All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

Oh My Gosh:

Learning music for interest is very important ... it is this love that push the kids to continue...

Hmm, it's actually quite a bit more complex than that.

The initial stage of learning generally students will be more enthusiastic as excitement of picking up a new instrument drives them. Songs are catchy and easy to learn. Lessons may be fun-filled with games too.

It's when they cross over to the intermediate grades that they may lose interest. The songs get tougher, longer, and more abstract. They may still love to listen to the music, but slogging hours over many weeks just to learn Fur Elise is a less attractive prospect compared to say, playing Minecraft or Whatsapping their friends. This is where the students need to have that own personal desire to excel. From my own experience, students who generally willing to prepare higher grades are naturally competitive in academics also. The teacher also plays an important part here by continue to be encouraging and making sure the difficulties do not overwhelm the students.

[Dreamaurora]

pirate:

Does it get more fun beyond Grade 8?

Haha, the practicing part is definitely not so fun.

For piano, really, the majority of the popular and recognisable repertoire are found beyond grade 8. You can just see for example the list of pieces set for piano Diplomas by ABRSM, it is significantly longer compared to the other instruments.

For violin, the majority of the repertoire is actually below grade 8. So a grade 8 violinist can pretty much play most of the famous violin pieces.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

Oh My Gosh:

Learning music for interest is very important ... it is this love that push the kids to continue...

Hmm, it's actually quite a bit more complex than that.

The initial stage of learning generally students will be more enthusiastic as excitement of picking up a new instrument drives them. Songs are catchy and easy to learn. Lessons may be fun-filled with games too.

It's when they cross over to the intermediate grades that they may lose interest. The songs get tougher, longer, and more abstract. They may still love to listen to the music, but slogging hours over many weeks just to learn

Yup, grade 5 seems to be a hurdle for most.
dd's very first piano teacher told us many students gave up at grade 5.

dd's interest also waned around grade 5. Not that she doesn't like music anymore but practicing the pieces became kind of mechanical, playing the same note over and over again to meet teacher's expectation. Not fun at all la

[sleepy]

pirate:

Does it get more fun beyond Grade 8?

I think it's fun, if no more exam
Can't imagine Diploma exam to be fun


Now dd only plays leisurely. English pop/movies songs such as Frozen, Star Wars
Chinese 流行歌曲 such as Jay Chou's as well as my karaoke list so that I get to sing along when she plays. Definitely fun for me

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

far fewer students actually get serious beyond grade 8.

Unless a child has keen interests and aspires to pursue music degree or music path professionally

Otherwise there's no real need to 'get serious' beyond grade 8
Plus the demand of secondary school/JC - long hours, juggling CCA and many examinable subjects
Only 24 hours a day. Might be more worthwhile to spend time studying. This is after all Singapore, academic takes precedence

[Oh My Gosh]

pirate:

Does it get more fun beyond Grade 8?

Is that a question or a sarcasm :? :rahrah: haha... I dun think Diploma is more fun

[FantasyLandDreams]

Is it a must to pass grade 8 practical before a candidate can take the diploma exam?

[cse1217]

FantasyLandDreams:

Is it a must to pass grade 8 practical before a candidate can take the diploma exam?

Nope. For trinity diploma's exam, it's not a requirement. However, to pass diploma is not easy as well. Benefit of going forward with learning diploma pieces instead of retaking grade 8 will be to have more time to master the diploma pieces.

[cse1217]

Oh My Gosh:

pirate:

Does it get more fun beyond Grade 8?

Is that a question or a sarcasm :? :rahrah: haha... I dun think Diploma is more fun

Haha. I agree that diploma is not more fun. But I do know of people who takes learning piano as a challenge. The more challenge they get, the more fun they think it is.

[Dreamaurora]

FantasyLandDreams:

Is it a must to pass grade 8 practical before a candidate can take the diploma exam?

For DipABRSM, yes, need to pass Grade 8. For the Teaching Diploma, there is additional requirement of grade 6 theory.

For ATCL, LTCL, no prerequisite at all, even a toddler can register for the Diplomas.

For DipLCM and ALCM, no practical grade required, but need to pass grade 5 Theory.