All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[sleepy]

jedamum:

dont group theory classes have their own curriculum?


to get teacher to recommend? (ours is with cristofori).

The various music schools I called up all told me the same thing, depend on the child's pace. Doesn't seem like there is a fixed curriculum.

I picked the school with most convenient timing. Without recommendation. The teacher is assigned by music school. She happens to be available at the timing we want.

I received recommendation for another private teacher but she's part time and needs travelling for her full time job. With 20 weeks before theory exam, I prefer a confirmed timing and regularly weekly lessons.

So I decided to walk in to a music school for more certainty.

[ngl2010]

MommySherrie:

ngl2010:

[quote=\"MommySherrie\"]

My DD and DS's teacher mentioned that you can skip grades but there are some prerequisite for Grade 6 practical, which is Gr5 theory and practical.

But my view is that, my children also learn how to appreciate music as they progress and not only focus on the exams.

Hi. I believe the requirement is Grade 5 theory OR practical. It is either one. Not both. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Just did a quick check, because I wasn't sure either. So abrsm website said you need both.

You may check here too : http://us.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano/grade-6/[/quote]It is an OR. Not AND. Please also see Phankao's post above.

My son had passed Grade 8 exam this year. He only did Grade 5 theory (he actually didn't sit for any other practical/theory exam other than Grade 5 theory and Grade 8 practical in his entire life).

[sleepy]

micollh:

thanks sleepy !


btw, to prevent grading during psle year.. any path advise for 6 yo till then ?

I think it depends on the child's pace. My dd2 started piano (group) lessons at age 5 before switching to individual lessons from grade 1 onwards. Now learning grade 7.
In any case, I told her confirm I will not enrol her for exam after first half of p5. If she's keen to pursue grade 8, then it's entirely up to her to work harder and faster. She is p3 now.

I feel that the key is to clear grade 5 theory exam as early as possible so as not be caught in the predicament I mentioned earlier.

My dd1 sat for her grade 5 theory earlier this year. Had to put her practical on hold until she clear theory paper. So if were to register for practical exam, the earliest will be next year which is her p6 year.
In view of that, I already persuaded dd1 to suspend her cello lesson since end of last year. This year P5 is busy enough, not gonna add more stress to juggle daily practice on top of school commitment and preparing for music exam next year.

[Dreamaurora]

jedamum:

sleepy:

If your ds is ready, just prep for grade 5 right away, need not be sync with his practical piano grade. However, knowledge from grade 1 to 4 is still necessary.
.

sleepy,
how do i do this (above)?
dont group theory classes have their own curriculum?
will commercial schools prefer to teach slower (more fee)?
to get teacher to recommend? (ours is with cristofori).
i do hope to get him clear theory now that he has lesser commitment.
he has a good memory (wrt to terms and definition) and so far theory is ok (he will attempt extra theory exercises on his own when his teacher has no time to teach/assign theory work).

i got a shock the day before the exam to learn that there is a 'required speed' for playing the pieces and the scales. do you think should get metronome? (or is there one in iphone version). teacher had feedback that son was rushing through the pieces, while son protested that he had already slowed down. i have no clue as they sounded similar to me.

There are teachers who specialize in prepping grade 5 theory without any theory background; all that is required is ability to read music comfortably, preferably piano music. I am one such teacher and my students never sat for grade 1-4 theory; the first theory exam they took was grade 5 (yes, even the young ones). 17-20 hours are roughly what is needed to complete the syllabus and go through the past year papers. Unlike practical, theory can be taken in larger dosage. Just for the sake of an experiment last year, I attempted to crash course a sec 3 girl for grade 5 theory (no theory background, but she had passed grade 7 practical Trinity under me) last year within a span of 3 weeks, I think we spent roughly 16 hours in total together and the girl managed to get a merit. It was very much possible to cram the lessons into short amount of time, though personally I won't recommend it as it was really stressful.

I've successfully prepared 7 and 8 year olds for grade 5 theory, though the preparation was longer (around 8 months of lessons about half hour each per week). I think 8 year old is the sweet spot as the kids would be more proficient with the mathematical calculations needed to tackle some of the questions (yes, need to be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide comfortably).

As for the required speed, in general the ABRSM books will recommend a speed for the pieces. They are not be taken as absolute and teachers should exercise judgement to choose a tempo that is more suitable for the music as examiners examine the end musical result, and not whether the written markings are followed slavishly. A good example is 2011-2012 Gillock's Carnival in Rio that was set for grade 4. The recommended speed in the ABRSM book is on the slow side and does not suit the music. A more lively speed suits the music much better (even the pianist who played the CD for the book agrees and plays it faster accordingly).

For scales, there is a required minimum speed as stated in the ABRSM scale books. In exam, students can play at the specified speed or faster, but playing slower will incur penalty.

Use of metronome will depend on teacher. For me, it is indispensable for practice. But there are well known teachers who are against it as they believe it promotes mechanical playing and inhibit musicality. I think the general consensus is that metronome is useful in making sure the playing is even in tempo, but the moment the notes are mastered, usage of metronome should be limited.

[Dreamaurora]

micollh:

thanks sleepy !


btw, to prevent grading during psle year.. any path advise for 6 yo till then ?

The end goal would be to achieve grade 8 by P5 July (yes, some of my students' parents actually request this to be achieved). So let's say start as beginner at 6 year old. Can try this plan (assuming your child starts this month):

Age 7 - July/August 2014 (Grade 2 practical exam)
Age 8 - October 2015 (Grade 5 theory)
Age 9 - February 2016 (Grade 5 practical exam)
Age 10 - July/August 2017 (optional Grade 7 practical exam)
Age 11 - July/August 2018 (Grade 8 practical exam)

Of course, this will depend on your child's natural ability and teacher's teaching skill. I have to stress that this is assuming that your child is reasonably 'gifted', the teacher is very skilled and experienced in preparing this kind of progression, and you are providing the necessary support and help in practicing.

[jedamum]

Thanks everyone for sharing.

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

micollh:

thanks sleepy !


btw, to prevent grading during psle year.. any path advise for 6 yo till then ?

The end goal would be to achieve grade 8 by P5 July (yes, some of my students' parents actually request this to be achieved). So let's say start as beginner at 6 year old. Can try this plan (assuming your child starts this month):

Age 7 - July/August 2014 (Grade 2 practical exam)
Age 8 - October 2015 (Grade 5 theory)
Age 9 - February 2016 (Grade 5 practical exam)
Age 10 - July/August 2017 (optional Grade 7 practical exam)
Age 11 - July/August 2018 (Grade 8 practical exam)

Of course, this will depend on your child's natural ability and teacher's teaching skill. I have to stress that this is assuming that your child is reasonably 'gifted', the teacher is very skilled and experienced in preparing this kind of progression, and you are providing the necessary support and help in practicing.

How come not Diploma at Age 11? haha.

[Dreamaurora]

phankao:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"micollh\"]thanks sleepy !


btw, to prevent grading during psle year.. any path advise for 6 yo till then ?

The end goal would be to achieve grade 8 by P5 July (yes, some of my students' parents actually request this to be achieved). So let's say start as beginner at 6 year old. Can try this plan (assuming your child starts this month):

Age 7 - July/August 2014 (Grade 2 practical exam)
Age 8 - October 2015 (Grade 5 theory)
Age 9 - February 2016 (Grade 5 practical exam)
Age 10 - July/August 2017 (optional Grade 7 practical exam)
Age 11 - July/August 2018 (Grade 8 practical exam)

Of course, this will depend on your child's natural ability and teacher's teaching skill. I have to stress that this is assuming that your child is reasonably 'gifted', the teacher is very skilled and experienced in preparing this kind of progression, and you are providing the necessary support and help in practicing.

How come not Diploma at Age 11? haha.[/quote]Haha, I think for that to happen has to start lesson at 4 years old, or father/mother is a piano teacher.

[sleepy]

phankao:

How come not Diploma at Age 11? haha.

There is indeed a p4 girl in dd's piano class pursuing diploma

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

phankao:

How come not Diploma at Age 11? haha.

Haha, I think for that to happen has to start lesson at 4 years old, or fatherther is a piano teacher.

I know a few who did ATCL diploma at 10 or 11. Parents don't play instrument leh. I think they started around 5 or 6.