All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[waiyean]

bunnybluey:

Is it ok for a 4 years old to start 1-1 piano lesson or is it better to start with programme like Cristofori MLM? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Hi, I think it's very subjective, and depends on the child's ability to listen to instructions, focus and make good use of the time spent during 1-1 lesson.

Group lessons are quite fun too, and if the child hasn't really been exposed to music appreciation classes, it might be a good thing to start off on a group class first. However, progress in a group class is generally quite restrictive and everyone is kept at the same pace. Hence, it will be better to move on to 1-1 lessons once child is ready to be more serious in learning piano.

If the child can remain attentive for 30 minutes, and is not against the idea of being in a studio with a teacher and following the teacher's instructions, then 1-1 lessons can give faster progress. The teacher can also focus more on technique and posture. 4 years old is not too young to start 1-1 lessons.

[Dreamaurora]

waiyean:

bunnybluey:

Is it ok for a 4 years old to start 1-1 piano lesson or is it better to start with programme like Cristofori MLM? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Hi, I think it's very subjective, and depends on the child's ability to listen to instructions, focus and make good use of the time spent during 1-1 lesson.

Group lessons are quite fun too, and if the child hasn't really been exposed to music appreciation classes, it might be a good thing to start off on a group class first. However, progress in a group class is generally quite restrictive and everyone is kept at the same pace. Hence, it will be better to move on to 1-1 lessons once child is ready to be more serious in learning piano.

If the child can remain attentive for 30 minutes, and is not against the idea of being in a studio with a teacher and following the teacher's instructions, then 1-1 lessons can give faster progress. The teacher can also focus more on technique and posture. 4 years old is not too young to start 1-1 lessons.

Good advices given. Another important consideration is if you are willing to sit in and assist in practice sessions. Children below 6 treat piano more like a toy and if you ask them to practice themselves they would just play the songs they already learnt in lessons without conscious effort to improve them. You will need to be the one structuring the practices and directing your child to correct mistakes and improve the playing. For my teaching practice, I will refuse to take in a student below 7 if the parent is not willing to sit in and help in practice.

[Dreamaurora]

Okay, I am going to start posting piano videos again mainly so I have incentives to practice my sight-reading for my LRSM Teaching Diploma next year


Here's some selections I have curated this week. Hope you all enjoy them.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71aTF7fSRQk][/youtube]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY6nvfEm5R4][/youtube]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99hCB66R9vA][/youtube]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtyIS2Io2Y0][/youtube]

[momoftwo]

Bunnyblue, 4 years old is a very young age to start piano lesson. Most private teacher only take in at 5. However depending on your child concentration level this might be possible. The downside is his/her finger might not be strong enough or long enough for this.


My suggestion is to consider group classes, or if you want 1-1 have a trial with the teacher first and let them assess the suitability. Ultimately though I believe private is better than group. But at that age the goal should be to get the kid interested at music first

[momoftwo]

bunnybluey:

Is it ok for a 4 years old to start 1-1 piano lesson or is it better to start with programme like Cristofori MLM? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Bunnybluey, 4 years old is a very young age to start piano lesson. Most private teacher only take in at 5. However depending on your child concentration level this might be possible. The downside is his/her finger might not be strong enough or long enough for this.

My suggestion is to consider group classes, or if you want 1-1 have a trial with the teacher first and let them assess the suitability. Ultimately though I believe private is better than group. But at that age the goal should be to get the kid interested at music first

[phankao]

bunnybluey:

Is it ok for a 4 years old to start 1-1 piano lesson or is it better to start with programme like Cristofori MLM? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

It really depends on your child. Perhaps you can ask for a Trial lesson first to see how your child's attention is and how the teacher handles and teaches?

[Dreamaurora]

I have set up a thread to contain the videos I will upload regularly as part of my sight-reading practice so this main thread is not cluttered.


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=83565&p=1555571#p1555571

Today, we explore Handel's arrangement of his own very famous Air from 'Water Music' and another beautiful Japanese composition. Do visit the thread to view the videos.

[bebe]

bunnybluey:

Is it ok for a 4 years old to start 1-1 piano lesson or is it better to start with programme like Cristofori MLM? Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

There were pro and cons

Pro
1. He enjoyed the lessons as they got to play different musical instruments, listen to story of different composers. Teachers provided games and puppets etc to engage the kids
2. Parents sitting in with their kids will share resources and ideas to help one another, and we also learn new things and make the journey easier. It is comforting to know other parents may face the same woes.
3. Positive peer pressure - some kids learn better if they get to listen and observe their friends
4. More opportunities to participate in performance or competition

Con
1. Kids get distracted n become inattentive in class easily.
2. Some mistakes or habits may be overlooked by teachers , especially when other kids are playing at the same time. Will be difficult to correct these techniques or habits as kids progresses
3. Minimum exposure to upgright piano as sch usually uses keyboard which normally does not have weighted keys.
4. Teaching pace is not customised to kid's learning styles as we could have slow learner and fast learner within the same group.
5. Negative peer pressure - some kids may feel inferior to their friends who play better, or some are shy by nature and will be overshadowed by their friends and slowly lost confidence and interest.

My son attended group lesson when he was 4. As he was young, I had to sit in and spend a lot of time practicising with him. After a year, I have decided to get him 1-1 teacher as I find that his interest seems to dwindle due to the most of the \"cons\" factor listed above. I hope his next piano tutor can rekindle his interest in piano, but finding that right teacher is a challenge.
I will still advise you to enrol him in a music school unless you understand his learning styles and able to find the right teacher tp engage him. Anyway, tt is also not too late to start him on 1-1 even when he is older.

[Twinisland]

4yrs old children can definitely start piano lessons, but these lessons must have more than just the piano component. Children at that age must be exposed to rhythm work - clapping, tapping, moving about and singing. Keyboard work is a part of the curriculum, but quite importantly there also needs to be experiences with different sounds, and going through the fundamentals of music.

-based on 8 years of teaching kids and adults ranging from 4yrs-70yrs old

http://i62.tinypic.com/2qtvi93.jpg\">

[BloomSchoolSG]

Hi everyone,

I would like to share an article I wrote, to help parents decide whether to send your child to school for music lessons, or to have the teacher come to your place. It is a huge decision for you and your child in terms of learning, so take a look at the pros and cons, and I hope I have been helpful.

See the article here: http://www.bloom.com.sg/CMS/BlogPage.aspx?ID=24