All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[ApronMama]

My child came to me one day and said after his piano exam this time, he does not want to learn any more. As teacher or parent, how would you response to it?

[corneyAmber]

Try to find out the reason behind. Is it due to exam stress? This is very common for students who keep taking exams non stop or took the first exam etc.


If it is really because of this, Skip the next exam. Do leisurely - fun pieces but in the meantime, still continue with next exam material but not going for it etc.

Hope this helps.

[sakura_2009]

Dear PianoJazzy


My son (8 yrs old) is currently taking Grade 1 lessons in the CC. He has been with this music teacher for about 1.5 years and will soon be taking his Grade 1 exams (both theory and practical). However, he has been very reluctant to take on the exams (or should I say the music lessons as well) and keeps telling me he wants to give up. I'm not sure the actual reasons behind it but I suspect it could be a mix of both interest and err, maybe the music teacher. She tends to be very strict with him (which is probably her style of teaching all her students) and my son happen to be one of those 'playful' types, and hence his interest seems to dwindle over time... :roll:

However, with his exams just 2 weeks away, I really wish that he can 'buck up' and at least pass the exams. May I seek your advice as to how i can 'encourage and motivate' him during this period? Thank you very much!

[corneyAmber]

Hi Sakura,


He only have 2 weeks left. I suppose he is doing the theory papers now. The easiest way is to bribery. If he manage to get 80 mks for the paper he can get … 90, he can get … After every piano lesson he attend he get to play in the playground for 15min more etc.

At least for these two weeks to get it over and done with. Then u might consider to talk to the teacher that her teaching method might not be suitable for your son and try to come to a solution. If it still don’t work, you may wan to consider to change a teacher.

[sakura_2009]

Dear Pianojazzy


Thanks a lot, Pianojazzy. I like your suggestion of 'bribery' Actually have resorted to doing that liao...He has 'somewhat' agree (although I can sense his reluctance) to try his best to pass his exams but I guess maybe more 'bribery' will be needed this time...

Yes, I think his dwindling interest has something to do with the method of teaching but what I was afraid is that his interest in playing the piano is also dropping at the same time. He was really enthusiastic for the first 6-9 months initially but I guess as the lessons gets more difficult, he decided that it is no longer fun...So how am I to gauge whether it is really due to the mtd of teaching or that he really is no longer interested in piano? I mean if he totally loses interest, I believe there's no point in continuing after his Grade 1 tests, is there?

[corneyAmber]

Whenever parents tell me their child is no longer interested and want to stop lessons, i find that this is just an easier way out.


Why is the child not interested? Is it due to due to plain laziness? Too much distractions like TV, computer and hand held games, Loss of playtime due to piano practise sessions?

If these are the reasons and they give up like that, will it be a waste? I have many students who stopped previously came back again for lessons, telling me they regretted stopping lessons.

There are many solutions to this. Get a better piano, talk to the teacher, change a teacher, parental support and involvement, set a fix time for practise - ie some family have dinner time fixed at 7pm, sleeping time fix at 9pm, fix a time for piano practise session as well. When it get it to a habit, it is just like eating and sleeping which you have to do it everyday.

It might be a bit late to start this as for my students, the very first lesson they are told to do this. However, it is never too late to start. U never know it may work

[sakura_2009]

Dear Pianojazzy


Yes, I too personally feel that it will be a waste if he just stop playing altogether. That's why I insisted he continue with his lessons even though he keeps telling me he wants to give up totally a few months back...

He has a routine for practising. He practices a few pieces EVERY day (no exceptions). The thing here is nowadays, I can sense his impatience when he is practising. He just play for the sake of playing (because I say he must play) and he didn't enjoy playing like he used to when he first started. He looked 'irritable' and sometimes 'jabs' the piano keys, deliberately playing the pieces very loudly. He tells me he would rather have a game of badminton or swimming anytime, rather than playing the piano

I have spoken a few times with his teacher and her feedback was that if my son wants to play, he can in fact play very well. However, she said that my son needs to change his 'learning attitude' :? She quoted an instance when she gave my son past year theory papers and she found that there were many careless mistakes, plus untidy handwriting etc when she marked them. She then gave him another set of past year theory papers and 'threaten' him that she will complain to me if he does it badly again. This time round, he scored almost full marks and his handwriting was 'Superneat'. :? She then said she cannot always 'threaten' the students & that the students should change their learning attitude and be more 'automatic' in learning...

I'm really in a dilemma ... :roll:

[corneyAmber]

Then you really have to find out what is the main reason behind this.


After these two weeks, maybe you can give him a break. Then start of with ‘fun’ pieces first and monitor the situation.

[chanelprincess34]

Hi Pianojazzy,


My son is coming to 4 years old this June. He just started taking keyboard lessons in his childcare centre. From what I see, he likes music. I am keen to let him take up piano lessons. May I know you are staying at which part of the East side and are you able to take in any students during weekends ?

Can you contact me at [email protected] thank you !!

[corneyAmber]

Emailed you