Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[smurf]

Hmm, my boy's teacher very quiet kind leh, must ask and ask, then he will talk, usually, go into classroom, take out violin, start teaching, never say anything more unless got question, dun volunteer to talk more also...sigh... :?

[phankao]

chamonix:

Hi phankao,


Have you managed to find a violin teacher for your youngest son?

phankao:

He did his Grade 4 exam that year then and his gr 8 exam 3.5years after that.

You mean there's no need for Grade 5? I was under the impression the student must clear Grade 5 practical before doing higher level?

No need. You only need grade 5 theory(not practical) before you can do any of the grades 6 to 8. You need grade 8 to do diploma (ABRSM). But...if you are doing Trinity Board exams, no need theory, no need grade 8 .... voila! haah. You can really go straight to ATCL diploma exam bc no requirements.

[phankao]

chamonix:

Most students need exams to push them on in the learning journey..

I discovered that my younger son was this way, so I've since insisted that he take exams every year. He's doing chinese instrument though, but the motivation to work hard for him comes from genuine assessments(exams, for instance), and he has thus progressed well.

[metz]

phankao:

No need. You only need grade 5 theory(not practical) before you can do any of the grades 6 to 8. You need grade 8 to do diploma (ABRSM). But...if you are doing Trinity Board exams, no need theory, no need grade 8 .... voila! haah. You can really go straight to ATCL diploma exam bc no requirements.

Now I understand. No wonder my piano teacher insisted that I let my kids continue with theory even when we are overseas.

[smurf]

Just want to know, which school did u put your children in when they first started out? :?

[metz]

My kids were formerly with the Suzuki Association of Singapore @ Jurong Crestar. The Association no longer exists. Instead it’s simply a part of Crestar now.


Your son is 6 going 7, right? You may want to consider a switch to Classical Violin instead of continuing Suzuki Violin. He’s old enough for sight reading.

[smurf]

He is with crestar too, but different branch, and different teacher. Youris Mr Kang right?


He is not 6 yet, going to 6 next week, haha…coz he is dec bb…

[metz]

You can consider yourself lucky. Some parents with Jan babies have to try ways and means to get their kids start school one year earlier.


Anyway, not to worry. Kids born in December don't necessary mean they will be at a losing end. My niece who is an end-Dec baby did well enough to join the 2nd top class in her school.

For violin, Mr Kang started on note reading with my gal at a much younger age, 4+ years old. I am glad he did so cos I realised my girl had a strong tendency to play by ear than sight. Still, I feel she tends to rely more on hearing when playing violin. But for piano, she will sight read instead. Think it has become a habit for her.

How long has your son with the current teacher?

[smurf]

I notice that my boy also play by ear, I guess it's normal? :?


He is very poor in sight reading.

He is with the current teacher for slightly less than 5 mths, starting this aug only.

[metz]

Yes, it is normal for a Suzuki trained kid to play by ear. In fact, that’s the way it should be.


But, I feel the Suzuki teaching is more suitable for younger children who have yet to learn to read or unable to read notes. As a child progresses to more difficult and longer pieces, sight reading is important as well.

Since your son is still at Book 1, it is easier for him to pick up the note-reading now. If you are intending for him to take ABRSM exams, then sight read is very important.