All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[sleepy]

pirate:

Not at Grade 1 they don't. Most of them don't anyway. It's a myth.

They do need on average at least an hour everyday, increasing as the exam approaches.

Seriously?!!
dd2 used to practise 2 to 3 hours everyday when in nafa for grade 1. Heard most of her classmates put in similar number of hours daily.
Yet her assigned nafa teacher still black face every lesson, said she's not practising hard enough. Okay maybe she 没天分

She's in kindy that time, no homework so I don't mind the long hours. However, I know I definitely do not want her to spend that much time on piano once in primary school

Now she's learning grade 8 with a private teacher. Oh boi, only practises like 30 minutes and not even everyday because busy wth school work.

I think she should have swap it - 30 mins for her grade 1, at least an hour for her grade 8 Anyway, need to pull up her socks, too relaxed la

[sleepy]

waiyean:

Actually on per hour basis, it is one of the cheapest I have seen.

I doubt nafa is one of the cheapest.
$73.95 per 45 mintues lesson is definitely on the high side for grade 1 in my opinion

Grade 1 in nafa
45 minutes practical & 60 minutes theory
(theory group size is big, definitely more than 10 in a group during dd2's time)
20 practical, 20 group theory S$1954.04


Arbitrary cost for theory:
I paid $185 for every 4 lessons of grade 5 theory lesson for 2 kids (don't know what's the price for grade 1) with a music school
1 hour. class size of 2.
So assume each child is $95 for 4 lessons, theory is $475 for 20 lessons


$1954 - (arbitrary cost for) theory $475 = 1479 for 20 practical lessons
nafa 1 practical lesson is $73.95 for 45 minutes

[Dreamaurora]

sleepy:

waiyean:

Actually on per hour basis, it is one of the cheapest I have seen.

I doubt nafa is one of the cheapest.
$73.95 per 45 mintues lesson is definitely on the high side for grade 1 in my opinion

Grade 1 in nafa
45 minutes practical & 60 minutes theory
(theory group size is big, definitely more than 10 in a group during dd2's time)
20 practical, 20 group theory S$1954.04


Arbitrary cost for theory:
I paid $185 for every 4 lessons of grade 5 theory lesson for 2 kids (don't know what's the price for grade 1) with a music school
1 hour. class size of 2.
So assume each child is $95 for 4 lessons, theory is $475 for 20 lessons


$1954 - (arbitrary cost for) theory $475 = 1479 for 20 practical lessons
nafa 1 practical lesson is $73.95 for 45 minutes

Quite hard to quantify the cost of a piano lesson actually. Have to take into consideration of quality of the teacher, curriculum, and long term progress also. So take for example NAFA, for half a year have to spend $1954, but at the end of the 20 lessons the child would have studied under more specialized teacher and completed the syllabus for grade 1. A typical music school charges approximately $140-$160 for 45 minutes beginner /grade 1 lesson for one month. Typically students at music school will take approximately one and half year to two years before attempting grade 1, that will work out to $2520-3360 to complete grade 1. So in the long run it may actually be more expensive to study at normal music schools. Likewise for theory, specialized grade 5 theory course cost around $40-60 per hour but students may need fewer lessons as compared to cheaper standard ones.

This is why specialized teachers with good track records may actually be worth more than just your normal run-of-the-mill teachers. Sure, fee can be significantly more expensive, but the faster progress and better results may actually translate savings in the long run.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

for theory, specialized grade 5 theory course cost around $40-60 per hour but students may need fewer lessons as compared to cheaper standard ones.

The fees of $185 every 4 lessons is for 2 kids with a music school.
for grade 5 theory. And is an intensive course. or using your term - specialised

So I thought I use that as arbitrary cost for illustration purpose
$95 per child for every 4 lessons


By the way, my kids took 17 hours group lessons (only 2 of them in the class) to prep for grade 5 theory

Dreamaurora:

Quite hard to quantify the cost of a piano lesson actually. Have to take into consideration of quality of the teacher, curriculum, and long term progress also. So take for example NAFA, for half a year have to spend $1954, but at the end of the 20 lessons the child would have studied under more specialized teacher and completed the syllabus for grade 1.

This is why specialized teachers with good track records may actually be worth more than just your normal run-of-the-mill teachers. Sure, fee can be significantly more expensive, but the faster progress and better results may actually translate savings in the long run.

I certainly agreed with the part in red
Not so sure about higher fees equal faster pace though.

Private teacher's fees is reasonable in my opinion, considering she's also a nafa teacher and has the qualification to teach up to diploma. And I suppose dd's current progress is comparable to nafa or thereabout la, beginning to learn grade 8 now, at p3. I'm okay with that although her teacher is not very satisfied with her progress

I think it really depends on the child. If ready to move on to next grade, I suppose there is no reason for any credible teacher to hold the child back :scratchhead:
There are students around dd's age pursuing diploma with her teacher. So my dd is considered quite slack actually

Of course learning from a private teacher and understudying in nafa, the performance exposure is different. There is no master class with big audience. So in that sense, I have to say nafa's exposure is definitely better


Sorry, whoever reading this please do not PM me for teacher's contact. I got ticked off by her piano teacher for giving out her contact number to 2 forumers previously :nailbite:

[kathyh]

May I know the rate of getting your nafa teacher as private one?

[Dreamaurora]

sleepy:

Dreamaurora:

for theory, specialized grade 5 theory course cost around $40-60 per hour but students may need fewer lessons as compared to cheaper standard ones.

The fees of $185 every 4 lessons is for 2 kids with a music school.
for grade 5 theory. And is an intensive course. or using your term - specialised

So I thought I use that as arbitrary cost for illustration purpose
$95 per child for every 4 lessons


By the way, my kids took 17 hours group lessons (only 2 of them in the class) to prep for grade 5 theory

Dreamaurora:

Quite hard to quantify the cost of a piano lesson actually. Have to take into consideration of quality of the teacher, curriculum, and long term progress also. So take for example NAFA, for half a year have to spend $1954, but at the end of the 20 lessons the child would have studied under more specialized teacher and completed the syllabus for grade 1.

This is why specialized teachers with good track records may actually be worth more than just your normal run-of-the-mill teachers. Sure, fee can be significantly more expensive, but the faster progress and better results may actually translate savings in the long run.

I certainly agreed with the part in red
Not so sure about higher fees equal faster pace though.

Private teacher's fees is reasonable in my opinion, considering she's also a nafa teacher and has the qualification to teach up to diploma. And I suppose dd's current progress is comparable to nafa or thereabout la, beginning to learn grade 8 now, at p3. I'm okay with that although her teacher is not very dissatisfied with her progress

I think it really depends on the child. If ready to move on to next grade, I suppose there is no reason for any credible teacher to hold child's back :scratchhead:
There are students around dd's age pursuing diploma with her teacher. So my dd is considered quite slack actually

Of course learning from a private teacher and understudying in nafa, the performance exposure is different. There is no master class with big audience. So in that sense, I have to say nafa's exposure is definitely better


Sorry, whoever reading this please do not PM me for teacher's contact. I got ticked off by her piano teacher for giving out her contact number to 2 forumers previously :nailbite:

Hmm, ok, if a teacher is not satisfied with a p3 student just taking grade 8, than I guess this reflects how grade/diploma chase has become an increasingly disturbing trend in this age that is followed by teachers.

I have to admit I am guilty as well of chasing results and grades for my students in the past. But well, I have mellowed down and have since decided not to publicize my achievements.

Not all students will be equal in capability and achievements, but I believe all students should be given equal respects as long they try their best and appreciate music, whether they take 1 year or half year to go through one grade, whether they score distinction or pass.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

Hmm, ok, if a teacher is not satisfied with a p3 student just taking grade 8, than I guess this reflects how grade/diploma chase has become an increasingly disturbing trend in this age that is followed by teachers.

For illustration again
Say in a class of high ability students, individually each student may be good in their respective school but once gather them together, everyone is equally good, if not better. And any teacher teaching that class probably won't even raise an eyebrow after teaching them day in day out. It becomes no big deal to the teacher after a while, like a norm. Afterall, the comparison teacher had is only within that class.


Get my drift?
So I don't find that disturbing nor think it's representative enough to be a trend. No sweat on that la.


I feel that learning attitude is more important. As I mentioned earlier, my dd is quite slacked and relaxed in her piano practice. Teacher is merely pushing her to help her reach full potential since I am not capable of pushing.
I have zero music background & of course no idea what or where is the full potential

[Dreamaurora]

sleepy:

Dreamaurora:

Hmm, ok, if a teacher is not satisfied with a p3 student just taking grade 8, than I guess this reflects how grade/diploma chase has become an increasingly disturbing trend in this age that is followed by teachers.

For illustration again
Say in a class of high ability students, individually each student may be good in their respective school but once gather them together, everyone is equally good, if not better. And any teacher teaching that class probably won't even raise an eyebrow after teaching them day in day out. It becomes no big deal to the teacher after a while, like a norm. Afterall, the comparison teacher had is only within that class.


Get my drift?
So I don't find that disturbing nor think it's representative enough to be a trend. No sweat on that la.


I feel that learning attitude is more important. As I mentioned earlier, my dd is quite slacked and relaxed in her piano practice. Teacher is merely pushing her to help her reach full potential since I am not capable of pushing.
I have zero music background & of course no idea what or where is the full potential

Fair enough, each teacher has his/her own philosophy and I respect that, whether I agree with it or not. But personally, I do try to be sensitive to my students. Many of them do take quite some time before discovering that passion and establishing a disciplined practice routine; even 30 minutes a day is considered quite a lot by many young kids and many parents are already very pleased if they can get their kids to practice even 15 minutes a day. So, although admittedly I have errr, more than average students in my studio, I really try to avoid comparisons if I can help it.

[waiyean]

sleepy:

waiyean:

Actually on per hour basis, it is one of the cheapest I have seen.

I doubt nafa is one of the cheapest.
$73.95 per 45 mintues lesson is definitely on the high side for grade 1 in my opinion

Grade 1 in nafa
45 minutes practical & 60 minutes theory
(theory group size is big, definitely more than 10 in a group during dd2's time)
20 practical, 20 group theory S$1954.04


Arbitrary cost for theory:
I paid $185 for every 4 lessons of grade 5 theory lesson for 2 kids (don't know what's the price for grade 1) with a music school
1 hour. class size of 2.
So assume each child is $95 for 4 lessons, theory is $475 for 20 lessons


$1954 - (arbitrary cost for) theory $475 = 1479 for 20 practical lessons
nafa 1 practical lesson is $73.95 for 45 minutes

Hi sleepy,
Guess you were fortunate to have 2 kids share the cost for the theory lessons. Otherwise, if you double the cost component of theory, and the effective cost of practical lessons in NAFA goes to about $40+ per hour. Add on that NAFA fees are for 6 months, and generally teachers do have extra lessons in school holidays, plus another 3 masterclasses taught by a fabulous teacher, I would think that it is relatively low cost.

My daughter attended 2 other schools, and they cost about 50% more than NAFA.

[sleepy]

waiyean:

sleepy:

[quote=\"waiyean\"]Actually on per hour basis, it is one of the cheapest I have seen.

I doubt nafa is one of the cheapest.
$73.95 per 45 mintues lesson is definitely on the high side for grade 1 in my opinion

Grade 1 in nafa
45 minutes practical & 60 minutes theory
(theory group size is big, definitely more than 10 in a group during dd2's time)
20 practical, 20 group theory S$1954.04


Arbitrary cost for theory:
I paid $185 for every 4 lessons of grade 5 theory lesson for 2 kids (don't know what's the price for grade 1) with a music school
1 hour. class size of 2.
So assume each child is $95 for 4 lessons, theory is $475 for 20 lessons


$1954 - (arbitrary cost for) theory $475 = 1479 for 20 practical lessons
nafa 1 practical lesson is $73.95 for 45 minutes

Hi sleepy,
Guess you were fortunate to have 2 kids share the cost for the theory lessons. Otherwise, if you double the cost component of theory, and the effective cost of practical lessons in NAFA goes to about $40+ per hour. Add on that NAFA fees are for 6 months, and generally teachers do have extra lessons in school holidays, plus another 3 masterclasses taught by a fabulous teacher, I would think that it is relatively low cost.[/quote] :scratchhead: not sure I get you. Music school can start a group as long as there is min 2 students. Or individual will be 30 minutes.

By the way, I'm comparing grade 5 theory class size of 2 in a music school versus grade 1 theory class size > 10 in nafa. Hence, I've already awarded a premium to nafa for its branding in this arbitrary theory cost illustration. Otherwise nafa theory cost will be worth even less.

And there is no need to double 'the cost component of theory' otherwise we are talking about 1 to 1 theory class which is even further from the large group size in nafa, no?

Don't worry, so long parents felt that the premium being paid is justifiable and willing to pay for its branding, that is absolutely fine. Like I mention earlier, nafa is a good school because of its performance exposure

I'm merely disputing the statement that nafa is one of the cheapest.
It is clearly not, in my opinion.

waiyean:

My daughter attended 2 other schools, and they cost about 50% more than NAFA.

:yikes:


I can easily replicate nafa's standard with a private nafa teacher and a 1 to 1 theory class (definitely beats a large group) at any music school, at a lower cost but of comparable quality.

However, I can't replicate the master class and the status of being a young talent in nafa :evil: So the difference in cost is the premium and value parents perceived nafa's branding to be worth