All About Music For Beginners & Selecting Instruments

[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!

[Dreamaurora]

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!

I do agree with you and good music exists across the genres; it would be a disservice to limit a music student's appreciation of various musical genres. For piano and violin at least, there are a wide variety of music available to learn and play, even at the lower grades. With the rise of online retailers, teaching materials and repertoire are much more readily accessible now.

Unfortunately, the way many teachers teach are still very much pedantic i.e. exam repertoire focused. I do have to commend ABRSM and the other exam boards for including a more balanced and varied repertoire choice for their exam lists, but not many teachers are willing to teach outside their comfort zone e.g. I know of quite a few piano teachers who avoid assigning jazz pieces for their students. There is also a lack of appreciation and critical thinking of repertoire being learned. I have given masterclasses a few times now and common questions I always ask participating students is if they are aware the meaning of the titles of their pieces or the mood/character/story the pieces trying to convey. I can say roughly 95% of students could not answer these questions. So unfortunately, rote learning is still very prevalent among many teachers here and while undoubtedly some students will still be attracted to classical music, more students will find the process of acquiring repertoire dry and uninteresting.

[Longiflorum]

Dreamaurora:

Unfortunately, the way many teachers teach are still very much pedantic i.e. exam repertoire focused. I do have to commend ABRSM and the other exam boards for including a more balanced and varied repertoire choice for their exam lists, but not many teachers are willing to teach outside their comfort zone e.g. I know of quite a few piano teachers who avoid assigning jazz pieces for their students. There is also a lack of appreciation and critical thinking of repertoire being learned. I have given masterclasses a few times now and common questions I always ask participating students is if they are aware the meaning of the titles of their pieces or the mood/character/story the pieces trying to convey. I can say roughly 95% of students could not answer these questions. So unfortunately, rote learning is still very prevalent among many teachers here and while undoubtedly some students will still be attracted to classical music, more students will find the process of acquiring repertoire dry and uninteresting.

Hi Dreamaurora,

Thanks for sharing. I'm quite surprised that rote learning has become so prevalent (even in music) compared to let's say 30 to 40 years back, where probably there is less awareness that rote is the way to succeed in our education system, less competitive pressures and therefore the existence of more spontaneity. Rote is definitely not the way to produce critical and creative thinkers.

[Dreamaurora]

Longiflorum:

Dreamaurora:

Unfortunately, the way many teachers teach are still very much pedantic i.e. exam repertoire focused. I do have to commend ABRSM and the other exam boards for including a more balanced and varied repertoire choice for their exam lists, but not many teachers are willing to teach outside their comfort zone e.g. I know of quite a few piano teachers who avoid assigning jazz pieces for their students. There is also a lack of appreciation and critical thinking of repertoire being learned. I have given masterclasses a few times now and common questions I always ask participating students is if they are aware the meaning of the titles of their pieces or the mood/character/story the pieces trying to convey. I can say roughly 95% of students could not answer these questions. So unfortunately, rote learning is still very prevalent among many teachers here and while undoubtedly some students will still be attracted to classical music, more students will find the process of acquiring repertoire dry and uninteresting.

Hi Dreamaurora,

Thanks for sharing. I'm quite surprised that rote learning has become so prevalent (even in music) compared to let's say 30 to 40 years back, where probably there is less awareness that rote is the way to succeed in our education system, less competitive pressures and therefore the existence of more spontaneity. Rote is definitely not the way to produce critical and creative thinkers.

To be honest, I am actually quite surprised myself also. I did a thesis on the late Lucien Wang last time and did quite extensive research into her teaching (despite not knowing her personally when she was alive) alongside her colleagues such as the late Victor Doggett. When I interviewed her former students all recounted a teacher who was very passionate about her craft and gave them lifelong appreciation of classical music. Not a single one ever mentioned about her ability to produce good results or prizes in competitions (though she certainly was not short on those!).

Perhaps now what you said is correct; but it is the unfortunate byproduct of the booming demands for music lessons and the higher emphasis placed on excelling nowadays.

[alternateshift]

Hi. Thinking of send my 5yo son for some music introduction classes. Hopefully have chance to be exposed to different instruments before choosing to focus on one. Anyone knows if any schools offer such programs? Thanks in advance