All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[sleepy]

sunflower2005:

Sleepy

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

She is the 'struggling' kind la :skeptical: I'm not sure she can be ready for exam next year.

Noticed her interest in piano diminishing yet she's too stubborn to give up so still hanging on. I think she's more interested in academic than practising piano. Actually I don't mind her stopping temporarily if too demanding on her rest time.
I persuaded dd1 to kiv her cello for the same reason, more rest time and less exam pressure. That extra rest time rears positive outcome on her school results this year

[metz]

sleepy:

metz:

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 3 quarters done with the exam pieces and scales. The aim to complete all three pieces and scales by Dec. 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.

Definitely more than 2 hours a day on practices alone.

Yes I agreed. Hard work is a must.

Her music teacher set the target for her to complete 2 exam pieces by Dec. Don't think she can make it. Now all half baked.

Both my kids are not great with time management le. Been drilling them time management for years. Between two of them, dd2 is the more hardworking one.
In kindergarten, dd2 practised 3 hours daily. By lower primary, 1 to 1.5 hour 4 to 5 times a week. By p3, 30 to 45 minutes 3 times a week :slapshead:

Thus she only managed a merit for grade 5 exam with this kind of lame 30 to 45 minutes practice and failed her aural. Did reasonably well for scales and exam pieces though so still managed to squeeze out a merit. I feel that her interest and focus is shifted to academic rather than music once in p3. She much happier reading than playing piano :scratchhead:

My son is the exact opposite of your dd2. He spent very little time on music when he was younger. He would always be flipping his book once my back was turned. Things only started to improve when he was in P3 while we were in France. Instead of dictating what pieces he should work on, our French teacher allowed him to choose instead. He chose Pathetique mvmt 1. That piece proved to be too hard on his hands after 3 stanzas. His hand span wasn't big enough to reach some octaves. So, he settled for Quasi una fantasia mvmt 1. When we returned to Sg, his teacher gave him the same freedom too and he completed Quasi una fantasia mvmts 2 & 3 under her. That was what sparked his interest to work hard. He gets to learn the pieces he enjoys.

But my daughter is a little like your dd2. She used to be 'auto' when she was 4 years old. She would dutifully go to the piano and practise her pieces without having me to tell her to. But after we moved to France (they had a seven months break), her interest seemed to have wanned. Not as industrious and focused as before. After we returned to Sg, she was slightly better. But this year, I would say she seems to have mature more. She gets to play the harder pieces that her brother used to work on. I think that's what motivates her to put in more effort.

PS: I don't think both my kids are happier when they are working hard at their instruments. Not exactly something enjoyable when you have to work at the same thing until perfection. But it's the ability to peform the entire piece well that gives them joy.

[sleepy]

metz:

[PS: I don't think both my kids are happier when they are working hard at their instruments. Not exactly something enjoyable when you have to work at the same thing until perfection. But it's the ability to peform the entire piece well that gives them joy.

I doubt my dd2 feels this way, probably that's why now practising piano is more like a chore to her. Haiz.
We suggested she takes a break from learning for exam and just play her favourite ABBA pieces for leisure. But she is the type who wants to complete something she started. So she refuses.

My stand is actually quite simple. Music can learn anytime so long child has the aptitude. If end up interfering with rest time and become a source of stress rather than helping to de-stress, then I have to consider kiv till she's are better with her time management.

[Imami]

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.

Oh yes yes! I don't expect my kid to be as good as waiyean's or anyone else for that matter. He can take his own time to learn. I am fine with that.

[Imami]

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.

Just curious, are these parents with musical background or something? This question comes about because as a parent, I take cue from the teacher. This is especially so since I don't know how to play piano. How would I know how well or how poorly my kid is doing right? So if the parents can form an opinion, they must know something. Having said that, I personally feel that parents should take into consideration the teacher's opinion.

Is there any disadvantage to go slower? Other than having to pay more fees in the long run? Other than aiming to complete a certain grade before pose year?

[Imami]

waiyean:

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.

Nope, it's different. Losing makes him feel left out or upset but tit doesn't spur him on to do better. This little guy needs to see why he needs to do well before he would work hard.

I am different from him. Losing will push me to work harder. Like wise for dh. This little guy is alien!

[metz]

sleepy:

metz:

[PS: I don't think both my kids are happier when they are working hard at their instruments. Not exactly something enjoyable when you have to work at the same thing until perfection. But it's the ability to peform the entire piece well that gives them joy.

I doubt my dd2 feels this way, probably that's why now practising piano is more like a chore to her. Haiz.
We suggested she takes a break from learning for exam and just play her favourite ABBA pieces for leisure. But she is the type who wants to complete something she started. So she refuses.
I will have to monitor how she's coping in gep next year before deciding if I should insist.

One option would be to allow her to continue with the lessons and sit for exam when she's ready.

Another option is to stop the lessons and take a break if she is not putting in effort or doesn't have the time. I took such extreme actions on both my kids when I saw them not putting time and effort in practising violin. Might sound harsh but I see positive outcome. When we allowed them to start violin lessons again, they are definitely more serious.

[sleepy]

metz:

One option would be to allow her to continue with the lessons and sit for exam when she's ready.


Another option is to stop the lessons and take a break if she is not putting in effort or doesn't have the time. I took such extreme actions on both my kids when I saw them not putting time and effort in practising violin. Might sound harsh but I see positive outcome. When we allowed them to start violin lessons again, they are definitely more serious.

Actually I prefer to stop lesson totally. No point attending lesson once a week and not practising much over the week. Won't have any improvement.

I persuaded my elder girl to kiv her cello at end of last year. Can see that she's really tired from school workload. At bedtime, she's still worrying about skipping her cello practice the entire week because too much homework & project deadline, no time to practise that week. That happened so frequently. From weekly lesson become bi-weekly, become once a month because there's really no spare time. We are lucky teacher is very accommodating.

Although she insisted there's no stress in learning cello, I feel that it is weighing her down, like something unfinished at the back of her mind. So I decided, forget about music, I rather she sleeps earlier to recharge. She feels so 可惜 to stop at grade 7 at that time.

However, that decision of mine indeed took some weight off her shoulders (with hindsight) and even improved her performance in school. And honestly speaking, I'm way happier that she gets first in class than gets a distinction in music. Keke, very practical mama yo :evil:

[fifiyeo]

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.

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

Sunflower, mine is just going to start out at P3 and soon will be P4!!! :scared:

[fifiyeo]

Ok, I think I need to slowly let DS know that he might need to lower his expectations. He has always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument which we have put off until now. He seems to think that he’ll do well but I think it won’t be easy taking exams and all, so he might be disappointed.