All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[caroline3sg]

MMM

I quickly surf the net on robertpiano when I type kawai. I read that the exam board is Trinity Colleage of London.

There are 2 approved exam boards, the other more famous one is ABRSM.


ctct61t
china piano keys are generally hard. It is cheaper. But I doubt it is suitable for higher level exams.

Engaging a tutor is the way to go if one is serious in taking piano. Sch is not flexible if you cannot make it.

[mumwgals]

ctct61t:

Who knows the difference of NAFA's piano course from other schools?

Nafa only takes in student thru audition. Audition is on every May & Nov. Sucessful candidates are expected to complete one grade in 5.5mos from grade 1 to grade 5, and to complete grade 6-8 in 2 & 1/2 yr. Beside to pass the internal exam conducted by Nafa every end of the term, the child is also required to sit for the ABRSM Exam on request by NAFA.

The fees are for 20 lessons of theory (group lesson) & 20 lessons of practical (1-1 lesson), also 3 master classes & internal exam. ABRSM exam fees are excluded. One adult is compulsary to sit in every practical lesson.

The teachers there are demanding but they impart good techniques thus the student are able to complete grade 8 before 10/11 years old.

[gajidouma]

Hi ctct61t

Thanks for the sharing. That’s truly helpful.

[corneyAmber]

Dear all parents,


I am so sorry for mia -ing for so long. I didn't know there are so many posts till chiefkiasu pm me. Thanks Chiefkiasu.

Dear concern mum, I understand that your son has been learning for a few years but he can't read notes. Did he learn from JMC? Or christofori? Because students from there mostly cannot read notes. Reason being, JMC focus on aural skills and christofori have their own system on teaching which i do not wish to comment anything here. If u wish to know me, do pm me.

Dear ctct61t, Nafa trains very well but i heard many students lose their interests as well. Quite a no. of teachers there are very well known but they will reprimand the parents when the child don't practise (this is from one of my friend who sends her child there). In fact one of singapore child prodigy was from there. She nearly lost her interest when she was about 5-6. Luckily her mum withdrawed her in time. I know a lot of students who graduated from there has not touch the piano ever since they pass their grade 8.

As for christofori and ossia, i have some transferred students from there. Just some comments about music schools, there are pros and cons. Pros are like attending a schools, full studios facilities, better concentration then having lessons at home, no disturbance and better learning enviroment. However the cons are, high turnover of teachers, inflexible lesson times, rules and regulations etc.

Dear gajidouma, I do have students who are still in JMC/JXC but also having lessons with me. Normally if the parents can afford, there is no harm learning both as JMC/JXC is very different from individual lessons. But do bear in mind that JMC/JXC is more on music appreciation. They do not focus on note reading and counting till later stage. However by that time, some students might be so used to listening and some are not able to switch. So if u are think of proper lessons. Do start individual lessons asap.

Hope this helps

[corneyAmber]

Kawai brings in Trinity but if you child is there, you can request for ABRSM as well. They are equally recognised but ABRSM is more popular.


Actually, china made pianos are not lasting so try not to get them. However, there is one brand which the parts are from swiss but essemble in shanghai. They even have a model which can use up to diploma. This brand is more reputable.

Engaging a private teacher is definately a better solution if you are thinking of serious learning. Schools are too commercialised. I have a lot of friends teaching in schools and they all only have one aim. Which is to get more private students. Many transferred students and many teachers teaching in schools told me a lot of stories so my recommendation is try not to go for music schools though the fees are cheaper. You pay for what you get.This is what my students' parents told me. From what you save, you might not be able to get back from what your child has suffered there. Of cos this is just a general comment. There are also good teachers in music schools. But as schools are very commercialised, even good teachers can't do much as well. I have a student who is teaching in this school which was mention in one of the post. She recommends students to skip grades but the admin told her not to as the parents will start asking about exams etc.

There are just too many stories to share here. Will wait till next post

[MMM]

Hi,


I want to check if the kids takes private lessons. How are they going to take their exams? Appreciate if you could advise.

Is private lessons a better alternative to classes?

[corneyAmber]

Different teachers do it differently. Some teachers register for their students whereas some will get the students ot their parents to register. Actually registering for you child is easy as online registering is available now. But do get your teacher to register if possible as we do it regularly so we know all the terms and conditions and new updates etc.


As i teaches privately so i would recommend private lessons But of cos there are pros and cons too. Pros are more flexible (for some teachers) and cons are you have to search for the right one for your child.

[ctct61t]

mumwgals:

ctct61t:

Who knows the difference of NAFA's piano course from other schools?

Nafa only takes in student thru audition. Audition is on every May & Nov. Sucessful candidates are expected to complete one grade in 5.5mos from grade 1 to grade 5, and to complete grade 6-8 in 2 & 1/2 yr. Beside to pass the internal exam conducted by Nafa every end of the term, the child is also required to sit for the ABRSM Exam on request by NAFA.

The fees are for 20 lessons of theory (group lesson) & 20 lessons of practical (1-1 lesson), also 3 master classes & internal exam. ABRSM exam fees are excluded. One adult is compulsary to sit in every practical lesson.

The teachers there are demanding but they impart good techniques thus the student are able to complete grade 8 before 10/11 years old.

mumwgals, thank for for sharing.

That's the teaching model I'm expecting, I hope my daughter can have chance to study in Nafa.

Mumwgals, do you know what kind of audition will be taken by Nafa to entre the school? How should student be preparing for the audition?

Thanks a lots.

[mumwgals]

ctct61t:

mumwgals, thank for for sharing.

That's the teaching model I'm expecting, I hope my daughter can have chance to study in Nafa.

Mumwgals, do you know what kind of audition will be taken by Nafa to entre the school? How should student be preparing for the audition?

Thanks a lots.

ctct61t, you are most welcome.

In the audition, the child will be asked to play 1 or 2 short pieces and aural will also be tested. For aural, the teacher will play & asked the child to pitch, by playing or singing. The teacher will also check how far the child's hand can stretch, from one end of the pinky to the other end of the thumb, as in how many keys the child's hand can cover when stretched. If your child is selected after the audition, a teacher will be assigned to you and you will meet the teacher on the orientation day. There are china teachers but most of them speak simple english. Most of the grade 1 piano student in Nafa are between 5 - 6yo. There are alot of china students there, and they are very hard working.

If your child is selected, be prepared to put in alot of effort. You need lots of paitient and discipline. You must be prepared that your child will receive STRICT teaching, it is definitely not like the teachers outside. The Nafa teachers are pretty demanding, children cried during or after the lesson is common. The child are expected to master the skills taught in the previous lesson by next lesson. As there are only 20 lessons for practical, the child will do czerny and the 3 exam pieces. Techniques are train by playing the czerny pieces, finger strength & flexibility. Appreciation are on the 3 exam pieces. There are also parents who engaged another piano teacher outside for repertoire playing beside attending nafa class. For nafa students, they practise at least 1 to 2hr a day.

[ctct61t]

mumwgals:

In the audition, the child will be asked to play 1 or 2 short pieces and aural will also be tested. For aural, the teacher will play & asked the child to pitch, by playing or singing. The teacher will also check how far the child's hand can stretch, from one end of the pinky to the other end of the thumb, as in how many keys the child's hand can cover when stretched. If your child is selected after the audition, a teacher will be assigned to you and you will meet the teacher on the orientation day. There are china teachers but most of them speak simple english. Most of the grade 1 piano student in Nafa are between 5 - 6yo. There are alot of china students there, and they are very hard working.

If your child is selected, be prepared to put in alot of effort. You need lots of paitient and discipline. You must be prepared that your child will receive STRICT teaching, it is definitely not like the teachers outside. The Nafa teachers are pretty demanding, children cried during or after the lesson is common. The child are expected to master the skills taught in the previous lesson by next lesson. As there are only 20 lessons for practical, the child will do czerny and the 3 exam pieces. Techniques are train by playing the czerny pieces, finger strength & flexibility. Appreciation are on the 3 exam pieces. There are also parents who engaged another piano teacher outside for repertoire playing beside attending nafa class. For nafa students, they practise at least 1 to 2hr a day.

Dear mumwgals， thank you so much.

During the audition, the play pieces are assigned by Nafa or prepared by ourself? Don't know how is the chances a child will be selected.I will register for Nov's audition, hope my daughter will get the chance.