All About Music For Beginners & Selecting Instruments

[phankao]

watmekiasu:

I wouldn't engage a music teacher (for any kind of instrument) who does not have perfect pitch in hearing. First of all, there's no way they can teach a string instrument which relies solely on their hearing. Then, how can they teach aural for the exams ?

Hmm... most instrument/vocal teachers don't teach aural for exams. The accompanist does.

[phankao]

jce:

Not many teachers out there, even for string instruments can distinguish the slight difference btw A @440 and A @ 441 (or 442 or whatever for that matter). It really takes that precise pitch hearing to get that spot on.

The ones that I know do. Ds1's tr would frown saying \"it's a hairline off!\". And ds2's tr tells me that I shd tune D at 442 instead bc it's not the same as violin which should be 440. Oh well, then I pass the stuff to her to tune. HAHA.

[watmekiasu]

phankao:

Hmm... most instrument/vocal teachers don't teach aural for exams. The accompanist does.

Then my dd must be lucky.

[jce]

Teaching aural - it all depends on whether (1) the instrumental teacher knows how to play the piano and (2) teacher wants to spend time teaching aural as some would rather spend the time teaching the pieces and technicalities to perfection and hence leave the aural to the accompanist

[metz]

sunny:

I would like to let my gal who is 4 yr old+ learn one of the instruments. But, not sure if I should let her learn violin or piano.


May I know how you decide which instrument to let your kid learn? Which instrument should in fact be learnt first if the kid doesn't have any preference?

How about letting her try both before making a decision?

Both my kids started off with violin followed by piano 4~6 months later. My son prefers violin while my daughter prefers piano. But strangely, they are reluctant to give up either instruments (and they are not the very industrious type :roll: ). And you may end up having headaches like me when your kid starts primary school. Trying to squeeze time for 2 instruments is really not easy. However, it's also painful to ask them give up an instrument when they are progressing well in both. Although my son started on piano last year only, he's now preparing Fur Elise (the original piece) for his coming recital. Stress...

[metz]

sunny:

in fact she has been learning violin for about 3 months. throughout the 3 months, she seldom takes initiative to learn. the teacher commented that we should let her join the group lesson 1st. and now, the teacher is going for further studies soon and will no longer teach my gal anymore.

Ahem, my kids still need me to sit through the practices with them. It's partly my fault too, cos I didn't set a timing for them to practise on their own. On the other hand, the teachers' expectations are more than just hitting the notes. So, I have to sit beside them to constantly remind them to observe the dynamics and keep timing.

For preschoolers, it's really important for parents to practise with them. Perhaps, she'll be more keen and hence,progress better if you practise together with her more often?

[Busymom]

chamonix:

sunny:

I would like to let my gal who is 4 yr old+ learn one of the instruments. But, not sure if I should let her learn violin or piano.


May I know how you decide which instrument to let your kid learn? Which instrument should in fact be learnt first if the kid doesn't have any preference?

How about letting her try both before making a decision?

Both my kids started off with violin followed by piano 4~6 months later. My son prefers violin while my daughter prefers piano. But strangely, they are reluctant to give up either instruments (and they are not the very industrious type :roll: ). And you may end up having headaches like me when your kid starts primary school. Trying to squeeze time for 2 instruments is really not easy. However, it's also painful to ask them give up an instrument when they are progressing well in both. Although my son started on piano last year only, he's now preparing Fur Elise (the original piece) for his coming recital. Stress...

Mine as well, but it's really stressful, if you ask me. Unless you are PTWM or SAHM, it may not really be advisable. Every night after I'm home from work and provided that it's early, instead of spending time on reading or teaching chinese, it's piano first then followed by violin. After that, it's pretty much too late to do anything else... already I'm quite worried that neighbours would think I :siao: or what. Now that DS is also starting violin, i feel like splitting myself into not two, but three already :stupid:. Sometimes, I wonder if the time could have been better spent on the academics and that their academics wouldn't suffer as a result. I mean, it's not like they are going to become a musician...

Hi chamonix

Haven't spoken to you in a while. Do you still have to supervise your DS on his violin practice? I still have to do so for DD and am starting to wonder when I can let go so that I have time for DS.

[metz]

Busymom:

Mine as well, but it's really stressful, if you ask me. Unless you are PTWM or SAHM, it may not really be advisable. Every night after I'm home from work and provided that it's early, instead of spending time on reading or teaching chinese, it's piano first then followed by violin. After that, it's pretty too late to do anything else... already I'm quite worried that neighbours would think I :siao: or what. Now that DS is also starting violin, i feel like splitting myself into not two, but three already :stupid:. Sometimes, I wonder if the time could have been better spent on the academics and that their academics wouldn't suffer as a result. I mean, it's not like they are going to become a musician...

Hi chamonix

Haven't spoken to you in a while. Do you still have to supervise your DS on his violin practice? I still have to do so for DD and am starting to wonder when I can let go so that I have time for DS.

Hi Busymom,

Sigh, I still have to supervise my son on violin practices. He has this tendency to rush and interpret the song his own way. Now his teacher is going into details for every song. I have to remind him to use less strength on certain parts and more on others etc... Think he might have some fine motor skills problems :?

When your DS starts on both instruments, you'll wish for more clones . Is your DD still with the same teacher? JXC? I have just withdrawn mine from Crestar cos we are going away. Feeling rather sad to leave the teacher.
[quote]Sometimes, I wonder if the time could have been better spent on the academics and that their academics wouldn't suffer as a result. I mean, it's not like they are going to become a musician... [/quote]My piano teacher actually suggested that I try homeschooling my kids so that they can have more time for music. Will consider if they are really into music, but they aren't Like you, I don't think they are going to be professional musicians. So, I don't insist they practise their instruments daily. Too tiring for me.

[Busymom]

chamonix:

Sigh, I still have to supervise my son on violin practices. He has this tendency to rush and interpret the song his own way. Now his teacher is going into details for every song. I have to remind him to use less strength on certain parts and more on others etc... Think he might have some fine motor skills problems :?

Me too, I attribute it to both gross motor skills and fine motor skills, including whatever I could put the blame on... (including the genes from dad) :lol:

Seriously thinking why do I stress myself so much... :roll:

chamonix:

When your DS starts on both instruments, you'll wish for more clones . Is your DD still with the same teacher? JXC? I have just withdrawn mine from Crestar cos we are going away. Feeling rather sad to leave the teacher.

Yes, we are still with the same violin teacher. DD just started JXC this month and we also found her a private piano teacher. The idea is to let her do a bit more of piano so that when the time comes for her to choose between violin and piano (either she bows out first or me :roll:), we would know which instrument does she have better aptitude in.

How long would you be away?

chamonix:

My piano teacher actually suggested that I try homeschooling my kids so that they can have more time for music. Will consider if they are really into music, but they aren't Like you, I don't think they are going to be professional musicians. So, I don't insist they practise their instruments daily. Too tiring for me.

Homeschooling :shock: No, that would be even more tiring for you, on top of the violin and piano practices.

I don't insist on DD playing everyday too, but minus those other days when I work late, it's pretty much all that we have left. All the plans for maths day, or Chinese day, etc, get thrown out of the window the minute I get home. The scary part is, don't know if I am too complacent with her academics. :xedfingers:

[metz]

Busymom:

Me too, I attribute it to both gross motor skills and fine motor skills, including whatever I could put the blame on... (including the genes from dad) :lol:

Seriously thinking why do I stress myself so much... :roll:

Haha, so I am not the only one. :lol:

Busymom:

Yes, we are still with the same violin teacher. DD just started JXC this month and we also found her a private piano teacher. The idea is to let her do a bit more of piano so that when the time comes for her to choose between violin and piano (either she bows out first or me :roll:), we would know which instrument does she have better aptitude in.

Great that your gal is continuing with JXC. Both my music teachers recommended Yamaha JMC/JXC course for developing good listening skills. She's six, right? Personally, I think it's good for preschoolers to try various activities at this period. (My 5 year old stopped her ballet recently and now suggests maybe she should try fencing :|) Is your DD going NYPS? If so, maybe it's high time to start her on music theory. Heard that the string ensemble in NYPS requires the students to have Grade 2 theory.

Busymom:

How long would you be away?

2 years.

Busymom:

Homeschooling :shock: No, that would be even more tiring for you, on top of the violin and piano practices.

Discipline is my biggest problem. :roll:

Busymom:

I don't insist on DD playing everyday too, but minus those other days when I work late, it's pretty much all that we have left. All the plans for maths day, or Chinese day, etc, get thrown out of the window the minute I get home. The scary part is, don't know if I am too complacent with her academics. :xedfingers:

I understand what you mean. But if you believe in music, it also trains up the brain as well, especially for Maths. (I just learnt from my son that music is also about patterns). From the theory work, my daughter is also learning about fractions (quavers, semiquavers etc). So, we are still teaching them academics but in different ways.