All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[metz]

Imami:

See waiyean, I am not alone. Your dd would have been a role model for many parents and kids!

On this, parents must be realistic on what they and their kids would like to achieve and the amount of money, time and effort they (assuming the child is musically inclined) can afford to invest to achieve similar results.

[Dreamaurora]

Imami:

See waiyean, I am not alone. Your dd would have been a role model for many parents and kids!


Mine is not competitive in nature. He doesn't like losing out but he has to see relevance before he would put in effort. He must know why he needs to put in extra effort and how this effort would translate into something worthy in his eyes. So erm, u see why exams are Not really in my plan?

So just curious, has your dd been churning out distinctions for each exam?

I do agree with u on your views of the competency - little point passing the exam when another half year's work would translate into disctinction. Maybe i don't see the urgency or necessity, there is no hurry chasing after the gradings right?

Yeah, but there are factors that normally compel parents to ask if their kids can progress faster.

If parents engage a teacher who is very good and charge a premium, they will rightly expect the child to progress faster because of the better instruction.

If child express interest to achieve professional or semi-professional standard in playing, then need to progress faster during younger age.

I do agree that there is little point in sending kids for exams if they have little chance of scoring distinctions. But if the kid wants to take the exam against my better judgement, normally I will oblige as long he/she is realistic of what he/she can achieve in exam.

[Dreamaurora]

metz:

Imami:

See waiyean, I am not alone. Your dd would have been a role model for many parents and kids!

On this, parents must be realistic on what they and their kids would like to achieve and the amount of money, time and effort they (assuming the child is musically inclined) can afford to invest to achieve similar results.

Yes, correct. I had the unfortunate situation to deal with parents who erroneously believe their kids can achieve distinction results (because the kids scored distinctions for the lower grades) for higher grades despite lack of practice and discipline (30 minutes practice on half of the weekdays not enough!!!). I think these parents still blame me for lousy planning and instructions.

That's why nowadays I spell out my requirements clearly to the students and parents on what is expected to prepare for the exam. And I think so far the result has been much more consistent.

[waiyean]

metz:

Grade 8 by P6 would be considered slow for her progress. My bet would be at least grade 8 by P3 and diploma by P5/P6.

Wah wah wah.... better don't let my girl read all this

All these uncles and aunties giving her lots of stress!

Imami:

Mine is not competitive in nature. He doesn't like losing out but he has to see relevance before he would put in effort.

Doesn't like losing means he is competitive right? Haha, I think they \"inherit\" these traits from us parents, that's why we are on KSP.

Imami:

I do agree with u on your views of the competency - little point passing the exam when another half year's work would translate into disctinction. Maybe i don't see the urgency or necessity, there is no hurry chasing after the gradings right?

Yes, I don't see the point in trying to finish up grade 8 before any targeted year. The quality of performance is more important than the speed in which those gradings are achieved. However, different parents have different agenda for their children, and there are various reasons why they are learning music. Hence, it cannot be a one-broom-sweep-all opinion.

[metz]

waiyean:

metz:

Grade 8 by P6 would be considered slow for her progress. My bet would be at least grade 8 by P3 and diploma by P5/P6.

Wah wah wah.... better don't let my girl read all this

All these uncles and aunties giving her lots of stress!

Not stressing you and your dd. But just stating a fact.

PS: But do go easy on her and yourself at times. It's not gonna be an easy journey (involving hours of practices for higher grades).

[sleepy]

metz:

waiyean:

[quote=\"metz\"]Grade 8 by P6 would be considered slow for her progress. My bet would be at least grade 8 by P3 and diploma by P5/P6.

Wah wah wah.... better don't let my girl read all this

All these uncles and aunties giving her lots of stress!

Not stressing you and your dd. But just stating a fact.

PS: But do go easy on her and yourself at times. It's not gonna be an easy journey (involving hours of practices for higher grades).[/quote]There will be distractions and other priorities by the time child reach p4 or upper primary. My dd1 had to kiv her cello in p5 at my insistence. I'm not even sure my dd2 can complete grade 8 piano next year. They are not so great with time management. And so many school projects in gep :faint: I admire kids who can manage school work and still have time for 2 hours practice daily. No matter how I stare at their schedule, I can't find 2 hours in their slot for daily practice.

[sunflower2005]

waiyean :

Do u plan any exam for her next year ? grade 5 for next year ?

[metz]

Dreamaurora:

Yes, correct. I had the unfortunate situation to deal with parents who erroneously believe their kids can achieve distinction results (because the kids scored distinctions for the lower grades) for higher grades despite lack of practice and discipline (30 minutes practice on half of the weekdays not enough!!!). I think these parents still blame me for lousy planning and instructions.

That's why nowadays I spell out my requirements clearly to the students and parents on what is expected to prepare for the exam. And I think so far the result has been much more consistent.

That is really an unfortunate situation for you. As a parent, I am always realistic on how much effort and time my kids and I can afford to commit. Before we embark on this exam journey, I spoke to my son about the commitment and sacrifices he has to make; the teacher also talked to him about the requirements and effort she would be expecting from him. It was only with his consent and willingness to commit that we work towards the grade 8 exam. He understands fully how well he fares in the exam will depend on his willingness to work hard.

[sunflower2005]

There will be distractions and other priorities by the time child reach p4 or upper primary. My dd1 had to kiv her cello in p5 at my insistence. I'm not even sure my dd2 can complete grade 8 piano next year. They are not so great with time management. And so many school projects in gep :faint: I admire kids who can manage school work and still have time for 2 hours practice daily. No matter how I stare at their schedule, I can't find 2 hours in their slot for daily practice.[/quote]


Sleepy
yours DD2 only P3 rite ? P3 at Grade 8!!! why so many talented in kiasuparent !!!...

[metz]

sleepy:

There will be distractions and other priorities by the time child reach p4 or upper primary. My dd1 had to kiv her cello in p5. I'm not even sure my dd2 can complete grade 8 next year. They are not so great with time management. And so many school projects in gep :faint: I admire kids who can manage school work and still have time for 2 hours practice daily. No matter how I stare at their schedule, I can't find 2 hours in their slot for daily practice.

It all boils down to time management, discipline and how far the child is willing to push himself/herself.

My P4 son is preparing for piano grade 8 exam next Sep. He's more than three quarters done with the exam pieces and scales. The aim is to complete all three pieces (by Dec) and scales (by Feb) and allow him time to explore more pieces next year. This was one of the requirements his teachers laid down when we decided to go for the exam.

At the same time, he's working on grade 6/7 violin pieces too. (I didn't know this until another violin teacher pointed out the abrsm level he was working on.)

Definitely more than 2 hours a day on practices alone.