All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

Porky Pig:

My fren's daughter sat for her Grade 3 exam recently. She just managed to pass (borderline). Does this mean that she is (1) not serious enough, (2) didn't prepare thoroughly, (3) not talented in piano, (4) too distracted with school work and other tuition stuff. My fren has been scratching her head for an answer so that she will do better the next round.

Could be any of the reason above, though I have to say that (3) is inconsequential in achieving a decent mark. ABRSM exams are designed in such a way to reward security and fluency achieved by thorough preparation and planning. So even if a student is not very musical, if he/she is thorough in ensuring a well-rounded preparation and secure program, a good merit is definitely very possible. Though distinction at higher grades do need that something extra from the students.

If the daughter is disciplined and consistent with practice, then perhaps the teacher's competence is questionable. One other possible reasons could be also inability to handle nerves.

[waiyean]

engp9337:

Grades 1 - 3 no much difference, can pick anyone to aim for exam. Go thru one by one is really waste of time, which will not help keep interest but kill interest

Hmmm... Between grade 1 and 3, there are significant differences, not only in the pieces, but in the scales requirements and aural components too. Also depends on age of child... Broken chords are okay for young child, but arpeggios a bit difficult to stretch. Also, i guess the examiner will expect differently in term of tones and dynamics between grade 1 vs 3 right?

[fifiyeo]

Dreamaurora:

engp9337:

Grades 1 - 3 no much difference, can pick anyone to aim for exam. Go thru one by one is really waste of time, which will not help keep interest but kill interest

I am very surprised that you said that, definitely there is a significant enough difference between each of them that ABRSM recommend one year gap between them. The progress between the grades can be accelerated definitely with more quality practice time and better instructions, but whatever is covered in each grade definitely can't be skipped. The exams are absolutely optional though and I do agree with you going through them one by one is absolutely counterproductive to keeping interest.

The problem is since some parents (and teachers) think this way, they tend to sign up the kids for grade 3 prematurely without ensuring sufficient repertoire to be learned for the lower grades and the technique to be developed properly.

I think there should be some difference between grades 1 -3. Perhaps not as huge as the higher grades. I do agree that holding the kids back to do every single exams might be a waste of time and interest killer. DS is very unhappy playing his 'baby stuff' maybe because many of his friends in school are at least grade 5 and up. I think maybe this is a push factor for him.

[Dreamaurora]

fifiyeo:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"engp9337\"]Grades 1 - 3 no much difference, can pick anyone to aim for exam. Go thru one by one is really waste of time, which will not help keep interest but kill interest

I am very surprised that you said that, definitely there is a significant enough difference between each of them that ABRSM recommend one year gap between them. The progress between the grades can be accelerated definitely with more quality practice time and better instructions, but whatever is covered in each grade definitely can't be skipped. The exams are absolutely optional though and I do agree with you going through them one by one is absolutely counterproductive to keeping interest.

The problem is since some parents (and teachers) think this way, they tend to sign up the kids for grade 3 prematurely without ensuring sufficient repertoire to be learned for the lower grades and the technique to be developed properly.

I think there should be some difference between grades 1 -3. Perhaps not as huge as the higher grades. I do agree that holding the kids back to do every single exams might be a waste of time and interest killer. DS is very unhappy playing his 'baby stuff' maybe because many of his friends in school are at least grade 5 and up. I think maybe this is a push factor for him.[/quote]Personally I think playing a lower grade piece extremely well can be extremely satisfying as well, more so than doing a hack job of a more difficult piece.

Anyway, healthy competition can be a powerful motivator. One of my current students felt exactly like your DS who felt underwhelmed because the rest of the classmates were grade 5 and up, and he pushed himself to take grade 5 exam within one year under me after immediately passing his grade 1 (and managed to accomplish it). And since I was quite particular in ensuring stuff for each grade were not skipped, you can imagine the amount of work he put in.

Now obviously this is an exception case and I always caution parents that it is always more prudent to be on the safe side and take things slow especially if the kids are not the competitive type. But if the students themselves are willing to go under the pressure, then I should not limit them.

[fifiyeo]

Dreamaurora:

fifiyeo:

[quote=\"Dreamaurora] I am very surprised that you said that, definitely there is a significant enough difference between each of them that ABRSM recommend one year gap between them. The progress between the grades can be accelerated definitely with more quality practice time and better instructions, but whatever is covered in each grade definitely can't be skipped. The exams are absolutely optional though and I do agree with you going through them one by one is absolutely counterproductive to keeping interest.


The problem is since some parents (and teachers) think this way, they tend to sign up the kids for grade 3 prematurely without ensuring sufficient repertoire to be learned for the lower grades and the technique to be developed properly.

I think there should be some difference between grades 1 -3. Perhaps not as huge as the higher grades. I do agree that holding the kids back to do every single exams might be a waste of time and interest killer. DS is very unhappy playing his 'baby stuff' maybe because many of his friends in school are at least grade 5 and up. I think maybe this is a push factor for him.

Personally I think playing a lower grade piece extremely well can be extremely satisfying as well, more so than doing a hack job of a more difficult piece.

Anyway, healthy competition can be a powerful motivator. One of my current students felt exactly like your DS who felt underwhelmed because the rest of the classmates were grade 5 and up, and he pushed himself to take grade 5 exam within one year under me after immediately passing his grade 1 (and managed to accomplish it). And since I was quite particular in ensuring stuff for each grade were not skipped, you can imagine the amount of work he put in.

Now obviously this is an exception case and I always caution parents that it is always more prudent to be on the safe side and take things slow especially if the kids are not the competitive type. But if the students themselves are willing to go under the pressure, then I should not limit them.[/quote][/quote][/quote]

My goodness that's an achievement! But NO, I won't let my DS know about this. He was already asking why not grade 5 for first exam and we simply told him that it's not possible!

I can imagine how much time your student must have put into the practicing and I don't think I can allow that 'cos DS will need to study.

[Dreamaurora]

Dear all,


I am organizing a public performance for selected students at Library@Esplanade Open Stage at 2:00 PM next Sunday on 13th. It is absolutely FOC and you can just pop in to watch if you are free that day. My students will be presenting an entertaining selection of mostly light non-classical piano music including music from Disney movies and video games such as Final Fantasy. I will also be joined by vocal students of Mdm Joy Chen to present various light-hearted songs. And oh, the 2 very famous songs from Frozen are in the vocal program (you know which ones).

http://i62.tinypic.com/2amgpz.jpg\">

[ScaredyMum]

It’s possible with lots of hard work and practice.

DS passed his grade 5 theory in P3 and grade 6 practical in P4, all first attempts in exams.

[Moving from Sengkang]

Dreamaurora:

Dear all,


I am organizing a public performance for selected students at Library@Esplanade Open Stage at 2:00 PM next Sunday on 13th. It is absolutely FOC and you can just pop in to watch if you are free that day. My students will be presenting an entertaining selection of mostly light non-classical piano music including music from Disney movies and video games such as Final Fantasy. I will also be joined by vocal students of Mdm Joy Chen to present various light-hearted songs. And oh, the 2 very famous songs from Frozen are in the vocal program (you know which ones).

http://i62.tinypic.com/2amgpz.jpg\">

What time does it end?

[Dreamaurora]

Moving from Sengkang:

Dreamaurora:

Dear all,


I am organizing a public performance for selected students at Library@Esplanade Open Stage at 2:00 PM next Sunday on 13th. It is absolutely FOC and you can just pop in to watch if you are free that day. My students will be presenting an entertaining selection of mostly light non-classical piano music including music from Disney movies and video games such as Final Fantasy. I will also be joined by vocal students of Mdm Joy Chen to present various light-hearted songs. And oh, the 2 very famous songs from Frozen are in the vocal program (you know which ones).

http://i62.tinypic.com/2amgpz.jpg\">

What time does it end?

Shouldn't be more than an hour, not that many performers.

[sacredmusicals]

Dream, I am just wondering if it is possible for most teachers to achieve what you think a good teacher must be able to do. If measured against your ideals, even a lot of established teachers seem to fall short. Do you think they are good teachers then?