Dear Rowan,re Anglo    I dont want to comment on anyone who hides behind the petticoats of anonymity.I try to adapt my teaching methods to suit the pupil, I dont insist on them reading music, I will teach people by tab or a b c, or tonic solfa, I always Make it clear that with ttraditional music the best way to memorise it is to sing or diddle it, so my methods are not all that formal , more a question of trying to suit the pupils particular needs. What I do think is important is for people to understand what they are doing. this doesnt mean people have to read music, its not my preferences that are important but the pupils, after all they are paying.Personally I think the very best idea is for FOLK MUSIC to be included in the national curriculum , For four or five years at primary school[ as the jesuits used to say, catch them before their Eight and they are yours for life]. in the meantime the examination system is in my opinion the next best thing. I will now try and find the comhaltas syllabus. if Scotus could give us an idea of the scottish syllabus that would be useful too.