All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[waterfall]

Hi, pianojazzy


My 5 yrs old gal just started her piano lession a month ago. It seems teacher do not correct her posture & finger position in each lesson. Is it normal that teacher didn’t place great emphasis on posture & finger position for beginner? Tks.

[corneyAmber]

Hi Waterfall,


By right the teacher should correct the posture and finger position. However there might be some reasons why the teacher didn’t do it. Do talk to the teacher to see if she has her reasons or she overlook it.

[GreenQ]

pianojazzy:

Actually for those who are not very sure or not willing to invest in the beginning, i recommend them to get one keyboard from giant or carrefour. Giant sells 49 keys from $20 onwards. Better then to buy a brand new keyboard from yamaha which cost from 400+.


But of cos, it can only last for a while as it does not have the same touch as piano and it is not good for foundation.

Whether the learning is serious or just to try out, it is still very important to have good foundation as one might not know what is the final outcome of it

Unless you are really sure you don't want to go for exam and only learning pop and for leisure. Then a keyboard is fine. However, it is still not good for foundation n technics. And the tone and touch is also different.

Hence in my point of view, it is still better to get a piano after sometime. Most of my students who started with keyboard will eventually get one after a couple of months especially when their parents can see that they are interested and doing well

Hope this helps

Hi pianojazzy,
I juz registered for my gal (4yr4mths - K1) a music course. Im thinking to buy a keyboard first. I want to know whether a keyboard is ok to be used till she starts in grade 1 piano class?? If so, then at leastt how many keys of keyboard is advisable?

TIA...

[corneyAmber]

Hi GreenQ,


Care to share which music course it is? So that i can advise further.

Generally a keyboard can last for a few months only as they will need to build on finger technique. However that is for 1-1 as the pace if faster. For group lessons, generally the pace is slower hence will be able to last longer but try not to use till grade 1 as it will really affect the finger touch and technique etc.

[waterfall]

pianojazzy:

Hi Waterfall,


By right the teacher should correct the posture and finger position. However there might be some reasons why the teacher didn't do it. Do talk to the teacher to see if she has her reasons or she overlook it.

tks

[GreenQ]

pianojazzy:

Hi GreenQ,


Care to share which music course it is? So that i can advise further.

Generally a keyboard can last for a few months only as they will need to build on finger technique. However that is for 1-1 as the pace if faster. For group lessons, generally the pace is slower hence will be able to last longer but try not to use till grade 1 as it will really affect the finger touch and technique etc.

Thx pianojazzy.. Initially I thought can use keyboard for 2 yrs... hah.

I registered her at Musikinder ArtSkool in Yishun. Heard it b4? If so kindly give some comments especially their plan for students...

She will start at KeySteps 1 (then steps 2,3,A, B, C)at group appreciation level b4 proceed to 1-1 classik standard exam module (grade 1-8) after 2 yrs.

Im not sure whether she will continue to learn piano. So thinking to invest in keyboard 1st... hehe.

Btw... few more qtns... 1) is it ok or too long to learn in group appreciation level for 2 yrs? I know it shd depends on the kid. But generally is it ok for the sch to plan like that for a kid? Or its common to do so?

2) my gal is 4 yrs 4mths now - K1 student. Is it ok to let her starts in 1-1 w/o attending any group appreciation level?

3)What is the benefit & disadvantage to start in group appreciation level compare to start with 1-1 w/o attending group level? I mean fr the point of view of my gal.

The sch said I can register my gal in individual level too. But I decided to let her start with group appreciation level. Not sure whether I would have made a right decision? :roll:

[corneyAmber]

1) You don’t have to let her learn for 2 yrs if you think its too long. As and when u feel that she is at a faster or slower pace then other students in the group then maybe you would like to pull her out. Music appreciation is just for them to enjoy and cultivate the interest.


2) It is ok to start 1-1 at her age. Music appreciation can still be included in the 1-1 lesson. Just that she will miss out having fun with other kids

3) Group lessons is more fun for them. Not so much on formal lessons. 1-1 is more serious learning and at her pace. So if she is faster, she can progress faster etc.

[GreenQ]

Many thanks to piaonjazzy!

[corneyAmber]

You are most welcome

[barney]

Need some advice here from parents with kids learning piano.


Any idea what’s the ideal age for the kids to make an attempt for the theory or practical exams? I’m not sure if 6 or 7 is the right age to start them with exams as it may kill their interest in learning or is there a right age at all? I have a friend who told me not to start too early as kids that young will not know how to handle exams, especially if they have not gone through exams at all in school. Any advice or any one can share the age of their kids taking the grade 1 practical and theory exams would be much appreciated.