tune, make sure they know what it is the other instruments are doing that makes it a bossa, so they could recognize and react to one outside of the exam).
3. Give them some applications of the technical exercise.
Basically, just make sure they're ready, and supplement the learning with other none grade specific learning. I've had guys come to me before flashing their grade 6/7/8 certificate at me, till I put on Chill Bill from grade 2 or Trenchtown from grade 3 and they can't make it through 4 bars...
"Oh we didnt really look at that one" is usually the response... |
Tunbridge Wells Music School
www.twmusicschool.com |
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larold
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
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moosetication
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
12063 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 18:45:00
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quote:
Originally posted by larold
Cheers all, good points... Didn't know about the UCAS contribution, handy to know.
Grades 6, 7 and 8 only, with the UCAS points being based on the grade achieved. |
"It's just a rest, no need to complicate it with monkeys." - sunshinehead
SITMS #31/582 (B'ham) #31/798 (M'cr) | The Blue Road | Jive Honey |
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larold
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 19:01:04
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quote:
Originally posted by moosetication
quote:
Originally posted by larold
Cheers all, good points... Didn't know about the UCAS contribution, handy to know.
Grades 6, 7 and 8 only, with the UCAS points being based on the grade achieved.
Nice, will check it all out properly, bit out of the loop with grades and always good to be well informed when giving advice! That kind of thing could be pretty handy for one of the little blighters though! |
www.youtube.com/laurenceclack |
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