Yamaha Junior Music Course (JMC) - Discussion
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Busymom:
Can't quite remember, let me check first and revert. I only remember that she is Ms Tan ( Thomson Plaza ) but that is not very helpful. :oops:
Could I ask acforfamily who was your son's teacher in the first 2-year of YMC? You could PM me if you prefer. Thanks!
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http://www.musicbookstrade.blogspot.com/ -
Agreed with actorfamily, i uses reward system as well. It actually helps
Exam should be done in discretion. It is used as a benchmark as to where the child stand etc. However, i do have students who still wants to learn piano but refuse to practise other repetoire other then exam pieces. Hence for these children, they have to go for exam every grade in order to progress.
Exams should be seen differently for different children as they are individual.
There is this sch which is very results and exam orientated. They required students to clear 2 grades 1 yr. Masterclass every term etc. Students are often humilated and ask to leave if they do not form the cream of the crops. This is really not good for the child as for such a young age, they have to faced all these competition, stress and humilation etc. Even for those who stayed till they completed grade 8, they sweared they will never touch the piano again. Very saddening.
However, being children themselves, most of them won't know what they want either. Hence most of the children give up is because of laziness, refuse to commit the time to practise. After that, they might regret and wanted ti pick it up again. This is a good sign but how much money and time is wasted?
In my point of view, right from the very 1st lesson, students should cultivate the habit of practising everyday. After some time, they understand that it is a must to do it, just like eating, sleeping etc.
When music is already part of them, they will not tend to give up easily and everything fit in nicely eventually. -
[quote]Each kid is different and progress at different speed. Key thing is to let them progress at the speed that their interest is sustained or enhanced and not destroyed. I am a keen believer of doing what you like and you will never find that as a chore. [/quote]
I agree with this statement. However, since I have zero knowledged on piano, how can I know that my child needs a faster learning phase or slower or the phase is just right.
I know this sounds weird as it was just last week that I commented my child is at his level. However during the weekend, just realize that the class has not completed learning a song (it's a combination of slur and staccato to be played together) and he has completed the song, plus another one.
Used to be having problem to get him practice on the keyboard daily. But ever since the piano arrived last week, he has been practising daily without any intervention on my part. I guess must be the novelty of a new equipment? Any suggestion? -
Snowz, no harm stopping exams to build on repertoire and style as it is v impt for higher grade and if also taking grade 6-8 theory.
EN, i agree when having a new piano, the child will show more interest. Hence whatever you need to enforce on, it is good to start now -
EN:
[quote]Each kid is different and progress at different speed. Key thing is to let them progress at the speed that their interest is sustained or enhanced and not destroyed. I am a keen believer of doing what you like and you will never find that as a chore.
I agree with this statement. However, since I have zero knowledged on piano, how can I know that my child needs a faster learning phase or slower or the phase is just right. [/quote]I am only able to speak from my personal experience and observation. For progress, I guess the most direct way is to ask the teacher. For my kid, I had the chance to sit in with him for 2 years during the lesson time
(yes, in Yamaha course) and instead of spending time like most parents do (ie taking down notes and memorising the memory singing), I simply observed how my kid learns, whether he understands what was being taught and mostly, having fun and encouraging him along the way. After (roughly) 1 year, you will notice the speed or progress of each individual is usually pretty obvious (since class size is small anyway). For the fast learners, you will notice that they will need minimum practise to play the song, identify notes effortlessly, simply just remember the memory singing without additional coaching, able to confidently answer teachers' questions, can almost always identify the right note just by listening etc etc.
By the way, I have ZERO music training too.
As for gauging interest, for me it's the easiest part. My kid needs no prompting to go to the piano by himself (no not daily but at least once a week), does not want to miss or being late in class, urges me to get him music books, eager to try every new song on the keyboard or he simply proclaims that he loves to go to class.
Good luck in learning to know your own kid's strengths and \"weaknesses\" and most importantly learning what button (& perhaps force) to push for your own kid. That's the fun part of parenting - it's all about trial and error and learn to be a better person together with your kid ! Happy bonding ! -
[quote]For the fast learners, you will notice that they will need minimum practise to play the song, identify notes effortlessly, simply just remember the memory singing without additional coaching, able to confidently answer teachers' questions, can almost always identify the right note just by listening etc etc. [/quote]
Well's it is just 3 months since he started his lesson. Might be too early for me to gauge yet. I'll decide again by end of the year after the exam. For now, he is able to do all of the above.
If I were to ask the teacher personally by end of they year, will the teacher wants to let go of her students? It is supposed to be a four year course, ABRSM taken yearly. Playing individually is also rare, so won't it be difficult for the teacher to gauge?
At the moment, the main motivator of course is a brand new piano. :lol: He is teaching his father to play a song on the piano and dh will then accompany him to play the song together using another music instrument. Or we will play together on the same song but I will be playing on using the lower notes.
pianojazzy, thanks for replying. I am encouraging him to play daily and self judge and self correct his playing up to his own perfection. I will come into picture usually at the end of the 45 minutes and he will ask me if there are any things that he needs to improves. He will play again to work on what I have commented and his biggest motivation will be to look forward when I say \"prefect\". If he can't get his playing right within the hour, I will encourage him to try again the following day. -
You mean \"perfect\" right, EN?
Hey, we do that too with our girl.
They sure are motivated to hear that word.
And children with self motivation are definitely
easier to work with. buds hubs will either use
his piano, bass or guitar to play alongside DD
with her violin practices and vice versa for her
piano practice too. It's like a jamming session!
I agree with you EN on resuming another day
if the child doesn't get it right or perfect by the
hour. This is to prevent any stab of confidence
and also to tell them it's okay to take a break
to resume practice another day. No pressure. -
EN, Wow, so happy to know that your son will actually ask you what else he needs to improve. You must be really proud of him.
Glad that you understand that it is not possible to perfect a piece within a day. That's y lessons are once a week.
Good to see so many encouraging and motivating parents around -
[quote]You mean \"perfect\" right, EN? [/quote]
Uh...oh. You are right. I mean perfect not prefect. DS was buzzing in beside me, waiting to go to Jurong Point. I'm back now. :lol:
[quote]And children with self motivation are definitely
easier to work with. buds hubs will either use
his piano, bass or guitar to play alongside DD
with her violin practices and vice versa for her
piano practice too. It's like a jamming session! [/quote]Kekeke. Same situation here.
:? Wonder while the jamming session is going on, what do our dear buds do? I was telling dh & ds yesterday, since they are playing together, can dear mummy join in the fun by dancing since cannot play any instrument? -
EN:
:? Wonder while the jamming session is going on, what do our dear buds do? I was telling dh & ds yesterday, since they are playing together, can dear mummy join in the fun by dancing since cannot play any instrument?
KSP-ing lor! :laugh:
Naaah... sometimes i sit in their practice sessions.
Sometimes i record. Recording is a good way of
reflection on one's own performance... hee...
Own self see... own self hear... Hehee..
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