Is it possible for a P1 student to reach piano grade 8?

[radiantmum]

Eh... does that mean that the advice to parents whom want to engage a pte piano teacher without recommendations then is : better to have diploma as miniumum qualification and if grade 8 only, tests the fella and make sure he/she knows how to play more than 3 songs *CRINGE*CRINGE* :nailbite:

[joyofmusic]

If the objective of learning is to get the grade 8 cert, then by all means, one can push the child ahead as fast as possible. The child may end up playing like that violinist in the clip and will probably not touch his instrument anymore after the goal is obtained. But if the objective is to develop the musicality in the child, then it is necessary to give time for it to happen. Exams should be a secondary matter. markfch has the right approach and I 'm sure he will see success (not measurerd by grade level) in his son's music learning. A grade 8 kid who has learnt properly should be able to play at this level or thereabouts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmxRyTFKp84

[markfch]

joyofmusic:

If the objective of learning is to get the grade 8 cert, then by all means, one can push the child ahead as fast as possible. The child may end up playing like that violinist in the clip and will probably not touch his instrument anymore after the goal is obtained. But if the objective is to develop the musicality in the child, then it is necessary to give time for it to happen. Exams should be a secondary matter. markfch has the right approach and I 'm sure he will see success (not measurerd by grade level) in his son's music learning. A grade 8 kid who has learnt properly should be able to play at this level or thereabouts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmxRyTFKp84

Wow, this is good. In years to come, hopefully ds can reach this level and maybe even beyond. I'm sure he'll thank me for this when it happens. :celebrate:

My friend a piano teacher told me that once he had a very good student. But sadly after he scored distinction in grade 8 at P6, his parents pulled the plug and stopped him from progressing further, to concentrate on his studies.

My friend had a pang of regret as he felt that this boy can go diploma and beyond. He played a recording of the boy for me, and it was just like a professional playing.

[joyofmusic]

That's such a pity for your friend's son, markfch. Music should be lifelong, and learning music too. There should be no end point. Most of us ( and our kids) will never reach the level of the professionals or the prodigy, but as long as there is determination and patience, we can get to a level that will bring satisfaction to the soul. No need to hurry. One thing very important is a good teacher. Many kids can get to Grade 8 but actually don't know much. So, don't equate a good teacher with how fast the student can reach grade 8.


I take my children for concerts (free at Yong Siew Toh) and we listen to good recordings. You-tube has quite a bit, but it is a mixed bag. Lots of lousy recordings. We however, cant get enough of Aimi Kobayashi, a child prodigy. Here's her at 4+ years old and at 14.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZwpjSNT620


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn7UnQWkcjY[/url]

[markfch]

joyofmusic:

We however, cant get enough of Aimi Kobayashi, a child prodigy. Here's her at 4+ years old and at 14.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZwpjSNT620

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn7UnQWkcjY[/url]

My goodness! :shock:

What song is that? How come the beats are so fast? :faint:

[markfch]

DS just told me that in his class, besides the boy that passed grade 8, there's another girl who got diploma oredi. Diploma at P1? :yikes:


Boy, should have changed the title of my thread to 'Is it possible to reach diploma at P1?' instead. These kids are so advanced. They're like travelling at light speed.

[joyofmusic]

The first piece, performed when Aimi was 4+ is Beethoven’s Six Variations on ‘Nel cor piu non mi sento’, WoO 70


The other one, performed when she was 14 is Chopin’s Etude Op 10 No.4