At higher grades you must be able to discuss with the examiner musical features such as texture, form, style, and period of a piece of music. My own web pages to help with these parts of the test at Grade 5+ and at GCSE are available here!
I'm looking for a piano teacher - what should I do?
Where to look
 | European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA UK) Teachers Register or Find a Teacher |
| Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) Yearbook 020 7408 1538 |
| Local libraries and music shops |
| Local music festivals |
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What to look for
| Qualifications |
| A recognised diploma (in performance or teaching) or a degree in which piano studies are an important component |
| Experience of teaching a range of different ages and abilities |
| A professional outlook, with an organised schedule and clearly established terms and conditions |
| Evidence of continuing professional development (master classes, summer schools and courses) |
| Evidence of regular performing |
| Membership of professional bodies |
| Many good teachers will offer an initial consultation lesson, very often for free |
What to form a judgement on at your consultation lesson
| is the teacher CRB checked? |
| what is the teaching room or studio like? |
| does the teacher have enthusiasm for music? |
| does s/he teach theory and note reading? |
| does s/he develop pupils' listening skills? |
| can s/he teach improvising and/ or composition? |
| how does s/he help pupils build up good practice habits? |
| does s/he organise pupil concerts? |
| is a range of musical styles introduced? |
| are progress reports given? |
| are communication skills good? |
| does s/he enter pupils successfully for exams? |
| up to which practical and theoretical grades or diplomas does s/he prepare students? |