All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

jessicawongcs:

i am looking for a piano teacher for DS (coming to 5 year old), 1-1, we don't mind at the teacher's place as long as it is not at the west area. DS currently learning with a teacher but she does not have any structured plan or activities for DS, we are quite worried our money will be wasted. DS loves to play piano, he learns the noted very easily

Do you have any teacher to recommend?
Thanks

Personally I think that it is best that you discuss with the teacher first if he/she can implement some plans for your DS. Some teachers may think that children from 4-6 years old are too young to grasp more complex musical concepts hence they treat lessons for this age group free and easy. Convey also any wish/concern you have as a parent to the teacher so both of you can work out a reasonable common goal. Music lessons will work their best if there is a transparent communications between both parents and teachers.

If the teacher cannot do this, then you should probably look for a new teacher. I personally could take a look at your DS if you are looking at south region.

[Dreamaurora]

jessicawongcs:

Dreamaurora:

Personally I think that it is best that you discuss with the teacher first if he/she can implement some plans for your DS. Some teachers may think that children from 4-6 years old are too young to grasp more complex musical concepts hence they treat lessons for this age group free and easy. Convey also any wish/concern you have as a parent to the teacher so both of you can work out a reasonable common goal. Music lessons will work their best if there is a transparent communications between both parents and teachers.


If the teacher cannot do this, then you should probably look for a new teacher. I personally could take a look at your DS if you are looking at south region.

Hi
We had actually brought up the concern to the teacher few weeks back, her answer is we should not pressure and force DS, it will cause him dislike music.
We scratch our heads at her comment. We are not forcing DS to know how to play a song. We just want to know what are the structured plan and not just weekly 30mins of lesson, without knowing the progress. We dont wish by the end of 1 year, DS doesnt know a single thing.

I had personally sat in the class before. I was quite surprised that she does not emphasize on the basic way of playing a piano, eg, DS's fingers are always straight like chopsticks and hands resting on the keys, she didnt insist the fingers shld be round, end up i am the one kept reminding DS throughout the lesson.

what even more surprise me is she did not explain to DS on the difference between quarter note stem facing up and quarter note stem facing down, she will always tell DS that is play using left and that is play using right. Well, I believed if she bothers to explain DS will be able to differential between these two on his own. Teaching children now is different.

Well, i can also feel that she doesnt really has the passion to teach. Whenever DS showed her the homework he had done (we did not force him do, DS will always take out and do on his own as he loves to write the notes) she will just glance through without marking or put a sticker to encourage DS. End up it is me doing it :lol: maybe i can be the piano teacher

Whenever i brought these issues to her, she will always tell me the same thing, do not pressure or force the poor boy. I dont see where i am forcing him. I just feel that these are all basic knowledge for music which has to build up strong so that they can continue to other areas.

May I know which part of south area you are in? Please PM me thanks

I understand your concerns. Often, teachers have their own ideals in teachings and this may cause conflicts with students or parents. It seems like your DS' teacher is trying to get him interested in music first. Anyway, sent you a PM.

[Giggler1]

I’m also looking for a piano teacher for my 7yo DD. She has completed Yamaha JMC.


Requirement: Responsible, patient, motivating and experienced with young children.
Location: Near Jurong Point
Preferred Time: Saturdays

At the same time, I’m considering to learn piano myself and start my 4yo DS with piano.

Pls PM me if you have any good teacher to recommend who is willing to teach 1 adult and 2 kids.

TIA!

[pianoteacher]

nz:

Hi,


Anyone has good piano teacher to recommend? The teacher must be able to come to my place. Looking for patient teacher to teach grade 2. Pls PM me. Thanks.

Hi nz:)

i teach piano in the east at either students' place or at my home.
i currently have slots on wednesdays and thursdays.
i have 10 years of experience teaching children graded examinations held by ABRSM.
Do pm me or email me at [email protected] if you are interested:)

thank you

[mamamiya]

My boy is 5 yrs old. He started attending organ classes in a community centre when he’s 4.5yrs old. But we shifted house to the east side. Just half a year ago, we bought a piano and asked a teacher to teach him piano at home. At first, I am a bit sceptical becos the teacher is a male. But he looks honest, so we decided to give him a try. Within 6 months, my boy’s piano has improved tremendously. We are very happy with the teacher.


We know he stays in the West (holland area, I think) but he will travel to any parts of singapore (I stay in the east). He’s not bad. I recommend him

(btw, I am not related to him and do not receive any commission for the recommendation.)

[bicky]

Hi,


May I have advice from mummies or teachers here?

Is there a normal routine/progress for piano?

My gal was with a piano school since last year Mar (K2). She passed her beginner exam last year. I happen to ask her teacher today when will she be registered for Grade 1 exam, the teacher told me next sep (2012). When I ask her why not Mar, she told me she is not ready. I am kinda confuse. Everytime, the teacher will tell me she is very good, she is ok at the end of the lesson. Then why is it she is not ready to take up the training for G1? Is it norm to take 3 yrs training before one can sit for G1 exam? Or is it the school want to prolong the lesson?

I am not sure if I should let her continue with the school or to engage her a Pte tutor?

May I have your advice pls?

Thanks alot!!

[ThinkingLoft]

bicky:

Hi,


May I have advice from mummies or teachers here?

Is there a normal routine/progress for piano?

My gal was with a piano school since last year Mar (K2). She passed her beginner exam last year. I happen to ask her teacher today when will she be registered for Grade 1 exam, the teacher told me next sep (2012). When I ask her why not Mar, she told me she is not ready. I am kinda confuse. Everytime, the teacher will tell me she is very good, she is ok at the end of the lesson. Then why is it she is not ready to take up the training for G1? Is it norm to take 3 yrs training before one can sit for G1 exam? Or is it the school want to prolong the lesson?

I am not sure if I should let her continue with the school or to engage her a Pte tutor?

May I have your advice pls?

Thanks alot!!

Having gone through piano lessons myself (I have a Grade and am also now going through it with my daughter (she's in K1 this year), I thought I'll share with you the little I know.

Unfortunately, whether a child is ready to take Grade 1 or not really depends on a lot of things, and you do need a good teacher to be able to make the assessment. For example, strength of her fingers. Also, taking exams will mean a lot of time commitment to practice the pieces, scales, sight-reading and so forth.

Having said that, if your daughter has passed her beginner exam, it is a natural progression to move on to Grade 1. If her teacher said she is not ready, I think you should ask her for details what are the areas she is not ready and what are her plans to help her get ready (eg. if finger strength is an issue, there are technical exercises which they can do to help strengthen it).

My daughter started piano lesson last year in May and this year, she is preparing to sit for her Grade 1 in July/Aug. When we (teacher and I) discussed last year whether she should be taking her grade 1, the teacher gave a very good evaluation on her areas of strengths and weaknesses. She also made a monthly progression plan (like by end of Jan, she should be able to do this, by end of Feb, % of completion of certain exercises, etc).

So I don't think it's fair that your daughter's piano teacher just brush you off with a \"she's not ready\".

Thinking Loft

[2ppaamm]

ThinkingLoft:

bicky:

Hi,


May I have advice from mummies or teachers here?

Is there a normal routine/progress for piano?

My gal was with a piano school since last year Mar (K2). She passed her beginner exam last year. I happen to ask her teacher today when will she be registered for Grade 1 exam, the teacher told me next sep (2012). When I ask her why not Mar, she told me she is not ready. I am kinda confuse. Everytime, the teacher will tell me she is very good, she is ok at the end of the lesson. Then why is it she is not ready to take up the training for G1? Is it norm to take 3 yrs training before one can sit for G1 exam? Or is it the school want to prolong the lesson?

I am not sure if I should let her continue with the school or to engage her a Pte tutor?

May I have your advice pls?

Thanks alot!!

Having gone through piano lessons myself (I have a Grade and am also now going through it with my daughter (she's in K1 this year), I thought I'll share with you the little I know.

Unfortunately, whether a child is ready to take Grade 1 or not really depends on a lot of things, and you do need a good teacher to be able to make the assessment. For example, strength of her fingers. Also, taking exams will mean a lot of time commitment to practice the pieces, scales, sight-reading and so forth.

Having said that, if your daughter has passed her beginner exam, it is a natural progression to move on to Grade 1. If her teacher said she is not ready, I think you should ask her for details what are the areas she is not ready and what are her plans to help her get ready (eg. if finger strength is an issue, there are technical exercises which they can do to help strengthen it).

My daughter started piano lesson last year in May and this year, she is preparing to sit for her Grade 1 in July/Aug. When we (teacher and I) discussed last year whether she should be taking her grade 1, the teacher gave a very good evaluation on her areas of strengths and weaknesses. She also made a monthly progression plan (like by end of Jan, she should be able to do this, by end of Feb, % of completion of certain exercises, etc).

So I don't think it's fair that your daughter's piano teacher just brush you off with a \"she's not ready\".

Thinking Loft

I think whether a child is ready or not depends on both the teacher and the child. If you are not happy with your child's progress, or if the teacher's speed is not per your expectation, you can definitely discuss with her or even change a teacher whose style matches yours.

I have an article written about this some time ago, and I will PM that to you later.

[sleepy]

bicky:

Is there a normal routine/progress for piano?


Is it norm to take 3 yrs training before one can sit for G1 exam? Or is it the school want to prolong the lesson?

I feel that I would not hesitate to change teacher if teacher's style of teaching doesn't suit my child or teacher is not meeting myexpectation. My dd is with her 5th piano teacher now.

As to what's the norm, a good teacher is the key factor, follow by child's diligence in practising. However, to progress to grade 1 after 3 years is kind of too long in my opinion. My observation is typically after 2 years of weekly lessons, should reach between grade 1 to 3

[bicky]

ThinkingLoft:

Having said that, if your daughter has passed her beginner exam, it is a natural progression to move on to Grade 1. If her teacher said she is not ready, I think you should ask her for details what are the areas she is not ready and what are her plans to help her get ready (eg. if finger strength is an issue, there are technical exercises which they can do to help strengthen it).

Thanks, ThinkingLoft.

No, her teacher has never feedback to me about her fingering, her strength or anything. She did tell me that she need to learn a bit more on the theory. As for practical, she is quite ok. She needs to ensure her theory is ok before she can go for her practial exam.

ThinkingLoft:

My daughter started piano lesson last year in May and this year, she is preparing to sit for her Grade 1 in July/Aug. When we (teacher and I) discussed last year whether she should be taking her grade 1, the teacher gave a very good evaluation on her areas of strengths and weaknesses. She also made a monthly progression plan (like by end of Jan, she should be able to do this, by end of Feb, % of completion of certain exercises, etc).

So I don't think it's fair that your daughter's piano teacher just brush you off with a \"she's not ready\".

The teachers are too busy to have discussion with parents. There are students getting ready for their lesson. Is always, ''ok, ok, she is ok....'' then bye! Never really get the chance to ask too much. Thanks so much for your advice. I will go back & ask the teacher again in details.