All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[bunnybluey]

sembgal:

I had a chat with a boss of a private music school registered with MOE. He shared with me that when he gets teachers to come in for the interviews, they have good paper qualification but yet unable to show him some of the techniques required. He shared that a piano teacher who has distinctions for her exam may not necessarily be a good teacher because that person has been drilled to master the exam pieces till to perfection and neglect the other areas that to him are necessary to be a good piano teacher. It was an eye-opener.

I think it applies to all types of \"teacher\", not just piano. A school teacher who has good grades all the way may not necessarily be a good teacher even if the person undergoes NIE training to do teaching, other types of teachers are not as fortunate to have such an institution to train the teachers on how to teach. In our younger generation, many are drilled to excel/master in their studies & whatever enrichments that they took on, & other areas even as basic as such as how to be a responsible person are being neglected.

[Dreamaurora]

bunnybluey:

sembgal:

I had a chat with a boss of a private music school registered with MOE. He shared with me that when he gets teachers to come in for the interviews, they have good paper qualification but yet unable to show him some of the techniques required. He shared that a piano teacher who has distinctions for her exam may not necessarily be a good teacher because that person has been drilled to master the exam pieces till to perfection and neglect the other areas that to him are necessary to be a good piano teacher. It was an eye-opener.

I think it applies to all types of \"teacher\", not just piano. A school teacher who has good grades all the way may not necessarily be a good teacher even if the person undergoes NIE training to do teaching, other types of teachers are not as fortunate to have such an institution to train the teachers on how to teach. In our younger generation, many are drilled to excel/master in their studies & whatever enrichments that they took on, & other areas even as basic as such as how to be a responsible person are being neglected.

Anyone who studies music seriously will most likely find themselves reliant on teaching for their livelihoods. I find it very strange that the full time music courses at YST, NAFA, and Lasalle scarcely offer any training to prepare their students for this eventuality. Hence we end up with highly proficient performers who are ill equipped to teach upon graduating. But at least the playing standard is there, the trick is to figure out how to impart that same standard to the students.

[huaywenandkenneth]

The focus of a person who studies music seriously at those institutions you mentioned is first and foremost be a performer, then a teacher (you can’t be playing all the time and get paid for it, and there are just many talented players out there). It will be different if you are say, on an moe music teaching scholarship.

If you are looking for a teacher with some pedagogy, ask if the diploma or degree he/she has is for music performing or for music teaching. With the latter, at least there will be some coverage of teaching pedagogy. Alternatively, go for an experienced teacher. Usually the best teachers are not the top players, but they do play reasonably well.

I am not in favourite of Grade 8 teaching Grades 6-8, or fresh Diploma teaching Grade 8 and Diplomas. It is like asking a P6 to teach a P5, or a Sec 4 to teach another Sec 4. JMHO.

[ipiano1980]

I agree on huaywenandkenneth especially about fresh Grade 8s teaching Grade 8s, as well as, fresh Dip holders teaching Diploma immediately. To me I think they would be lacking for the student.


Also, a teacher who has only done Performance diplomas/degrees and decide to teach immediately, there are plenty of pedagogy books out there to resource and get that start that you need. There are of course fresh graduates who have that natural inborn talent and ability to already know how to communicate their ideas and teach.

[Dreamaurora]

ipiano1980:

I agree on huaywenandkenneth especially about fresh Grade 8s teaching Grade 8s, as well as, fresh Dip holders teaching Diploma immediately. To me I think they would be lacking for the student.


Also, a teacher who has only done Performance diplomas/degrees and decide to teach immediately, there are plenty of pedagogy books out there to resource and get that start that you need. There are of course fresh graduates who have that natural inborn talent and ability to already know how to communicate their ideas and teach.

I think anyone who is serious about grade 8s and Diplomas will probably find a teacher who is more established. Perhaps the only reasons why students may settle for lesser qualified teachers would be because of cost issue.

There are many pedagogy books out there, yes, but the question is where to start? I feel the best approach is to make sure there is a mentor guide. Too many teachers treat their Diplomas/Degrees as the ends of their learning journeys. This is why they remain stagnant over the years.

[ipiano1980]

Yup i agree.

[Power Puff]

Hello. I have a child in K2 this year and am looking for a piano teacher in the Thomson, Bishan and Ang Mok Kio area. I don’t mind taking my child to the teacher’s home/studio. Is there a piano teacher you would highly recommend, someone strict, yet patient and kindly? Please pm me. My child has gone for trial lessons but the teachers/ time slots weren’t suitable. Thanks in advance.

[Katetay]

hi all,


i would like to know if there is any good piano teacher to intro me?
i stay sengkang so would prefer nearby up to kovan.
my gal is 6years old.


thank in advance

[Lee Choy Fong]

Hello,


You can contact me at 91773290 for more details.

[kellytang]

Katetay:

hi all,


i would like to know if there is any good piano teacher to intro me?
i stay sengkang so would prefer nearby up to kovan.
my gal is 6years old.


thank in advance

Hi I have sent you a pm, tks.

:rahrah: Kelly