All About Violin Classes and Teachers

[Petlover]

Violin is more difficult to produce a nice sound without the basic techniques ( correct finger positions, pressure and speed of the bow,etc…) when compared to piano ( just hit the keys ). This may be the reason why some of the music school set the minimum age at 6 or 7. But I really see no harm to start a bit early if the kids are musically inclined, I saw a lot of kids start @ 5 and some even @ 4.

[metz]

Monster Mummy:

Hi,


Can I know what is the minimum age for the kid to learn violin as most of school recommended age is 7 years. Maybe the reason is due to the strength required for them to hold the violin.

Hi Monster Mummy,

Actually I shared in suzuki violin thread on this before. My kids' teacher's youngest student was a 2 year old. My girl started at 3 yr 4 mth while my son at 5 yr old. So, what you need is a teacher who has experience in teaching young kids. Some music schools such as http://www.mandevillemusic.com/Admin-require.htm takes in students at 2.5 years old.

[phankao]

chamonix:

Actually I shared in suzuki violin thread on this before. My kids' teacher's youngest student was a 2 year old. My girl started at 3 yr 4 mth while my son at 5 yr old. So, what you need is a teacher who has experience in teaching young kids. Some music schools such as http://www.mandevillemusic.com/Admin-require.htm takes in students at 2.5 years old.

Your kids learn at a school or private? Imagining a 2yo learning violin. Mine's 19mths...i'm trying to imagine - v hard. haha.

[metz]

My kids are taking lessons from a music school. Alamak, no need to imagine. Just get the smallest sized violin and let your 19 months try lah. He might just surprise you


But you must have patience too

[Monster Mummy]

Hi,


Do you all recommend to send the kid to school or hire private instructor to learn.

[phankao]

chamonix:

My kids are taking lessons from a music school. Alamak, no need to imagine. Just get the smallest sized violin and let your 19 months try lah. He might just surprise you


But you must have patience too

I don't have patience lah, but we do have a house full of instruments. LOL.

Which music school do your kids go to?
Is there usually a long waiting list at music schools?
If yes, must start waitlist from what age, ah?

[metz]

My kids are having lessons at Crestar Jurong East. Used to be called Suzuki Music Association Singapore but they have dissolved the association. Now, it's under Crestar Learning Centre. But I can only recommend 2 teachers from there, i.e Mr Kang and Mrs Lauw. Mr Kang is very demanding while Mrs Lauw is great with young kids. The rest, I'm not so sure about their teaching styles.


Aiyoh, Music Schools different from Preschools lah. From what I understand, teachers are very important. The more seasoned parents will look for teachers who come highly recommended. So, you need to check out the music schools you prefer and zoom in on the good teachers. But my hunch, most music schools only take in young kids (2-3 years old) for group classes. Not sure if their teachers are keen in teaching 2-3 years old individually.

Try this music school, http://www.wolfgangviolin.com/class.html , by Min Lee and her mom.

[phankao]

chamonix:

My kids are having lessons at Crestar Jurong East. Used to be called Suzuki Music Association Singapore but they have dissolved the association. Now, it's under Crestar Learning Centre. But I can only recommend 2 teachers from there, i.e Mr Kang and Mrs Lauw. Mr Kang is very demanding while Mrs Lauw is great with young kids. The rest, I'm not so sure about their teaching styles.


Aiyoh, Music Schools different from Preschools lah. From what I understand, teachers are very important. The more seasoned parents will look for teachers who come highly recommended. So, you need to check out the music schools you prefer and zoom in on the good teachers. But my hunch, most music schools only take in young kids (2-3 years old) for group classes. Not sure if their teachers are keen in teaching 2-3 years old individually.

Try this music school, http://www.wolfgangviolin.com/class.html , by Min Lee and her mom.

Ok, Jurong East Crestar. I know Mr Kang does teach individually even for 3yr olds. Mrs Lauw - I am familiar with her. My son was under one of her daughters when he started, but he was already 8yrs old and following their \"system\" - very slow-going.

Hmm ... I'm going to look for something more central.

Haiyah, i ask about waiting list bc I see like Mandeville starts from 2.5yrs and need to interview for Ms Khoo's class. Anyone has experience with Ms Khoo for teaching toddlers? She has turned out quite a few good young vioinists! And I like that they have a rather good ensemble group.

[metz]

phankao:

Ok, Jurong East Crestar. I know Mr Kang does teach individually even for 3yr olds. Mrs Lauw - I am familiar with her. My son was under one of her daughters when he started, but he was already 8yrs old and following their \"system\" - very slow-going.

Hmm ... I'm going to look for something more central.

Can't comment on Mrs Lauw or her daughters for older kids. My friend switched her kids from Suzuki Music (under Mrs Lauw) to another music school once they started primary school. Think Suzuki style of teaching works only for those under 6-7 years old. For Mr Kang, he stresses on sight-reading nowadays.
[quote]Haiyah, i ask about waiting list bc I see like Mandeville starts from 2.5yrs and need to interview for Ms Khoo's class. Anyone has experience with Ms Khoo for teaching toddlers? She has turned out quite a few good young vioinists! And I like that they have a rather good ensemble group.[/quote]I'm interested to know about Mandeville too.

[meiah]

phankao:

Your kids learn at a school or private? Imagining a 2yo learning violin. Mine's 19mths...i'm trying to imagine - v hard. haha.

Think 2 yr old can lah. but maybe no tune. My 2-yr dd tried with a plastic violin. whenever my ds violin tr come to our house, she will take the toy, stuff it under her neck and use the bow to move on the strings and move her little bum left n right. After that. got no sound, gave it to the tr to tune!!