All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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Hi,
Could you share with me, which is to take first for exam grade 1 : Practical or Theory exam ?
Thanks -
Logistically, one can do both Practical AND theory within the same month if they opt for the earlier exam sessions (see below for more details) but many of my students choose not to go for this option as they get very stressed up sitting for 2 exams back to back.
ABRSM EXAM SESSIONS
There are two sessions for PRACTICAL exams every year: Feb/Mar; Jul-Sept
and two sessions for THEORY exams: Mar and Oct/Nov
The dates for theory exams, including time are pre-stipulated. Upon registration, the dates would already be known. What remains unknown will be the exam venues.
Having shared, I personally think a lot depends on the readiness of your child (eg. how well he copes with exams, his familiarity with the syllabus, any other major school commitments during the period, etc.). Ideally, the two should be taken not too far apart as theoretical and practical knowledge are complementary.
Hope this helps.
smile:
Hi,
Could you share with me, which is to take first for exam grade 1 : Practical or Theory exam ?
Thanks -
May I know where do they take the exams?
ilovepiano:
Logistically, one can do both Practical AND theory within the same month if they opt for the earlier exam sessions (see below for more details) but many of my students choose not to go for this option as they get very stressed up sitting for 2 exams back to back.
ABRSM EXAM SESSIONS
There are two sessions for PRACTICAL exams every year: Feb/Mar; Jul-Sept
and two sessions for THEORY exams: Mar and Oct/Nov
The dates for theory exams, including time are pre-stipulated. Upon registration, the dates would already be known. What remains unknown will be the exam venues.
Having shared, I personally think a lot depends on the readiness of your child (eg. how well he copes with exams, his familiarity with the syllabus, any other major school commitments during the period, etc.). Ideally, the two should be taken not too far apart as theoretical and practical knowledge are complementary.
Hope this helps.smile:
Hi,
Could you share with me, which is to take first for exam grade 1 : Practical or Theory exam ?
Thanks -
All over Singapore
Mostly in music schools tho' some do take it at community clubs and young musician's society which has designated studios for exams. -
ilovepiano:
All over Singapore
Mostly in music schools tho' some do take it at community clubs and young musician's society which has designated studios for exams.
Understand for practical, the exam board will assign the child to the nearest exam centre based on address. My gals's teacher's address is on a different part of the island hence was advised to register on my own for convenience.
For theory, think it is a centralised venue at SMU so address does not matter. -
compvale:
No, the theory exams are at various centres around Singapore. eg. Suntec city convention halls, school halls, hotel & business meeting rooms, etc, etc, just to name a few.
For theory, think it is a centralised venue at SMU so address does not matter.
As for practical exam studios, you can actually request for a certain area(altho' not the exact studio) when you register online but then, the studio they assign you - really up to your luck. eg. we were given an exam studio in the next town when we have one in our neighbourhood *sigh*. And the one given was quite a lousy studio, altho' ABRSM says it is within their standard (which must be quite low standards, then). -
sleepy:
Sleep,
Sigh... a good teacher is so hard to find, like digging for diamond
My dd is with her 4th teacher and I'm searching for her 5th
Keep trying, it's worth it. Years back, I changed 3 teachers in 6 months others thought that I didn't give the teachers a chance. We need to travel for lesson, lesson is only 0.5 to 1 hour. We need to make the lesson count.
I've some friends who recommend Manderville at Novena area. I think at the end, it's not about which music school, it's the teacher you get. Best to get recommendation and request for the teacher directly. We use Yamaha once and they assign a male Malaysian who just 'process' my daughter lesson like SOP. We left after 2 months.
To me, a good teacher is one who plans and charts the course for our kid's music education. My dd piano teacher sat down with me and dh and ask us what was our plan for her. Both of us not music people so we told her to do the planning and we help in dd's time management.
Good Luck! -
ilovepiano:
All over Singapore
Mostly in music schools tho' some do take it at community clubs and young musician's society which has designated studios for exams.
ilovepiano,
My dd has just finished grade6. the actual plan was for her to do grade8 when she's in p6 but that's the year she has to be very involve in SYF band competition and also there's PSLE. I feel very stressed by this idea.
My question is, what's the point of finishing grade8 before they reach Sec Sch? Is it because they have less time and more distraction then. Or is it because of this MEP thing which I still haven't get to learn about. I wonder if it's good to escalate their piano learning as they may not have the maturity to express the pieces well. Wouldn't the kids do better for higher grade when they are older.
Can't get her to quit band as she finds the experience of the camaraderie there invaluable.
I've discussed this with her teacher and other parents, just want to hear your opinion and advise.
Thanks! -
ilovepiano,
My dd has just finished grade6. the actual plan was for her to do grade8 when she's in p6 but that's the year she has to be very involve in SYF band competition and also there's PSLE. I feel very stressed by this idea.
[i]Feeling stressed about it doesn't sound very ideal. Firstly, how does your dd feel about this? It's important to take into consideration her feelings cos' ultimately, she'll be the one sitting for the exam. Does she look to you for advice or is she the independent sort that can make decisions on her own and stick to it? Is she the sort that will commit once she says 'yes'?
Secondly, I will think about the preparation viz her standards. Will her teacher be able to prep her securely for the G8 exam in time? Even more importantly, will she be able to grasp the skills/technique, etc. needed firmly?
Thirdly, can your dd cope with multiple stresses?Some students thrive on productive stresses, while others don't.
Fourthly, does she have sufficient time to revise and practice what has been taught esp when she gets to P6? Don't forget G8 is also just as an important exam as PSLE.
In summary, I firmly believe that students must be fully prepared before they go for any exams, both mentally and physically. Each student is different, not just in terms of their strengths/weaknesses, but it's also very important to take into consideration their interests, school and any outside commitments. Exams should not be seen as the be-all-end-all. It's a platform to affirm their practical/theoretical standards. My advice to parents have always been: go for it when you are ready. No point rushing.
My question is, what's the point of finishing grade8 before they reach Sec Sch? Is it because they have less time and more distraction then. Or is it because of this MEP thing which I still haven't get to learn about. I wonder if it's good to escalate their piano learning as they may not have the maturity to express the pieces well. Wouldn't the kids do better for higher grade when they are older.
Take it at the pace of the student, and don't artifically hasten the process, unless, of course, if the student displays exceptional aptitude otherwise. Absolutely agree with you on the point on emotional maturity. Musical sensitivities is important if one wants to do well for higher grades. Some students that i have, possess these qualities, even though they are rather young tho' in general, such display of emotional sensitivities come with age and over time.
Hope this helps. These are just some of my personal opinions.[/i]
Can't get her to quit band as she finds the experience of the camaraderie there invaluable.
I've discussed this with her teacher and other parents, just want to hear your opinion and advise.
Thanks![/quote]
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Faun:
Why ask her to quit band? It's good experience and training.
My question is, what's the point of finishing grade8 before they reach Sec Sch? Is it because they have less time and more distraction then. Or is it because of this MEP thing which I still haven't get to learn about. I wonder if it's good to escalate their piano learning as they may not have the maturity to express the pieces well. Wouldn't the kids do better for higher grade when they are older.
Can't get her to quit band as she finds the experience of the camaraderie there invaluable.
Finishing gr 8 before sec sch is advantageous simply bc the kids are so busy with projects and assignments in sec school ! Nothing to do with MEP - the requirements to do MEP is very low. Only like gr 3 !!!.
MEP brochure (by MOE):
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/elective-programmes/files/music-elective-programme.pdf
Of course if your child is not able to do gr 8 by pri 5, then why bother to try and rush it, right?
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