Is it possible? 2 grades in 18 months on violin

£60/hr! Wowzer.

The teacher is the key here. A teacher you bond with can see you whizz through. A teacher who is unclear and rambling can see you stall.

Breadth is important but can be achieved in lots of ways. A teacher I really rate does a lot of sight reading, enough on the pieces they’re working on and 5-10 mins playing duets with the pupil at the end of the lesson. The latter really brings them on as it avoids that shock of playing with others suddenly when you get an accompanist for exams.

They’re too far north for you but you could ring round local music schools. Many hold local lists of private teachers they rate.

On my second instrument I went from nothing to grade 8 in 4 years and I didn’t find it hard. If he’s musical and loves it he’ll go far.

The school would introduce their own music teachers.

Okkkaaay. She is going to want to keep you long term. Sorry, but I think she is not thinking about your DS.

Oh, the big gap. That's another one. Have heard that a couple of times too. There wasn't a big gap for DD, she went from g2 to g4 in 6 months. Sounds like she doesn't want him to progress and possibly go off to JD or somewhere else. For children who are really keen, the earlier grades, up to 5 can be rapid, otherwise they will possibly get bored.

Two years is ridiculous if he is as obsessed as you say. What is that in fees?

”there is a big gap between the grades 3 and 4”

DS1’s teacher recommended he skip grade 4 because the gap wasn’t big enough! As I say, he went from 3 to 5 in a year.

Yes, it's very doable. If you're in central London, have you/he considered auditioning for either the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music or the Centre for Young Musicians (part of the Guildhall School) for their Saturday programmes?

Should be very doable. At that stage my children were taking a grade a term (alternating instruments) so on each instrument they went up a grade every two terms.

Sight-reading on orchestral instrument will be important, so it's good that he is strong on that.

I don't necessarily agree that he would have more chance on a different instrument. Orchestras need far more violinists than anything else. I guess it depends on the individual school though.

When we moved I asked a local music shop for recommendations and got a brilliant teacher, they told me she was young and keen and she was.

Sound like a mini-musician!

Diets, my DD is 10 and doing g6 violin in July. She changed teacher in January, as her previous teacher was similar to yours. DD went from g2 to g5 last year, not without huge complaining and digs by her teacher. After g5 she wanted to put a stop to exams for a year, so we found a new, lovely teacher who has just said DD is already g6 standard. Have to travel though.

This is a control thing. Teachers like this make you feel pushy, and in contrast, their higher goal is musicianship and a wide repertoire. The thing is, it is not some altruistic endeavour. They are being paid and, I think, should take notice of the child/parents goals.

The agreement to take an exam, moving it, then not entering him is typical of this type of thinking. And not very motivating for your son. I was a bit like you about moving DD but it has worked out very well. Her former violin teacher still teaches her piano but that has to stop now too, as she said DD was being entered for g2 spring exams, and then changed her mind because DD had a violin audition and she thought the "stress" would be too much.

When/if you approach a new teacher, do tell her from the start what your goals are. If you have a musical child, this shouldn't be a problem. You could also tell them that you are looking for a new teacher as the former one wasn't a good fit as she was very relaxed about goals. You're in central London, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a motivating teacher. Makes the world of difference.

I'm sure others will disagree, but frankly, music lessons and everything around it has a financial cost and you have not unreasonable plans, which are quite common. If she is not on board you should find someone who is.

We were at a violin workshop over the last few days, and one of mothers has a 10 year old post g8 daughter about to go to a music school. They had changed teachers several times, because, the mum said, with a dismissive wave of her hand, they didn't appreciate the bigger plan. I understand that takes a certain confidence.

Or can you find out which teacher he’d have if he had lessons at the preferred secondary school and see if he/she also teaches privately?

This is where playing in orchestras helps- you can ask others for teacher recommendations. Are there any youth orchestras or ensembles near you he could join?

Which area are you in OP? People might be able to help with suggestions.

Does he have any friends who play ? Recommendations are the best way of finding new teachers . You could also look up music tutors on google most would offer a free trial lesson . Does his school offer lessons ?

My dc has done grade 2, 4, 5, 7 & 8.
My 10 yr is currently working on grade 7, but with no rush to do the exam. While schools say grade 5 minimum, you should be aware that there will be dc that have done grade 7/8 in a couple of instruments by y5 or 6.

DS1 did grade 5 last July when he was two months past his 10th birthday, a year after passing his grade 3. He’s now working on his grade 6 and got a music scholarship for secondary school at an audition in January.

Perfectly normal to skip grades. I did 3,5,7,8 myself.

Why are you still using that teacher?