All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[phankao]

waiyean:

However, whenever we watch the SSO performs, they are always sitting down. Also when she is attending string ensemble practice in school, she gets to sit. So, what's the point of making students stand during violin lessons, other than making them \"more disciplined\"?

\"Waiyean\". Personally I've noticed they play better and more properly when standing! that's why I always have my son stand while practising too! Also as form of discipline. His violin lessons are usually 45mins. Sometimes up to 1hr. Up to just about a 1-2weeks ago, he would still start getting restless halfway thru the 45mins, but lately I notice he's keeping way better concentration levels. Esp so when the teacher is working with him on something more exciting, more challenging, which maybe is more interesting to him? Maybe so. Not sure.

[phtthp]

JY2011:

Thanks for your sharing that active children also can learn well.

sometimes kid too young in pre-school, cannot sit still to play piano.

But when they older, more mature, can sit still for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Not to worry

[JY2011]

Dreamaurora:

I think it's great that you are realistic about what your daughter can achieve currently. I think too often parents have narrow-minded views on how they should develop their children's abilities. Though it is tempting to believe that all our kids are little Mozarts and they can handle whatever thrown at them, the reality is learning an instrument properly is a long difficult journey and one that is becoming increasingly unattractive in this era of instant gratification.

I myself often have to advise my own students' parents to adjust their own expectations and not push their kids beyond what they are willing to achieve. Surmounting a difficult challenge can be a very powerful motivation for young children, but the one they should be challenging should be themselves, not other children. A common question often asked to me by parents enquiring my lessons is \"my son/daughter's classmate is preparing grade X now, will he/she be able to achieve the same too next year?\" Though certainly a valid question, I caution parents about comparing their kids others, especially in this age of social media. So normally I will ask back this question \"Who do you think is more talented? A 6 year old girl who plays grade 5 pieces very average, or a 8 year old girl who plays grade 2 pieces beautifully with artistry?\" And most parents should be able to see the point afterwards.

Hi Dreamaurora,

We just think of building up DD's long term hobbies & interests rather than short term one. The key thing that I want her to learn is to stay on the tasks and continue with best efforts. This is what she lacks of now. I believe that every child can do well if it is interest-driven especially. We have no intention to fix her future career path but only guide her where and how she can be a better person and happier. It will be very good that she will find a job that she likes even just a musician. As long as she can support herself in the future, we are happy already. Just very simple thought. :xedfingers:

[JY2011]

cse1217:

Hi JY2011,


Happy to hear that your daughter went through the assessment class so you have a better gauge whether to put her through formal lessons or not.

Dont worry, what your daughter is doing now is very normal. A lot of young children do like to play randomly at the at piano. Sometimes even older students like 9-10 years old still cannot sit still.

Take time to teach her bit by bit and slowly when she learns to follow instruction and able to sit down for longer period of time, that's when you can start.

I actually started learning piano when I was 8 years....

Hi cse1217,

Thanks for encouragement. I feel much more relief after the assessment as I can understand how my DD current abilities. If she is not ready, we don't really want to force her. She is not discipline enough to do daily practices even though she is keen to learn. We just wait and see how then. If she really wants to go ahead, there will be a strong sign from her. She can do better then I guess.

[JY2011]

phankao:

More like I'm the one who is attending lesson and reminding him lah. Sometimes the teacher will tell me what to look out for and what to work on. Not many things for young kids' lessons.

Now that he's 6, he's starting to get way more out of lessons than he used to. And in the past few weeks, I notice that he is catching what the teacher is showing him much more, and that it is me who cannot follow as well already. Glad to see him maturing.

Hi phankao,

You are good mother too to help ur son in learning piano at young age. It is also not an easy task. I dun even know if I can remember everything when attending the lessons. I think I will need a video recorder too... :oops: very bad in music stuff.. ..

It's good that ur son is progressing well now. You can much more relax now as he is learning better than u ah... maybe can coach himself next time :rahrah:

[cse1217]

waiyean:

cse1217:

Hi Waiyean

Whether the kid gets to stand throughout or get some time to rest and sit down, it depends on how long the music lesson is. Typically if the student only have half an hour, I observe the teacher will make the student stand throughout because it makes them more disciplined.

However for higher grade students like grade 8, sometimes the lesson might be more than 1hour, so when explaining concepts to the student, the teacher might let the student sit down.

It also depends whether the student is able to take the long standing during the lesson. If your kid is really tired during lesson, you can tell your kid to tell the teacher. Then she/he can get some rest accordingly.

Dont worry! Just voice out! Its not a punishment.

Orchestra violinist most of the time are seated unless they have solo. So even sitting down, you can play well too!

Hi CSE,
DD's violin lessons are 1 hour long. Hardly gets to sit down, as most of the time, the instructions part is quite short, and spread out throughout the lesson. As she has to stand during lessons, I make her stand as well when she practices daily at home.

However, whenever we watch the SSO performs, they are always sitting down. Also when she is attending string ensemble practice in school, she gets to sit. So, what's the point of making students stand during violin lessons, other than making them \"more disciplined\"?

You have a good question here. Haha! What I observe in the violin lesson for kids who stands and play while I play the piano accompaniment for their exams, I can see that there's a difference in the style the kids express while standing versus sitting down.

However, it depends on how much the teacher teach the student in handling the violin with both hands and body movement to express the music better while standing up. The kind of emotions and body language which a child adds in playing violin will give you an altogether different feeling to their performance.

During violin lesson they are treated like soloists whereas in string ensemble or orchestra, they are treated like supporting characters (with some solo parts depending on the music) and typically the pieces are much longer. And there are also other instruments involved to play in a team and all of them need to see the conductor for performance directions. That explains why they get to sit down.

I believe it is ok to let the child sit down and play or practice. As some might get tired after standing too long. And they might play better. However do note that during exam they are required to perform with standing up as they are treated as the soloist. So having the habit of standing up will make them more comfortable and used to in preparation for their exams.

:imcool:

Hope this helps in understanding the benefits of standing during violin lesson.

[cse1217]

JY2011:

cse1217:

Hi JY2011,


Happy to hear that your daughter went through the assessment class so you have a better gauge whether to put her through formal lessons or not.

Dont worry, what your daughter is doing now is very normal. A lot of young children do like to play randomly at the at piano. Sometimes even older students like 9-10 years old still cannot sit still.

Take time to teach her bit by bit and slowly when she learns to follow instruction and able to sit down for longer period of time, that's when you can start.

I actually started learning piano when I was 8 years....

Hi cse1217,

Thanks for encouragement. I feel much more relief after the assessment as I can understand how my DD current abilities. If she is not ready, we don't really want to force her. She is not discipline enough to do daily practices even though she is keen to learn. We just wait and see how then. If she really wants to go ahead, there will be a strong sign from her. She can do better then I guess.

Coming from a piano teacher experience, I strongly agree with what you decided. Haha, don't force her! It's hard for triple groups! Teacher, student and parents. A lot of children are still very young and need parents to motivate and monitor them in order to progress further. Without practice and effort, progress will be very slow and money put in is not worth it.

[waiyean]

cse1217:

Hope this helps in understanding the benefits of standing during violin lesson.

Thanks for taking the time to explain benefits.

[waiyean]

JY2011:

It is also not an easy task. I dun even know if I can remember everything when attending the lessons. I think I will need a video recorder too... :oops: very bad in music stuff.. ..

Do you attend the lessons with your DD in the preschool music lessons?
Yes, video recorder is a good idea. I carry a tripod and camcorder to record every of my daughter's piano lessons.

[JY2011]

cse1217:

Coming from a piano teacher experience, I strongly agree with what you decided. Haha, don't force her! It's hard for triple groups! Teacher, student and parents. A lot of children are still very young and need parents to motivate and monitor them in order to progress further. Without practice and effort, progress will be very slow and money put in is not worth it.

I think no one will like to be forced or pushed to do things, especially my DD who has very strong character and only does things if she agrees / is willing to do. So what I learn now is to be patient enough, not to rush. Maybe few months or half a year later, she may just become more mature and discipline by chance. I will monitor first and keep her music interest on still. Hope our kids can understand our kind efforts to guide and help them next time when they grow up ah.