All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

sleepy:

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.

How do you define best teachers?

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

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.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

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.

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.

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

[metz2]

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.

[metz2]

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'

As the kids grow older, parents' involvement/background are less crucial as compared to when the kids were preschoolers or younger. If the child is disciplined and have strong passion in music, he or she will naturally work towards achieving greater heights on his/her own without the parents' close involvement.

[sleepy]

metz2:

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 on the clips. With their helpful comments, my kids and I are learning to be more discerned about good playing.

For piano, I can't tell.

For strings, very obvious to me. dd1 played horribly during home practice. Unbearable squeaking sound that was plain torture to listen to. I reached melting point one day, couldn't take it anymore :frustrated: and switched her teacher. A newbie Yong Siew Toh graduate. dd was one of that teacher's very first few students. Inexperienced never mind. Immediate result. Wahlah, finally I could throw my ear plugs away. I almost wanted to hug teacher for saving me from misery :rotflmao:

[metz2]

royivybaby:

hi, need help

I approached a piano teacher to ask if she is keen to learn my girl 3.3 yo music. she asked me to send her a video of my girl playing a song when I told her my girl was with seimpi mim program since 18 months.
after seeing the video she said my girl lacked of foundation which made me a little upset. .

Hi royivybaby,

I hope this article by Dorothy Chia will give you an idea (and comfort) what to expect from the piano learning journey.

http://fortemusictraining.blogspot.sg/p ... g.html?m=1

[Oh My Gosh]

One of my friend recommend me this piano tutor with "BMUS CTAABRSM" behind her name. What does this mean since I knows nothing about music. How much will a piano teacher at this standard charge typically (trying to assess if her fees are reasonable)?

[Dreamaurora]

Oh My Gosh:

One of my friend recommend me this piano tutor with \"BMUS CTAABRSM\" behind her name. What does this mean since I knows nothing about music. How much will a piano teacher at this standard charge typically (trying to assess if her fees are reasonable)?

BMus - Bachelor of Music w/o Honors.
CTABRSM - Certificate of Teaching ABRSM.

BMus is obviously only acquired after completion of full time music study. CTABRSM is the basic teaching certificate offered after completing an official course by ABRSM. CTABRSM holders can then move on forward to acquire DipABRSM (Teaching) privately.

The market rate for a piano teacher like this will probably depend on her track record and years of teaching. I have slightly higher qualifications than this teacher, so you may use my fees as benchmark.

[waiyean]

All these post grade 8 studies are so confusing. Are there any websites that shows what are the various programs available? What are your recommendations for someone who want to do a music degree in future, but waiting for age to catch up?

[Dreamaurora]

waiyean:

All these post grade 8 studies are so confusing. Are there any websites that shows what are the various programs available? What are your recommendations for someone who want to do a music degree in future, but waiting for age to catch up?

Don't think so there is a website/blog explaining all the various diplomas, but I can make one when I am freer.

Personally, I think for anyone wanting to make serious career in this field should be certified equally in both performance and teaching.

Best solution would be a full time degree/masters in performance and then one of the Teaching Diplomas. There are also Theory Diplomas if the teacher wants to focus on teaching advanced theory.

Since your daughter still young and got time to practice, just go for those performance Dips and theory Dips first. And acquire as much repertoire from the Dip lists as much as possible.