All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[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.

[mumwgals]

ctct61t:

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.

You can prepared the play pieces yourself.

Oh, forgot to mention, your child will be tested on sight reading too. The teacher will give one short score for the sight reading test.

There are usually 100 over children registered for each audition, and average about 10-12 children will be selected for piano.

Registration starts 1st of Nov for the Nov audition.

Good luck to your daughter!

[Koi]

Hi,


I agreed that a good teacher is always important - be it private or at a school.

My child has registered in this school in Marine Parade; was actually recommended by a friend who has a kid there. So far, it has been great! Teacher uses a lot of intiatives to motivate my daughter and she looks forward to going for her lessons every week. Started as a beginner; but was promoted to Grade 1 after 6 months. Am considering getting piano at home though we already have a keyboard.

Ciao

[angeline123]

From my experience unless you have a good recommendation from friends. Some private teachers can be very irresponsible. Read: cancel class at the last minute, and often. Stay in the same level for a long time… Whereas in a school, there is a supervisor, so its usually more controlled.


Plus a school normally have organized activities such as concerts.

I am also more comfortable with a school setting. No beds or TV next to the instrument. Proper classroom environment is more condusive for learning.

Just my opinion.

[corneyAmber]

Yup i agree with Angeline. That’s why now i teaches from home only. Have the studio setting but more flexible then schools.


But not all teachers are irresponsible. My students can go to grade 1 around 6 months and i do organise concerts every year.

[Koi]

Yup, one of the reason I chose the current school is also due to their extraordinary events conducted for their students. Like every year there is a major concert in Victoria Concert Hall and they have their own Orchestra. The majority of the teachers there are degree holders. But actually qualification is one thing, being able to connect with and motivate our children is more important I guess!


Plus something I realised is going to a school/teacher who is doing Full Time. Many of my friends had bad experiences when the teacher they have been learning with for few months quit, then the whole cycle to find teacher and timing all over again.

[ChiefKiasu]

pianojazzy:

Yup i agree with Angeline. That's why now i teaches from home only. Have the studio setting but more flexible then schools.


But not all teachers are irresponsible. My students can go to grade 1 around 6 months and i do organise concerts every year.

Pianojazzy... u got teach 3yo or not har? Can I park my daughter with you on Saturday or Sunday afternoons?