All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[pianoprincess]

starz:

my child is 8 this year.

During the time with this teacher, has he/she mentioned or brought up exams for your child? If no, possibly state your interest in registering your child for exams next year and see what the teacher says. After 3 years and JMC, your child should be ready to try for at least Grade 1 if not Grade 2 exams.

[waiyean]

starz:

hi,

i would like to seek your advice.

Currently my child has been learning piano with a private teacher (1-1) for 3 years and she is still in basic beginner stage.
Before she was with this private teacher, she has completed yamaha JMC.
I wonder 3 years of doing basic after completion of JMC, is that too slow for my child? Should i switch teacher? Thank you.

Hi starz,
What do you mean by basic beginner stage? Are you referring to pre grade 1? If so, then it certainly sounds too slow. Even without JMC, it usually takes 1.5 - 2 years from start (touching the piano) to completing grade 1. How long was the JMC course? Does your child practice at home?

If your child has been putting in some practice at home, then I would think can go much faster. Have you spoken to the teacher regarding your child's progress?

[chianchian]

anybody take abrsm exam soon? i am not sure whether i should test the piano or not, it sounds quite expensive and I did look at the piano at the test venue, it does not seem so difference from our home one. and what to test ? how many sessions are necessary?

[starz]

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

[phankao]

starz:

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

Looks quite basic to be doing this book after having had 4 years of music lessons.

[Dreamaurora]

starz:

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

Like many people have mentioned here, the progress seemed to be rather slow if your child has been putting in consistent practice.

From what you have described, the issue seems to be that the teacher lacks direction. Once a teacher has taught a child for sufficient time say one or two months, the teacher should by then have a good idea on the child's ability and discipline level. He/she should then advise you on a learning plan with clear definite goals to be achieved. Even if exams are not planned to be attempted, there still have to be long term goals that can be matched to one of the existing exam syllabus. Examples of this goal maybe by the end of 6 months of lessons the student can perform 3 grade 1 level pieces at distinction levels. This way progress can be measured and the student can feel definite milestones in the learning journey.

What you can do is to ask the teacher for a definite timeline for the various goals. Set a long term target, say your child will attempt grade 2 ABRSM. Then ask the teacher to plan on how to achieve the standards required for grade 2 and the eventual preparation for the exams. If the teacher can't formulate a basic plan for this and still say depend on the child's progress, then yes, you should seriously consider switching teacher.

If exam is expected or the teacher claims to be able to prepare students for the exams, then the teacher should be familiar with the syllabi as well and know what are tested. So let's say a teacher claims to prepare students for ABRSM exams, she must be familiar with the specific requirements for the grades she offers e.g. the various components in the aural tests. Generally not recommended to prepare for an exam if the teacher are not familiar what are being tested in the exams, unless the exam is a less popular one e.g. ANZCA exams. Even if the teacher is not a believer in exams, she must be able to explain a basic syllabus that she is using for her lessons.

[Dreamaurora]

chianchian:

anybody take abrsm exam soon? i am not sure whether i should test the piano or not, it sounds quite expensive and I did look at the piano at the test venue, it does not seem so difference from our home one. and what to test ? how many sessions are necessary?

You really can't judge a piano by how it looks. If your piano is the type with heavy deep keys with good amount of resistance, then you should be able to adapt easily to other pianos easily. But if your piano keys are shallow and light, then you may not be able to adapt so easily if the exam piano keys are heavier and deeper.

If the option to rent the exam venue is available to you, I recommend at least renting it one time to do a mock exam with your teacher. This way you can familiarize yourself with the environment and make some changes if necessary to your playing to adapt to the different piano.

[Blissedsher]

phankao:

starz:

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

That's really too simple given that your child has learn for 2 years .. My da
Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

Looks quite basic to be doing this book after having had 4 years of music lessons.

That's really too simple given that your child has learn piano for 2 years . My daughter completed that book within 6 months from start and she is not fast at all ..

[Blissedsher]

phankao:

starz:

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

That's really too simple given that your child has learn for 2 years .. My da
Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

Looks quite basic to be doing this book after having had 4 years of music lessons.

That's really too simple given that your child has learn piano for 2 years . My daughter completed that book within 6 months from start and she is not fast at all ..

[reddiechan]

phankao:

starz:

hi all,


thanks for your advise.
My apologies on the typo error.
My child learning with private for coming 2 years (6-8 years old)
As for JMC, it was 2 years too (4-6 years old)

I was wondering after learning with private for 2 years n still in beginner progress, shall i switch teacher?

Teacher is currently using Alfred's Prep course beginner course Level B book and other level b books.
http://www.alfred.com/Products/Alfreds-Basic-Piano-Prep-Course-Lesson-Book-B--00-3090.aspx

Yes , hv higlighted regarding G1 exams However, teacher prefers to start from basic n mentioned depends on my child's progress too.

Thank you.

Looks quite basic to be doing this book after having had 4 years of music lessons.

Switch a teacher. Wasting time, effort and money. You'd have progressed further even on the JMC syllabus.