Questions about ABRSM exams and dyslexia

[LynetteScavo]

I'm asking here because I don't have a great relationship with DDs flute teacher.

The teacher has been quite insistent that DD learns her scales thoroughly. DD has explained to her teacher that because she's dyslexic, in previous exams she used her scale book. Looking on the website it says scales can be used "for reference" - I'm not quite sure what that means, is it OK to just read the scales as she plays them? The examiners never seemed bothered previously when she did.

I understand exams can be booked from 4th May. The teacher has said she has to book on the 4th May - is this because all slots get booked up quickly? I've sent over a copy of DDs dyslexia diagnosis to the teacher for her to forward to ABRSM.

Can anyone book a music exam? I thought it had to be a music teacher, but now I'm wondering if I could have avoided the humping and grumping from the teacher.

DD feels more than ready to take the exam, she was due to take it summer 2020, but that didn't happen because of Covid. The teacher wants her to wait until November, but I know DD will hardly play between now and September if she wasn't being examined until then.
I think the teacher is grumpy because I've stopped lessons until the end of May, partly because DD is doing GCSE assessments at the moment and partly because the teacher won't commit to a set time each week, and often doesn't turn up, so at least twice a week we're waiting online for the teacher who didn't turn up (the excuses were becoming quite elaborate) and it was becoming surprisingly stressful. The teacher texted to ask when DD wanted to start lessons again, which is when I brought up the exam, and have had to basically beg for DD to be entered. Last January the teacher was very keen for DD to be entered as so as possible.

There's obviously something I'm missing here about music exams, but I'm not sure what.

Anyone can book a music exam. I booked DC’s piano exams. I found the website confusing but got there in the end! No idea about scales/dyslexia, sorry.

Dyslexic DC here, who got extra time for reading

Wouldn't have occurred to us to ask to use a scale book, as reading slowed her down, and it wouldn't be an issue for how my DC's dyslexia manifests itself as there was no barrier to learning scales by heart

Anyone can book an exam though it’s easier if you know what you are doing to navigate the forms.

However when I booked ds’s Grade 5 theory I found ABRSM very helpful with regards to his autism. I had to email a copy of his Ed psych report and a letter from the school SENCO detailing what adjustments he needed. They granted him rest breaks, extra time and a room of his own. If he’d have done the higher grades he wouldn’t have had to do so much copying by hand.

Yes, you can book yourself, you need to set up an account. You would also need to book the accompanist and pay them for at least one practice before the exam. It sounds like you may need to find another teacher who is a bit more understanding. If she has been working on the same pieces since the summer, it might be time to ditch those ones and move on, you don't have to do every exam. To do grade 6 you need to do the theory which is all online so no writing. That may or may not be helpful. There's a very helpful music thread here if you have other questions.

If she ready to take the exam last summer I don’t know why the teacher didn’t just continue to the next grade. I know how frustrated dd was when her lamda and dance exams were cancelled last spring/summer. Lamda was grade 8 so nowhere to go onto and the dance exam are pre-requisites to higher grades so she still has to do them.

She could have been almost ready for grade 6 by now.

The problem with grade 6 is that DD is nowhere near ready for grade 5 theory. DDs learning style means she just can't learn by herself and needs a RL teacher. My knowledge of Music Theory just isn't good enough to help her. -and I'm too unmotivated to self learn with her

Yes, DD definitely needs a new teacher! There are very few local flute teachers though, and certainly none with any availability apart from this one. However, as we've never actually met her (well we did once, years ago) and all lessons DD has had since last summer have been online I suppose we could look for someone else who teaches on line, is reliable, kind and anywhere in a similar time zone!

Have you considered Trinity exams? (No theory exam required for Grade 6.

If you have doubts about the teacher I would definitely change. Perhaps have a look at Just Flutes - Find a teacher. (I will send you a message.)

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/adults/music-and-dyslexia-1

This has some information about access arrangements

Flute teacher here of some years experience now, including putting various students through various exam boards. Re ABRSM, you can book as a parent, I have parents do it sometimes but it's always after a discussion with me, I'd be horrified if they booked an exam I didn't seem the child ready for and indeed have it in my Ts and Cs. Booking on the day it opens is definitely a good idea with the current system, those slots go so fast it's unreal!
Scales wise I have had students with quote severe dyslexia but we've still always gone from memory, I'd have to dig quite hard in the regs to see if that was possible.
Going forward have you thought about the performance exams? (4 pieces, no scales.) Or ask teacher to look at MTB. They are a fab board, fairly new but fully accredited with all the same ucas links etc as the other boards. Exam is taken whenever ready, they have an 'alternative to scales from memory' choice, they also accept pieces on other exam boards syllabi.

Ugh, so many typos above, I apologise but hopefully you get the drift! Trinity incidentally that another poster suggested is also worth a look at, no just because of no theory requirement, but they also have various options within their syllabus too re scales etc.

We had considered Trinity going forward, but I hadn't realised performance exams were a thing! DD got quite excited when I told her, but recording one piece at a time for GCSE music took enough takes - I wonder how many takes DD would want to do with four pieces!

I would agree that recording four pieces is incredibly stressful, we set aside a week to do it. Probably did about 11 takes. The worst is when they get nearly to the end! Was worth it though as she did well. Think face to face was less stressful.

Well we're booked in, and know the day but not the time yet (Is that usual?) Can you tell I don't trust the teacher?! Also, the teacher said she could only put one special need, so was questioning whether to put dyslexia or DDs disability. DD didn't have the disability last time she took an exam, so that wasn't an issue before. I said to put dyslexia.

Not having a time is usual, don't worry!