All About Music For Beginners & Selecting Instruments

[metz]

phtthp:

A) if a child started playing piano as first musical instrument at k2, when is a good time to introduce violin next?


B) if another child started playing violin as first musical instrument at k2, when is
A good time to introduce piano next?

Perhaps there's never a good time?

Both my kids started on learning 2 instruments when they were preschoolers. They started on violin lessons first and took piano lessons 4~6 months later. No definite time on when they should start on a second instrument.

They started off on violin first because of my elder kid's interest and also because I knew of a good violin teacher. As they were learning violin the Suzuki style, I thought learning piano would help them on sight reading and theory.

Basically, for my kids, I went along with their interests first, followed by their abilities to handle the instrument before letting them take on a second instrument.

One important consideration is the parents' time and commitment to help out with their learning journey. For myself, the journey (so far) has been rather pleasant as taking abrsm exams isn't my main objective for them.

[Libratigger]

Dear Mummies and Daddies,


I would like to seek your valuable advice as to the first step in introducing my DS music. He is currently 2.5 yo. There are a so many centers offering music courses for young children and I clueless on which centers to chose from? Basically it will be a starting place for him to learn rhythm and scores or basic fundaments to music and progress to chose an instrument for him to learn. As I do not have the privilege to learnt any music before, so I do not know what to look out for in the selection process. Bt I do know the school should inculcate in him the love for music and provide a gd foundation to move on thereafter.

TIA

[Dreamaurora]

Libratigger:

Dear Mummies and Daddies,


I would like to seek your valuable advice as to the first step in introducing my DS music. He is currently 2.5 yo. There are a so many centers offering music courses for young children and I clueless on which centers to chose from? Basically it will be a starting place for him to learn rhythm and scores or basic fundaments to music and progress to chose an instrument for him to learn. As I do not have the privilege to learnt any music before, so I do not know what to look out for in the selection process. Bt I do know the school should inculcate in him the love for music and provide a gd foundation to move on thereafter.

TIA

I think the most important is whoever is conducting the class must be patient and can connect with the children at their level. You should request to sit in to observe or a trial.

[Justdoit]

Dear all


Any recommendation of a good piano school for 6years old? I only know of Yamaha music school, but are they good and not too commercialised?

[Dreamaurora]

Justdoit:

Dear all


Any recommendation of a good piano school for 6years old? I only know of Yamaha music school, but are they good and not too commercialised?

Most, if not all, music schools are commercialized to a certain degree. It's a bit hard to categorize what is a good music school; it really depends on what you believe a good music lesson is and your level of expectation. So, a music school that is highly regarded by a parent may elicit completely opposite reaction by another parent.

That being said, the most important factor is the teacher who will be teaching your child at the end. You want someone who is truly dedicated to teach and not just in it to earn some pocket money. Other factors to consider would be the efficiency of the admin staff and the support system in place e.g. student concerts, masterclasses.

[Angelight]

Hi, anyone has the piano music score for this classic piece "Romance de Armor"? Preferably simplified version for grade 3. I tried searching a few music/piano websites but couldn’t find any on this piece. Strange…considering it’s quite a renowned and popular piece.

[waiyean]

Justdoit:

Dear all

Any recommendation of a good piano school for 6years old? I only know of Yamaha music school, but are they good and not too commercialised?

Hi Justdoit,
I can only think of one music school for that age that is not too commercialised, ie. NAFA. They have a low per hour rate, and personally I think the school fees is just a formality. However, quality of teaching is extremely high.

[Justdoit]

Dreamaurora:

Justdoit:

Dear all


Any recommendation of a good piano school for 6years old? I only know of Yamaha music school, but are they good and not too commercialised?

Most, if not all, music schools are commercialized to a certain degree. It's a bit hard to categorize what is a good music school; it really depends on what you believe a good music lesson is and your level of expectation. So, a music school that is highly regarded by a parent may elicit completely opposite reaction by another parent.

That being said, the most important factor is the teacher who will be teaching your child at the end. You want someone who is truly dedicated to teach and not just in it to earn some pocket money. Other factors to consider would be the efficiency of the admin staff and the support system in place e.g. student concerts, masterclasses.

thanks for your advice!http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/posting.php?mode=quote&f=12&p=1039346#

[Justdoit]

waiyean:

Justdoit:

Dear all

Any recommendation of a good piano school for 6years old? I only know of Yamaha music school, but are they good and not too commercialised?

Hi Justdoit,
I can only think of one music school for that age that is not too commercialised, ie. NAFA. They have a low per hour rate, and personally I think the school fees is just a formality. However, quality of teaching is extremely high.

Oh NAFA has piano classes, didn't know that. Thanks so much Waiyean, will find out more...

[Longiflorum]

Hi everyone, a little late in joining this thread. I have learnt both the piano and violin. The piano is easy to learn, but hard to master. The violin is hard to learn, but easy to master.


There is no perfect instrument to start with, and while music does have patterns like sequences, inversions and transpositions, let us remember that music is not a science comprised of just logical patterns, but an art which requires understanding and expressing emotions from the heart and intention of the composer, to translating them via psychomotor skills on the instrument. Just note prolonged exposure to violin practise may but not necessarily lead to injuries to the neck, shoulder and back, but don’t let this deter you from letting your child learn the violin if his/her interest is there as there are ways to prevent them. Would you stop your child from using the computer because it leads to injuries from prolonged use?

There is an abundance of "classical music for babies" and "Mozart for babies" CDs out there, most of which claim it improves the learning of infants. Most of the pieces are from the classical era (1750-1820) with a slight mix of impressionist pieces of Debussy. The rhythmic patterns such as those above and the more complex structure (compared to rock and pop) may possibly lead to improved logical and spatial reasoning. Many parents have rushed to drown their babies in such music because their friends told them to, blocking out other possible music training and appreciation.

I think a broader exposure to music is more important at an early age. Include other genres - jazz, the more expressive music from the Romantic era, and modern day pop, rock and R&B which have a greater emphasis on rhythm and dance. There is nothing wrong with disliking the piano and violin. We should perhaps aim to help the child discover his or her interest!