All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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My dh attended every lesson with dd starting from group and then 1 to 1 to grade 8. None of the teachers (had a total of 6 teachers from music schools as well as private) charged parents lesson fee.
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Once there is a active forumer said those who r done well in piano must have either parent who knows how to play, which from my observation is really not true. On the contrary, I found many kids just do so so even parents or elder siblings know how to play. They may start earlier than other kids but eventually it depends on the individual’s own calibre not parents’ or siblings’
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crm:
Once there is a active forumer said those who r done well in piano must have either parent who knows how to play, which from my observation is really not true. On the contrary, I found many kids just do so so even parents or elder siblings know how to play. They may start earlier than other kids but eventually it depends on the individual's own calibre not parents' or siblings'
It depends on what is your definition of doing well.
If your definition of doing well is winning awards and prizes, then those who are doing well in this area most likely have one parent who plays an instrument (need not necessarily be the same instrument as the kid) to a decent level. The parents most likely will not hold back from providing the child with the best instrument and teacher money can afford; he/she will also assist the child tirelessly in practice sessions and accompany the child to every single lesson. This is to ensure the children playing at very high standard beyond what the music exams require.
If your definition of doing well is well, just getting a grade 8 in the instrument, then yes, quite common that a lot of the parents do not know play instrument and do not play an active role in their children's music education. They are also most likely not so particular in selecting the best teachers for their children. As long got show some progress and occasionally take exams can already. -
I don’t have any music background and my son is not doing extremely well. I wouldn’t say he has talent in music but I think he has interest in it.
From what I observe in my son’s classmates/schoolmates from the music schools, the better performing ones usually
1. Have one or two musically trained parent
2. If have siblings, the siblings would either be doing the same instrument or another one or doing two instruments at least.
2. Have parents who are willing to pay for better (more expensive) instruments.
Neither my hubby nor myself have any music knowledge so I do feel handicap as a parent because I can’t help him in his work. All we could do is to accompany him to all his lessons (as long as we can sit in), help him to take notes/videos, study those videos (his and other students’ performances) etc. I stop short of buying him the best instrument we could afford because I think my son is "not there yet". We give him those of reasonable standard but not a grand piano nor a violin costing thousands of dollars.
One thing that exists in all those who "do well", whether they have musically trained parents or not - they all practice long and hard. -
Dreamaurora:
Agreed. Parental support is very important for kids who takes part actively in competitions, and such level of commitment are more commonly seen amongst parents who play an instrument themselves. Doing well in competitions requires much more than just sending the child for weekly lessons. Having at least 4 hours of lessons per week is not uncommon, and the hourly rate of such teachers are not low. Coupled with the need for a good instrument, it is no surprise that parents have to support the child, not just from a time perspective, but also financially as well.
If your definition of doing well is winning awards and prizes, then those who are doing well in this area most likely have one parent who plays an instrument (need not necessarily be the same instrument as the kid) to a decent level. The parents most likely will not hold back from providing the child with the best instrument and teacher money can afford; he/she will also assist the child tirelessly in practice sessions and accompany the child to every single lesson. This is to ensure the children playing at very high standard beyond what the music exams require.
Of course, there are also parents who don't play an instrument, but are actively involved in the child's learning journey. -
waiyean:
Interestingly, students whose parents play instruments are the ones who are committed and loyal in my studio. I guess it's because if the parents had lessons themselves, they can draw comparison of their children's teachers to their own past lessons. Parents who never had music lessons might be unaware of the differences in quality of teaching and might not be able to gauge the amount of commitments needed to learn the instrument well. This is why we often hear complaints from these parents that they thought their little kids are losing interest because they never automatically practice.
Agreed. Parental support is very important for kids who takes part actively in competitions, and such level of commitment are more commonly seen amongst parents who play an instrument themselves. Doing well in competitions requires much more than just sending the child for weekly lessons. Having at least 4 hours of lessons per week is not uncommon, and the hourly rate of such teachers are not low. Coupled with the need for a good instrument, it is no surprise that parents have to support the child, not just from a time perspective, but also financially as well.Dreamaurora:
If your definition of doing well is winning awards and prizes, then those who are doing well in this area most likely have one parent who plays an instrument (need not necessarily be the same instrument as the kid) to a decent level. The parents most likely will not hold back from providing the child with the best instrument and teacher money can afford; he/she will also assist the child tirelessly in practice sessions and accompany the child to every single lesson. This is to ensure the children playing at very high standard beyond what the music exams require.
Of course, there are also parents who don't play an instrument, but are actively involved in the child's learning journey. -
Dreamaurora:
How do you define best teachers?
If your definition of doing well is well, just getting a grade 8 in the instrument, then yes, quite common that a lot of the parents do not know play instrument and do not play an active role in their children's music education. They are also most likely not so particular in selecting the best teachers for their children. As long got show some progress and occasionally take exams can already.
Not true la. If parents do not have music background, all the more they will be completely reliant on good music teachers to bring out their children's potential. I do not have music background. Don't even have patience to sit in so dh has been the one accompanying dd. But I am in charge of sourcing for music teachers. As for instrument, I bought a brand new U3 for dd when she began grade 1 individual lesson. Maybe U3 is not top of the line for piano but I think definitely more than enough for a new beginner. It is also my vote of confidence to dd that I believe in her.
I think I mentioned many times before. dd had a total of 6 teachers. The first 3 were from Seimpi over 1.5 years period. 4th and 5th were Nafa teachers capable of teaching up to diploma level. 6th teacher graduated from Yong Siew Toh (please do not PM me for their contacts, their schedule packed). For the last 3 teachers, teaching grade 8 should be a piece of cake to them la. And my dd passed her grade 8 at 11 years old so I'm pretty satisfied. Can't expect too much since she hardly had time to practice.
Keke, so you are right in the sense that I'm one of those parents who will be satisfied so long child is 'showing progress and occasionally take exams'. Not every parent accorded high value to learning music. This is Singapore. Academic takes precedence. At least for me, I t think learning music is nice to have, not a must have. I have to be realistic with time management. School workload is heavy and dd is busy. I don't expect & don't want her to spend too much time on piano. In fact, I would have stop her lessons totally if learning piano become a source of additional stress.
Now dd plays Taylor Swift's songs for leisure. I am glad that she still enjoys playing piano. Maybe because I have not been 'forcing' her to practice or 'drilling' her for exam, so she doesn't have unfavourable memory associated with learning piano. I think it would be rather wasted if a child stops playing piano totally after spending years learning and finally passing grade 8 exam. Defeat the original intent of learning
I think not every child aspires to be a pianist. So it's okay to go at whatever pace comfortable. No need to chase for high distinction. Again, distinction is nice to have. If need practice 2-3 hours daily at the expense of academic results or eating into rest time, then nah, that's not what I desire for my child. Then again, that's just me and my simplistic thinking. Different parents have different priorities
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sleepy:
Best teachers I would define as teachers who are highly competent and able to work well with students towards a common goal. One of the issues with most non-musical parents like you is identifying the traits of a good teacher. Yes, you can narrow down the pool by paper qualifications and years of teaching, but you would find it hard to actually analyse if teacher can actually teach and suit your child if you cannot compare to your own previous lessons.
How do you define best teachers?Dreamaurora:
If your definition of doing well is well, just getting a grade 8 in the instrument, then yes, quite common that a lot of the parents do not know play instrument and do not play an active role in their children's music education. They are also most likely not so particular in selecting the best teachers for their children. As long got show some progress and occasionally take exams can already.
Not true la. If parents do not have music background, all the more they will be completely reliant on good music teachers to bring out their children's potential. I do not have music background. Don't even have patience to sit in so dh has been the one accompanying dd. But I am in charge of sourcing for music teachers. As for instrument, I bought a brand new U3 for dd when she began grade 1 individual lesson. Maybe U3 is not top of the line for piano but I think definitely more than enough for a new beginner. It is also my vote of confidence to dd that I believe in her.
I think I mentioned many times before. dd had a total of 6 teachers. The first 3 were from Seimpi over 1.5 years period. 4th and 5th were Nafa teachers capable of teaching up to diploma level. 6th teacher graduated from Yong Siew Toh (please do not PM me for their contacts, their schedule packed). For the last 3 teachers, teaching grade 8 should be a piece of cake to them la. And my dd passed her grade 8 at 11 years old so I'm pretty satisfied. Can't expect too much since she hardly had time to practice.
Keke, so you are right in the sense that I'm one of those parents who will be satisfied so long child is 'showing progress and occasionally take exams'. Not every parent accorded high value to learning music. This is Singapore. Academic takes precedence. At least for me, I t think learning music is nice to have, not a must have. I have to be realistic with time management. School workload is heavy and dd is busy. I don't expect & don't want her to spend too much time on piano. In fact, I would have stop her lessons totally if learning piano become a source of additional stress.
Now dd plays Taylor Swift's songs for leisure. I am glad that she still enjoys playing piano. Maybe because I have not been 'forcing' her to practice or 'drilling' her for exam, so she doesn't have unfavourable memory associated with learning piano. I think it would be rather wasted if a child stops playing piano totally after spending years learning and finally passing grade 8 exam. Defeat the original intent of learning
I think not every child aspires to be a pianist. So it's okay to go at whatever pace comfortable. No need to chase for high distinction. Again, distinction is nice to have. If need practice 2-3 hours daily at the expense of academic results or eating into rest time, then nah, that's not what I desire for my child. Then again, that's just me and my simplistic thinking. Different parents have different priorities
So having degrees or masters do not mean instantly can teach grade 8 with ease. Definitely can play the repertoire with ease, but teaching them to the students is another story. And it is also very much possible to get a brand name teacher and yet it is very ill fit for the child. -
Dreamaurora:
Yahlor, that's why have a total of 6 teachers mah. Teacher hopping during the first 2 years of learning (4 teachers!) till I gained some idea on what to look out for. dd was too young then so I couldn't ask her opinion.
Best teachers I would define as teachers who are highly competent and able to work well with students towards a common goal. One of the issues with most non-musical parents like you is identifying the traits of a good teacher. Yes, you can narrow down the pool by paper qualifications and years of teaching, but you would find it hard to actually analyse if teacher can actually teach and suit your child if you cannot compare to your own previous lessons.
So having degrees or masters do not mean instantly can teach grade 8 with ease. Definitely can play the repertoire with ease, but teaching them to the students is another story. And it is also very much possible to get a brand name teacher and yet it is very ill fit for the child.
The simplest way for me was to start with a reputable music school since I could not assess teacher's quality given my zero music background. Hence, I enrolled dd in Seimpi and subsequently Nafa.
Actually need some luck too. To find a teacher who best fit learning style. Over a 6 years learning period, dd was with the 5th teacher (private teacher) for longest time, almost 3.5 years. 6th teacher 1 year.
Without any music background, I have to rely heavily on dd's opinion. Whatever her assessment of teacher, I would mostly accept wholesale. When she decided to stop lesson with 5th teacher, I agreed readily even though I think 5th teacher is very experienced and a rare find (affordable fees!
) No choice le. dd is the one learning so her opinion takes precedence over mine.
Engaged 6th teacher because she's satisfied with teacher's 'standard' after trial. Also, she's already learning grade 8 with 5th teacher, not a new beginner, so I believe her assessment that 6th teacher is up to her expectation.
Considering her minimum hours of practice and lack of familiarity with scales, her grade 8 result way way exceeded my expectation
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One way how I learned to assess teachers and their teaching is via the video clips available online. I often consult my children’s music teachers or other friends (who are music teachers themselves) on their views on the the techniques as well as style of playing and so forth displayed in the clips. With their helpful comments, my kids and I are learning to be more discerned about good playing.
It is not limited to just youtube videos of music teachers and their students. We also observe how different renowed musicians play and their interpretations of a particular piece of music.
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