All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Imami]

waiyean:

Imami:

Just curious if is there such service - service provider who would rent out grand piano, deliver it to the location and then collect back from location? If yes, how much roughly (eg in terms of $400-500 or $500-1000)?

Renner Piano provide piano rental services.

Thank you! Let me go and check it out!

[phankao]

Imami:

metz:

The original version? My idea of 'short' is so different from yours :p. Can try. But if you can find a simplified version of the song, definitely possible.

Ok, so 月亮 is too difficult. Actually when I posted the qn \"can play a decent but short\", I have no idea what except that I don't think twinkle is good enough. It was only this afternoon, that I started to wonder,\"hey, if he can do 月亮， wah, it would be great!\" but you know la, I have no music background, I donno how to gauge. I may not realize that I am asking for the sky.

Prior to him starting his lessons, I have never thought he would be able to play simple songs like Mary had a little lamb within half a year. So with violin, I decide to be bold and dream bigger.

Grade 1 pieces doable in a year, I think?

Grade 1 pieces should be do-able by one year?

Does learning piano help in learning violin in any way? Cos if the answer is no, then I need to scale back my target even more.

You had me backtrack to what my little boy was doing after 1 year of lessons. I searched my old videos. He was doing Bach Minuets in Suzuki Book 1. My older boy different - he started at an older age. I think he was already halfway in Suzuki book 2 after a year.

But like I said. Short daily practices. Sure can do one!

[metz]

Imami:

metz:

The original version? My idea of 'short' is so different from yours :p. Can try. But if you can find a simplified version of the song, definitely possible.

Ok, so 月亮 is too difficult. Actually when I posted the qn \"can play a decent but short\", I have no idea what except that I don't think twinkle is good enough. It was only this afternoon, that I started to wonder,\"hey, if he can do 月亮， wah, it would be great!\" but you know la, I have no music background, I donno how to gauge. I may not realize that I am asking for the sky.

Prior to him starting his lessons, I have never thought he would be able to play simple songs like Mary had a little lamb within half a year. So with violin, I decide to be bold and dream bigger.

Grade 1 pieces should be do-able by one year?

Does learning piano help in learning violin in any way? Cos if the answer is no, then I need to scale back my target even more.

Dear Imami,

:imsorry: that my words may have come across as sarcastic. But really, no sarcasm intended, ok? Just stating nothing but the reality. Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars may look easy on the piano but to play this 'simple' piece well on the violin is no easy feat. 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars' and its variations were the first few pieces that my children learned when they started on violin lessons. Think my son took about 3 to 4 months to play them to his teacher's satisfaction (their teacher used to be the VP of the former Singapore Suzuki Association). Some preschoolers in group classes, I heard, spent about 9 months on them.

Between the two, I find piano an easier instrument to start off with. The keys are fixed; a beginner just needs to play the correct keys and melody will just flow. For violin, there's a lot more than that. Just keeping the bow straight (and not swiping left right) while playing is already not an easy task. Finger positions are very important too. Any slight displacement on the finger position will lead to a change in pitch. You will understand what I mean after the trial lesson.

I don't think your dream for your son to learn '月亮' within a year is impossible. Just that a lot of practice will be required. But you mentioned he has little time for practices. Given that constraint, I would think a simplified version may be easier to achieve. But ultimately, it's your call. (Btw, the simplified version may not really be \"simple\" too.)

Last year, my son started off with a piece from abrsm grade 1. Mostly crotchets. So, I believe, with practice, grade 1 or 2 should be doable for your ds. You might also want to consider pieces from Suzuki. Is the event your son preparing for a wedding? You can consider pieces like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BlotP9pSc. For more complex and challenging ones, try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHq__TJMFI4 from Suzuki Book 2.

PS : Pieces from Book 1 definitely achievable within 1 year without being too hardworking. But Book 2, got to put in more effort.

[phankao]

Metz, I didn’t find it sarcastic?


Yue Liang is possible for a not-so-beginner. It’s only more difficult if you insist that the child plays many notes to a bow. So yeah, a beginner can play the tune, just that it may not sound so legato without the slurs.

[metz]

phankao:

Metz, I didn't find it sarcastic?

Thanks, Phankao.

phankao:

Yue Liang is possible for a not-so-beginner. It's only more difficult if you insist that the child plays many notes to a bow. So yeah, a beginner can play the tune, just that it may not sound so legato without the slurs

That's why I suggested a simplified version.


PS: I think Imami meant for her son to perform the song, not just learning for leisure.

[waiyean]

Imami:

Does learning piano help in learning violin in any way? Cos if the answer is no, then I need to scale back my target even more.

I think it does, but only when the theory part is done. It is easier to understand theory on a piano. However I think it is quite tough to find sufficient time to practice on 2 instruments, especially when starting out around the same time.

For my daughter, piano is the main instrument. Violin is just for fun, no exams, and is more to build up an appreciation for another instrument. Her violin teacher did comment on her fast learning speed, possibly because of her knowing piano, but we chose to take it easy and not set any targets.

Imami, you sounded like you are arranging some \"performances\" in a year's time? Sourcing for grand piano, choosing repertoire, with a definite timeframe, etc...

[Imami]

phankao:

You had me backtrack to what my little boy was doing after 1 year of lessons. I searched my old videos. He was doing Bach Minuets in Suzuki Book 1. My older boy different - he started at an older age. I think he was already halfway in Suzuki book 2 after a year.

But like I said. Short daily practices. Sure can do one!

brought back lovely memories?

I am preparing for next week when I see the violin teacher. Unlike most, we sort of have \"an agenda\". Our aim is to be able to have my child perform a reasonable piece (reasonable to his level but at the same time provide some entertainment value). The last thing I want to have the teacher think that I am unrealistic and/or unreasonable. So all you folks' comments and advices help!

[Imami]

metz:

phankao:

Metz, I didn't find it sarcastic?

Thanks, Phankao.

phankao:

Yue Liang is possible for a not-so-beginner. It's only more difficult if you insist that the child plays many notes to a bow. So yeah, a beginner can play the tune, just that it may not sound so legato without the slurs

That's why I suggested a simplified version.


PS: I think Imami meant for her son to perform the song, not just learning for leisure.

Yes Metz, I am helping my son to perform in one years's time. I do not know his take but I do not have the intention to let my son do two instruments.

It's quite against the odd actually. But I will try my best as a parent.

You see, 事情是这样的 .....

Last Friday was my son's childcare center's concert. He had a part in one group dance and played a lead role in one of the two dramas. This year's performance was great, thanks to the teacher's effort. The audience was very generous in their applause. Personally I thought my son did well and I told him so.

Now, something most people dont know about my son. He has never been keen to do grading exam (not just piano. Aikido and chess too) and never wants to compete in tournaments (eg tennis and chess). It's not that he's not good. In fact, he must be good enough, if not the teachers wouldn't have selected him for competitions, would they? I will skip the underlying reasons but uh.... No, it's not simply poor self esteemed.

I showed him his performance and photos of the audience clapping. He quietly told me,\" mummy, I want to perform on the stage during my (k2) graduation concert. Alone. Piano.\"

I was very happy to hear that from my little hermit. Ah.... The magic of applause.... My response was,\"wow, that's wonderful! But er.... How to bring the piano to the auditorium??? (this is a very real problem)\".

Now he gave me a solution and a new problem,\"piano too big and heavy, then violin lor. Violin small... I can carry myself.\" :stupid: :slapshead: :frustrated:

As a parent, I feel that I should support him. As long as there is one percent of making it happen, we shd help him. If it fails eventually, all is not lost. We all can take the failure as a learning experience and after all, he gets to learn violin.

In any case, he is looking forward to his violin lesson next Friday. We would see how it goes....

[Imami]

waiyean:

Imami, you sounded like you are arranging some \"performances\" in a year's time? Sourcing for grand piano, choosing repertoire, with a definite timeframe, etc...

yes yes, seems like one! But no la. I just shed the light to my various questions in my above post.

[Imami]

Metz :snuggles: no offense taken, no need to apologize. I have been reading your posts since the \"chamonix\" days. It was a tongue in cheek response. Regarding your earlier comments, i need some time to digest.