Teacher Support

The AMEB system provides a structured pathway to achievement, supporting both teachers and students.

Setting goals: Having a clearly defined goal can be a powerful motivating force. AMEB syllabuses set educationally appropriate goals, and examinations are an opportunity for students to measure themselves against these goals.

Performing experience: Performing in front of others helps to develop poise and confidence; life skills that are useful for all sorts of future endeavors including making presentations, public speaking or even just giving a toast at a party.

Progress through feedback: Each candidate who completes an AMEB exam receives a personal written report from their examiner. This independent feedback encourages the student to progress by highlighting areas of strength and weakness under performance conditions to help guide students in their development.

Recognising achievement: Each successful AMEB candidate receives an official certificate recognising their achievement. An AMEB certificate is a tangible reminder of a milestone achieved and a source of great pride.

 

AMEB offers graded examinations in teaching music, including:

  • Certificate Teacher of Music Australia (CTMusA)
  • Associate Teacher of Music Australia (ATMusA) and
  • Licentiate Teacher of Music Australia (LTMusA).

These exams cover current pedagogy practice and combine practical and written sections to allow teachers to extend their knowledge and professional expertise.

Recommended prerequisites

  • Instrumentalists should be 18yrs+ in age
  • Vocalists should be 20yrs+ in age
  • A Pass in Grade 6 or above practical music
  • A Pass in Grade 4 Theory, Musicianship or Music Craft

  • Certificate Teacher of Music Australia (CTMusA)

    Certificate exams are designed as an introduction to the Associate diploma and have a practical approach that appeals to experienced teachers who wish to undertake their first formal study in current pedagogy or those who simply have a desire to extend their knowledge and professional expertise. 

  • Associate Teacher of Music Australia (ATMusA)

    The Associate Diploma is regarded as having a status equivalent to the Associate Diploma in practical and theoretical music subjects. Associate candidates receive the diploma after successfully completing three sections: a written exam, the completion of a teaching folio and a practical exam.

  • Licentiate Teacher of Music Australia (LTMusA)

    The Licentiate Diploma builds on the knowledge gained by teachers who have achieved the ATMusA and focuses on the quality of teaching and the broad understanding that is required for the teaching of Level 2 syllabuses. Licentiate candidates receive the diploma after successfully completing three sections: a written exam, the completion of a teaching folio and a practical exam. 

For more information, see the Manual of Syllabuses or the Teaching Digital Syllabuses. Please enquire with the office to find out more about examinations involved in these teaching qualifications.

AMEB publications

The following types of AMEB resources and publications are available for sale at the office, from most music retail outlets, and online from the AMEB Shop.

  • Manual of Syllabuses ($25 from office)
  • Grade Books
  • Technical Work books
  • Sight-reading Books
  • Aural Tests
  • Recording and handbooks
  • Recorded accompaniments
  • Manuscript paper
  • Teaching journals

  • MYTEMPO App
    Use the MyTempo app to practice with an accompaniment any time and at any speed. Available to buy from the Apple Store

  • Scale Helper for Amazon Alexa
    Master scales and arpeggios in a fun and interactive way with the new Scale Helper skill for Amazon Alexa. Just ask Scale Helper for a scale or arpeggio, set the speed and practise along with Alexa. Scale Helper works on any Alexa-enabled device.

  • Online Theory of Music Courses
    AMEB's Online Theory Courses enable students to learn music theory at their own pace, supporting what is taught in the classroom or private music studio. Courses are available for Theory of Music Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 (note - these are not exams), and access for 1 year to a course can be purchased via SCORE. 

SA privacy laws prohibit AMEB from giving out teacher information, and as we aim to support teachers, we do not promote one teacher above another.

The Music Teachers' Association of SA provides a register of private music teachers in SA, which might be useful in obtaining information relating to teachers in your area.

Candidates preparing and/or sitting for an AMEB exam are not required to have a teacher or an 'AMEB Qualified' Teacher. 

The Accompanists' Guild of SA Inc. provides a register of accompanists in SA, listed by area/postcode and also alphabetically. We do not provide accompanist information or promote one accompanist over another.

Did you know that AMEB has produced recorded accompaniments across many syllabuses in the earlier grades, which can be used in exams?

Whilst AMEB strongly encourages the use of a live accompaniment, there may be barriers (e.g. geographical, affordability etc.) for candidates which make exams with a live accompanist less accessible. Using official, AMEB recorded accompaniments is an option for candidates, where they have been made available.

Candidates using recorded accompaniment must supply and operate their own CD player or other quality audio equipment for their exam.

Recorded accompaniments are available for all grades in the For Leisure instrumental syllabuses and the lower grade exams (Preliminary to Grade 3 in most cases) for the following:

  • Violin: Series 9 & 10
  • Flute: Series 3 & 4
  • Clarinet: Series 3
  • Saxophone: Series 2
  • Cello: Series 2
  • Percussion: Series 1 (available to Grade 4)
  • Musical Theatre: Series 1
  • Trumpet: Series 2
  • Oboe: Series 1

AMEB SA & NT holds a limited number of CD recorded accompaniments for a discounted price. However, recorded accompaniments can be purchased as individual tracks or complete CDs from:

  • AMEB Shop, and
  • iTunes and other digital music outlets.