All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[fifiyeo]

Dreamaurora:

fifiyeo:

Is ABRSM the only exams? Grade 2 or 3 difficult to pass?
Sorry I am new to piano exams. Piano teacher wants to put DS in for exams next Mar.

For Singapore there are also Trinity, LCM, ANZCA, Rockschool, and Yamaha's own graded exam system.

ABRSM exams are not difficult to pass as long the teacher is prudent in ensuring that the requirements are completed early.

So which is the best exam to take? Seems like ABRSM is the most common one?? I have no clue which exam teacher is looking at for my DS. She seems confident that DS will be competent and do well.

[Dreamaurora]

fifiyeo:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"fifiyeo\"]

Is ABRSM the only exams? Grade 2 or 3 difficult to pass?
Sorry I am new to piano exams. Piano teacher wants to put DS in for exams next Mar.

For Singapore there are also Trinity, LCM, ANZCA, Rockschool, and Yamaha's own graded exam system.

ABRSM exams are not difficult to pass as long the teacher is prudent in ensuring that the requirements are completed early.

So which is the best exam to take? Seems like ABRSM is the most common one?? I have no clue which exam teacher is looking at for my DS. She seems confident that DS will be competent and do well.[/quote]Well, the teacher should be able to develop the student to be well-rounded whether an exam is taken or not. So yes, whether an exam is taken or not, a teacher should still be responsible to ensure a student is well developed in technique, repertoire, aural, and sight reading.

Personally I feel there is no such thing such as a best exam. IMO a primary consideration in choosing an exam to take is the selection of pieces available. But if the child plans to use the certs in the academic study e.g. DSA, MEP, etc, then perhaps ABRSM is still the most recognized one around.

[fifiyeo]

Yes, I suppose the teacher will know best what to put DS in for. It’ll be DS’s first exam a year from now.

[Dreamaurora]

fifiyeo:

Yes, I suppose the teacher will know best what to put DS in for. It'll be DS's first exam a year from now.

Most teachers are actually quite open to the idea of trying out another exams as long as they are not under a music school, but in general most teachers will stick to the syllabus they are more familiar with, which in Singapore ABRSM is the most common one.

You could print out the syllabi I mentioned above and bring to the teacher to see if your DS could have more options.

[amk]

Hi Teachers/Parents,


I would like to seek some advice on my girl.
She started Yamaha JMC 4 years ago and going to finish JXC this month, after Yamaha Grade 9 exam.
She also started private lesson a year ago with this eacher (at teacher’s house, 45min a week) to go for ABRSM and sitting for Grade 1 exam later this month.
She went for Grade 1 theory last Oct and scored 96.
This teacher plans her to go for 1 grade every year, both theory and practical.
My girl enjoy music very much and likes to sing. IMO, she sings pretty well.
She also likes to learn those songs, outside exam pieces.
I asked this teacher to teach some extra songs, but she refused saying she has no time as she need to teach theory as well.
But, teacher started to teach grade 2 songs a couple of months back as my girl is ready for those grade 1 pieces.
Btw, my girl is those type who can’t stand still for more than 5 mins and talks non-stop.
She learnt those extra songs herself (you tube) and could play “ River flows in you” “Fur Elise”
And, now she is learning Katy Perry’s “Roar”.

Here are my concerns,
-\tIs it too slow for her to plan 1 grade a year? I would like to skip some grades.
-\tIs every theory exam necessary? I read somewhere that only grade 5 is necessary. Teacher said can’t skip as she fears my girl can’t cope when goes higher.

[Dreamaurora]

amk:

Hi Teachers/Parents,


I would like to seek some advice on my girl.
She started Yamaha JMC 4 years ago and going to finish JXC this month, after Yamaha Grade 9 exam.
She also started private lesson a year ago with this eacher (at teacher’s house, 45min a week) to go for ABRSM and sitting for Grade 1 exam later this month.
She went for Grade 1 theory last Oct and scored 96.
This teacher plans her to go for 1 grade every year, both theory and practical.
My girl enjoy music very much and likes to sing. IMO, she sings pretty well.
She also likes to learn those songs, outside exam pieces.
I asked this teacher to teach some extra songs, but she refused saying she has no time as she need to teach theory as well.
But, teacher started to teach grade 2 songs a couple of months back as my girl is ready for those grade 1 pieces.
Btw, my girl is those type who can’t stand still for more than 5 mins and talks non-stop.
She learnt those extra songs herself (you tube) and could play “ River flows in you” “Fur Elise”
And, now she is learning Katy Perry’s “Roar”.

Here are my concerns,
-\tIs it too slow for her to plan 1 grade a year? I would like to skip some grades.
-\tIs every theory exam necessary? I read somewhere that only grade 5 is necessary. Teacher said can’t skip as she fears my girl can’t cope when goes higher.

The teacher is probably one of those older generation traditional teachers who went through similar 1 ABRSM grade per year route. In the past, there is not much options for exams and repertoire, thus a lot of teachers teach using only ABRSM syllabus as it provides a systematic approach to build students' foundations. Nowadays though, we have a lot more options (Trinity, LCM, ANZCA, Rockshool, etc) and scores are easily available at bookshops and online.

There is really nothing wrong with following 1 ABRSM grade per year for practical and theory (although the exams themselves are optional), but of course if your DD is willing to put in more effort than required, an accelerated progress may be considered. It's quite common for very motivated students to progress an average of 2 grades per year, though I must stress that this requires a combination of technically skilled teacher, high degree of self-discipline from the students, and assistance from parents. Fast progressions should never be at the cost of weak foundations or worse, causing distress for the students.

45 minutes lesson is very tight to go through pieces, theory, and other things like sight-reading and technique. So my suggestion would be to ask if the lesson can be extended to accommodate non-exam songs (of course must pay more lar), or the teacher can go through only non-exam songs every 2 or 3 lessons.

No, it is not necessary to attempt either practical or theory exam for every grade. In fact, one need not even attempt any exam at all to learn music. But I do still suggest selected grades are taken as important milestones. Grade 5 theory is necessary to attempt grade 6-8 ABRSM practical (Trinity does not require it), but it is by no means sufficient to allow students to interpret higher level music successfully. I still encourage my students to attempt grade 8 theory is time allows.

[fifiyeo]

I agree with Dreamaurora that if the child has the discipline and interest to push, an accelerated progress can be managed. This really depends on the child more than anyone else. Teacher and parents are just helping tools for them to move along.

[Angie2012]

Hi, I’m new here. I am currently looking for a piano teacher for my DS as he is finishing his 4yr Yamaha course very soon. Any good recommendations?


My preference is for the teacher to come to my house.

Thanks in advance for those who are willling to share.

[amk]

Thank you, Dreamaurora.

I have been reading your posts.
You are a great teacher. :udaman:
I would definitely send my girl to your class if you are nearer.
Too bad.... it way toooo far. :sad:

Thanks to fifiyeo too.

Dreamaurora:

amk:

Hi Teachers/Parents,

I would like to seek some advice on my girl.
She started Yamaha JMC 4 years ago and going to finish JXC this month, after Yamaha Grade 9 exam.
She also started private lesson a year ago with this eacher (at teacher’s house, 45min a week) to go for ABRSM and sitting for Grade 1 exam later this month.
She went for Grade 1 theory last Oct and scored 96.
This teacher plans her to go for 1 grade every year, both theory and practical.
My girl enjoy music very much and likes to sing. IMO, she sings pretty well.
She also likes to learn those songs, outside exam pieces.
I asked this teacher to teach some extra songs, but she refused saying she has no time as she need to teach theory as well.
But, teacher started to teach grade 2 songs a couple of months back as my girl is ready for those grade 1 pieces.
Btw, my girl is those type who can’t stand still for more than 5 mins and talks non-stop.
She learnt those extra songs herself (you tube) and could play “ River flows in you” “Fur Elise”
And, now she is learning Katy Perry’s “Roar”.

Here are my concerns,
-\tIs it too slow for her to plan 1 grade a year? I would like to skip some grades.
-\tIs every theory exam necessary? I read somewhere that only grade 5 is necessary. Teacher said can’t skip as she fears my girl can’t cope when goes higher.

The teacher is probably one of those older generation traditional teachers who went through similar 1 ABRSM grade per year route. In the past, there is not much options for exams and repertoire, thus a lot of teachers teach using only ABRSM syllabus as it provides a systematic approach to build students' foundations. Nowadays though, we have a lot more options (Trinity, LCM, ANZCA, Rockshool, etc) and scores are easily available at bookshops and online.

There is really nothing wrong with following 1 ABRSM grade per year for practical and theory (although the exams themselves are optional), but of course if your DD is willing to put in more effort than required, an accelerated progress may be considered. It's quite common for very motivated students to progress an average of 2 grades per year, though I must stress that this requires a combination of technically skilled teacher, high degree of self-discipline from the students, and assistance from parents. Fast progressions should never be at the cost of weak foundations or worse, causing distress for the students.

45 minutes lesson is very tight to go through pieces, theory, and other things like sight-reading and technique. So my suggestion would be to ask if the lesson can be extended to accommodate non-exam songs (of course must pay more lar), or the teacher can go through only non-exam songs every 2 or 3 lessons.

No, it is not necessary to attempt either practical or theory exam for every grade. In fact, one need not even attempt any exam at all to learn music. But I do still suggest selected grades are taken as important milestones. Grade 5 theory is necessary to attempt grade 6-8 ABRSM practical (Trinity does not require it), but it is by no means sufficient to allow students to interpret higher level music successfully. I still encourage my students to attempt grade 8 theory is time allows.

[fifiyeo]

amk, good luck to your daughter for her exams. I'm sure she'll do well! :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah: