All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[jonathanlimgr]

Hello everyone,


I am full-time music teacher who teaches both piano (recreational to diploma level) and music theory (grade 1-8).

Some of my notable musical accomplishments include:
1st prize winner of the 2001 National Piano & Violin Competition (Junior category) at age 10
obtained grade 8 (with distinction) in music theory at age 11
obtained LRSM (with distinction) in piano performing at age 14
performed as a concerto soloist with Singapore Symphony Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall at age 15
served NS as the keyboardist and arranger for the String Ensemble and Band at SAF Music & Drama Company
was the official pianist for National Day Parade 2012, recording backing tracks, and performing the national day theme song and and solo segments in Acts I and IV at the Marina Bay Floating Platform, in front of a physical and TV audience

I teach from my spacious and purpose-built air-conditioned music studio in Upper Serangoon, fully equipped with:
2 pianos - an upright piano and a full length grand piano
a table for music theory work
a bookshelf with music reference books
a large couch for students' parents who choose to sit in for the lesson
a comfortable waiting area for students who arrive early for their lessons, or students waiting for their parents

Free parking is available just outside the premises and NEX shopping mall/Serangoon MRT is just 800m away

For more information about me, please refer to my website: http://jonathanlimguanrong.wixsite.com/music

I can be contacted via private messages here or (preferrably) via the contact form on my website

Thank you for reading and have a good day!

Kind regards,
Jonathan Lim
LRSM (piano performing, distinction), Grade 8 Theory (distinction)
website: jonathanlimguanrong.wixsite.com/music

[Cloud Cloud]

Todate, my six year old daughter has attended 8 piano lessons. She has completed John Thomson part 1 and will be starting part 2 the next lesson. I practised with her ever day for half an hour. Is her progress considered reasonable? I am planning for her to take grade 1 exam in April 2019. Is this achievable? Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Dreamaurora]

Cloud Cloud:

Todate, my six year old daughter has attended 8 piano lessons. She has completed John Thomson part 1 and will be starting part 2 the next lesson. I practised with her ever day for half an hour. Is her progress considered reasonable? I am planning for her to take grade 1 exam in April 2019. Is this achievable? Thanks in advance for any comments.

Certainly achievable if she progresses the way you describe it. Though in my opinion that it is not necessary to take the actual Grade 1 exam. I am of the opinion that it is better to just let children develop their love for music along with proper technical foundation without the constraints of preparing for exams at the early stage.

[shuangbaoma]

Have one headache question. My Son does not like piano at all. He always want to change to a different music instrument! Please help me to suggest a place where he can try some instrument and choose one he will select.

I will ask him to keep one year if make a decision

[shuangbaoma]

Have one headache question. My Son does not like piano at all. He always want to change to a different music instrument! Please help me to suggest a place where he can try some instrument and choose one he will select.

I will ask him to keep one year if make a decision

[zac's mum]

shuangbaoma:

Have one headache question. My Son does not like piano at all. He always want to change to a different music instrument! Please help me to suggest a place where he can try some instrument and choose one he will select.

I will ask him to keep one year if make a decision

Does your son have any particular instrument in mind? Some boys like drums, it helps them vent their anger/frustration in a legitimate way haha...

My boy very strongly wanted to change from piano to violin. That was after I brought him to several SSO concerts for children. His interest in violin was sparked that way. I simply went to a renowned violin school and picked a random teacher and paid for a trial lesson. After the trial, son liked it and promised me to commit to regular practice. It has been almost 1 year already and he’s still loving it.

If your boy is really no clue which instrument at all, you can give Aureus Academy’s holiday course a try: https://aureusacademy.com/aureus-explorer-programme

For wind instruments, you can try Flute and Music Academy: http://fama.com.sg/index.html

Oh by the way, if he’s in primary school and his school has a concert band/symphonic band CCA, you can let him join that. They will have an opportunity to learn either woodwind/brass/percussion instrument.

[Maple Oak]

zac's mum:

Does your son have any particular instrument in mind? Some boys like drums, it helps them vent their anger/frustration in a legitimate way haha...

Really good advice zac's mum!
Speaking of venting anger/frustration in a legitimate way, maybe instead of music lessons, one could go the martial arts route, judo, etc...

[Sallyting74]

1st one, didn’t take interest, waste of money really. Second one took interest at a young age, so sent her for piano lessons, still enjoying it now!

[Hydrate02]

My 6yo has been learning piano 1-1 for 6 months. Thgh she is not adversed to lessons and practising, she doesnt seem v eager about it too (same for other enrichment that she is gg). My purpose of sending her is to train her concentration skills. Now she is practising on a hand me down keyboard. Progress is slow cos she cannot focus. Will been reading up alot and also wondering if i shld get a second hand Kawai / Yahama or a brand new Hailun.


Parents / teachers, any advice?

[zac's mum]

Hydrate02:

My 6yo has been learning piano 1-1 for 6 months. Thgh she is not adversed to lessons and practising, she doesnt seem v eager about it too (same for other enrichment that she is gg). My purpose of sending her is to train her concentration skills. Now she is practising on a hand me down keyboard. Progress is slow cos she cannot focus. Will been reading up alot and also wondering if i shld get a second hand Kawai / Yahama or a brand new Hailun.


Parents / teachers, any advice?

Is she able to focus when she does other activities? Or is it just limited to piano?

Because frankly, if she is able to focus when she’s doing other things she likes (eg maybe art and craft?) but not for piano, then it’s pretty obvious her interest is not there. Is the teacher letting her play fun songs like Frozen theme song? That may help. But if still doesn’t help, then it’s probably time to cut your losses instead of investing a big lump sum into a piano now.