All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

sacredmusicals:

I don't mind admitting that I am not part of the 1% of teachers that Dreamaurora mentioned. When I learned piano my ex teacher was just one of those SAHMs who gave piano lessons to pass time. I did not have intensive performance training. I did not recall of my teacher even organising a single student concert. And my playing standard was perhaps not anywhere near these performance focused teachers' students. But I can say that by no means I think my ex teacher was inferior. I still love music and piano up to today. As far as I am concerned my ex teacher was a great teacher.

The difficult thing about evaluating a music teacher is it is not so as straightforward as seeing whether the students play well or not. Unlike say when we engage a maths tutor, we don't really care if the the maths tutor is encouraging or inspiring, we just want a tutor who can produce results. But if we evaluate music teacher using just his/her results, then perhaps only a very tiny number of teachers we can consider as 'good teachers'.

But still, in reality, a teacher with very good performing students will always be viewed as more 'prestigious' and commands more premium fees; this is just human nature. It is not easy to maintain the delicate balance of pushing students to achieve high standards while still maintaining their love and appreciation for music.

[metz2]

As a non-musically trained parent, my idea of the top music teachers is different. The top category probably refers to names like Ong Lip Tat and the likes. Parents like me are definitely not looking for teachers in that top category, at least not in the beginning. For a start (especially for lower grades), all we want is somebody dependable, patient, and skillful in his/her playing and teaching to lay a good solid foundation for our children.


The few piano teachers who are SAHMs that I know are more than capable of delivering that - a good solid foundation. Incidentally, Mrs Chew is also a SAHM if I am not mistaken. My children’s current piano teacher since they were preschoolers is also a SAHM. They love her dearly and refuse to change teachers even though she suggested a few times that they would do better under more demanding teachers. They like her because she understands them and is patient with them. As my daughter puts it, she makes sure that her playing improves (techniques, expression etc) every lesson even though she has not worked hard as expected. Are my kids ready like to perform like Ms Tay’s students? Of course not. That has never been our intention as my children do not have the time to put in such effort to achieve that level. But I do know, they are playing with good confidence and skills at the level they are learning. To us, that’s a good teacher.

Whether a teacher is good or not, it has nothing to do with her being a SAHM or full time music teacher. My P2 niece had a full time piano teacher at a school. The teacher proposed to my sister to sign her up for Grade 2 exam this sep/oct. In March, when we heard her play the exam pieces, we realised she had missed out so much details. In fact, she has not even reached the advanced grade 1 stage. The foundation is simply not there. We were lucky to find another teacher (teaches from home) who is willing to take her at the very last minute to help prepare for her exam. Her condition is that my niece would have to start from a lower level after the exam to fill in the gaps.

Good piano teachers who teach to pass time are definitely not less adequate or responsible than a full time music teacher.

For performance based teachers, parents must be aware that not only the teachers play a critical part, both the parents and children must also put in the necessary time and effort to reach that level of peformance. Therefore, when choosing teachers, it’s important to first understand our expectations for children and if they are ready to commit to themselves to the teachers’ expectations.

But regardless which type of teachers, they should be able to lay a firm foundation and good playing skills in their students. If such basic expectations are not met/glimpsed in their students’ playing (majority), how can parents be convinced to trust their little ones with these teachers?

[metz2]

Dreamaurora:

The difficult thing about evaluating a music teacher is it is not so as straightforward as seeing whether the students play well or not. Unlike say when we engage a maths tutor, we don't really care if the the maths tutor is encouraging or inspiring, we just want a tutor who can produce results. But if we evaluate music teacher using just his/her results, then perhaps only a very tiny number of teachers we can consider as 'good teachers'.

Many parents would wish it is as simple as you said. Like music, some parents are as just clueless about Maths and looking for a good Maths tutor is not much easier. Fyi, the good tutors/teachers, that I heard from my friends, not only deliver results but are also encouraging and inspirng.

[Dreamaurora]

metz2:

As a non-musically trained parent, my idea of the top music teachers is different. The top category probably refers to names like Ong Lip Tat and the likes. Parents like me are definitely not looking for teachers in that top category, at least not in the beginning. For a start (especially for lower grades), all we want is somebody dependable, patient, and skillful in his/her playing and teaching to lay a good solid foundation for our children.


The few piano teachers who are SAHMs that I know are more than capable of delivering that - a good solid foundation. Incidentally, Mrs Chew is also a SAHM if I am not mistaken. My children's current piano teacher since they were preschoolers is also a SAHM. They love her dearly and refuse to change teachers even though she suggested a few times that they would do better under more demanding teachers. They like her because she understands them and is patient with them. As my daughter puts it, she makes sure that her playing improves (techniques, expression etc) every lesson even though she has not worked hard as expected. Are my kids ready like to perform like Ms Tay's students? Of course not. That has never been our intention as my children do not have the time to put in such effort to achieve that level. But I do know, they are playing with good confidence and skills at the level they are learning. To us, that's a good teacher.

Whether a teacher is good or not, it has nothing to do with her being a SAHM or full time music teacher. My P2 niece had a full time piano teacher at a school. The teacher proposed to my sister to sign her up for Grade 2 exam this sep/oct. In March, when we heard her play the exam pieces, we realised she had missed out so much details. In fact, she has not even reached the advanced grade 1 stage. The foundation is simply not there. We were lucky to find another teacher (teaches from home) who is willing to take her at the very last minute to help prepare for her exam. Her condition is that my niece would have to start from a lower level after the exam to fill in the gaps.

Good piano teachers who teach to pass time are definitely not less adequate or responsible than a full time music teacher.

For performance based teachers, parents must be aware that not only the teachers play a critical part, both the parents and children must also put in the necessary time and effort to reach that level of peformance. Therefore, when choosing teachers, it's important to first understand our expectations for children and if they are ready to commit to themselves to the teachers' expectations.

But regardless which type of teachers, they should be able to lay a firm foundation and good playing skills in their students. If such basic expectations are not met/glimpsed in their students' playing (majority), how can parents be convinced to trust their little ones with these teachers?

I think any great teachers need to start somewhere and often it can be chicken or egg situation. For a teacher to show her ability in teaching, she will need good students who are disciplined with supportive parents. But good students and their parents tend to gravitate to teachers who had been around much longer and already had established reputation and track record. I mean, if you are a new teacher, you won't have enough students to have a concert right? And have to accept all types of students under the sun, even the obviously not so serious ones.

The early years of my teaching career were not very pleasant as there were parents who did not believe in my ability and ended up switching to more established ones. Nothing wrong with that, it's a free market after all. I am still just an amateur piano teacher compared to teachers like Mrs Chew and Ms Tay who had been teaching even before I knew where middle C was. But I'm grateful for the parents who believed in my ability and my vision, and I hope I am improving fast enough to justify their belief in me.

[Dreamaurora]

metz2:

Dreamaurora:

The difficult thing about evaluating a music teacher is it is not so as straightforward as seeing whether the students play well or not. Unlike say when we engage a maths tutor, we don't really care if the the maths tutor is encouraging or inspiring, we just want a tutor who can produce results. But if we evaluate music teacher using just his/her results, then perhaps only a very tiny number of teachers we can consider as 'good teachers'.

Many parents would wish it is as simple as you said. Like music, some parents are as just clueless about Maths and looking for a good Maths tutor is not much easier. Fyi, the good tutors/teachers, that I heard from my friends, not only deliver results but are also encouraging and inspirng.

Yeah, but the difference Maths is an essential subject and there is no option for children not to do it. Music lessons can be easily canned with little impact if the child is reluctant and not progressing.

[metz2]

Dreamaurora:

I think any great teachers need to start somewhere and often it can be chicken or egg situation. For a teacher to show her ability in teaching, she will need good students who are disciplined with supportive parents. But good students and their parents tend to gravitate to teachers who had been around much longer and already had established reputation and track record. I mean, if you are a new teacher, you won't have enough students to have a concert right? And have to accept all types of students under the sun, even the obviously not so serious ones.

Well, not all good teachers cherry pick their students. Good teachers have their fair share of not-so-disciplined students too. Some even take in special needs kids and do a great job with them.

Your definition (from the perspective of a music teacher) of good teachers may be different from mine (parent's perspective). To me, good teachers are not necessary just those with students playing impressively like Ms Tay's students. That would require disciplined students and supportive parents. I posted Ms Tay's videos because someone mentioned her child is interested in peformance.

For a teacher new to the industry, if she's good in her teaching, her students would gradually increase in number over time. As in any occupation/buisness, a new entrant will need time to build a good reputation and be recognised.

[Dreamaurora]

metz2:

Dreamaurora:

I think any great teachers need to start somewhere and often it can be chicken or egg situation. For a teacher to show her ability in teaching, she will need good students who are disciplined with supportive parents. But good students and their parents tend to gravitate to teachers who had been around much longer and already had established reputation and track record. I mean, if you are a new teacher, you won't have enough students to have a concert right? And have to accept all types of students under the sun, even the obviously not so serious ones.

Well, not all good teachers cherry pick their students. Good teachers have their fair share of not-so-disciplined students too. Some even take in special needs kids and do a great job with them.

Your definition (from the perspective of a music teacher) of good teachers may be different from mine (parent's perspective). To me, good teachers are not necessary just those with students playing impressively like Ms Tay's students. That would require disciplined students and supportive parents. I posted Ms Tay's videos because someone mentioned her child is interested in peformance.

For a teacher new to the industry, if she's good in her teaching, her students would gradually increase in number over time. As in any occupation/buisness, a new entrant will need time to build a good reputation and be recognised.

This is why I feel if you try to see whether a teacher is good by evaluating her students, it may not paint an accurate picture of what the teacher can actually do because the majority of her students may just simply be unmotivated or not disciplined. I am lucky now to have a large number students who are disciplined who I can safely display to showcase my teaching, but I have many colleagues who still have languishing private careers or working in music schools. Even some of my colleagues who have been around longer than me, they are struggling to get enough students because they do not know how to market themselves.

Like what I said, if we just evaluate a teacher purely on her students' performance level or exam results, then the pool of 'good teachers' is really small. My personal belief of a good teacher is one who can guide a student in her journey to discover music and conquer her personal challenges. Not all students will or can be star performers, and I think a good piano teacher needs to recognise that.

[Kee Kor]

metz2:

Mrs Chew does not believe in rushing her students through exams. I like her students' playing as they are soothing and not choppy and I can feel the mood of the pieces they are playing.
http://www.kidsmusichub.com/PIANO.html

Ms Winnie Tay is another piano teacher that I have come to appreciate. From what I understand, she is not big into abrsm exams but focuses more on performances. I truly enjoy watching her students perform.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy1jB7 ... mtRj6qqFLg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX6rnLY1oBY

Thanks for the links.

[Kee Kor]

Yes I sure agree that generally most teachers don’t get to cherry pick their students and finding one who is very motivated isn’t so common.


I thought about it and noticed that most of the students at our teacher’s recital last year were of lower grades. Only a handful was grade 5 and up. Less than 5 did their recital without the score sheet.

I picked this teacher because a friend had recommended her as her daughter was her student until grade 8 and got a distinction a few years ago. Didn’t realized that choosing a very good teacher was so technical.

[metz2]

Dreamaurora:

My personal belief of a good teacher is one who can guide a student in her journey to discover music and conquer her personal challenges. Not all students will or can be star performers, and I think a good piano teacher needs to recognise that.

That is a one aspect of what defines a good teacher. Likewise, as I have stressed repeatedly, the definition of good teachers includes more than those who groom majority of their students to be star performers.

From your perspective, a good teacher is one blessed with disciplined students and supportive parents.

From a parent's perspective, good teachers are the ones who are willing to give every student a chance. My friend was surprised that Ms Tay was willing to accept her teenager even though the teenager is far from the standards of her 7 year old students.

Different parents and students will have different expectations of what good teachers should be. However, the very basic requirement of a good teacher would be one who is able to teach the student to play well regardless of the level he/she is learning. A simple elementary piece can either be played elegantly or hammered senselessly. Imparting the right set of skills and techniques will lay a strong foundation for future progress.

Students' playing may not reflect the teacher's fullest ability but it does give parents a glimpse of what to expect of their children's playing should they engage the teacher. That's the reason why some music teachers, including yourself, have posted their students' video clips on ksp. Parents who viewed these clips would naturally contact the teachers if they enjoyed the playing skills displayed. Those who don't, will simply move on and continue their quest for a suitable teacher.