All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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sleepy:
No doubt about it. YST is equivalent to local university, except it's for music. Quite surprised to read it requires GCE A level results too. Definitely not easy to get in.chamonix:
As for Nafa's Wales BA in music, I am also interested to know how much it is valued as to other local/overseas music degree courses, such as YST. In YST, the degree course is a 4 years, full time programme.
YST is definitely the 'ultimate' music degree in Singapore context. Close to impossible to gain admission. Only a handful of graduates each year for each instrument. Piano has more graduates than other instruments though.
If not admitted to YST, the next viable option is to go overseas for a more recognisable music degree. But super expensive! -
Dreamaurora:
Wow. That is one insane background. You are either very talented or very determined. Respect.
I am actually a 1st gen PR, so I did not serve NS. I started learning piano for fun when I was studying Multimedia in Polytechnic when I was 17. I paid for lessons in a music school that shall remain nameless, because the teachers were mediocre so I ended up self-teaching myself most of the time. By the time I was 18 I passed my grade 5 ABRSM and by 19 I passed my grade 7 ABRSM and grade 5 theory. I then attempted to take ATCL by myself (Yeah I know, I was mad and naive) within one year after passing my grade 7 and expectedly failed miserably.sacredmusicals:
To dreamaurora, I am just curious. If you said you entered NAFA at 22, that means it is 5 years after you started learning piano. After minus 2 years ns, so that leaves you with 3 years of piano study before NAFA. How did you manage to get your grade 8 within such a short time?
Oh by the way, your piano trios are nice. You should compose more of that stuff, can sell to mediacorps.
I then sort of slowed down for 2 years after I graduated from Polytechnic because I needed to work full time to earn a living. But then I decided that I wanted to make music my life and applied for NAFA. I did not have grade 8 then because of my foolish ATCL adventure but I explained my situation to NAFA and they let me audition. After a 2nd audition (they asked me to reaudition because they were not sure the first time). They accepted me but I had to pay the full course fee because I was not good enough to get any grant. It was then in my first year NAFA that I finally took and passed my grade 8 ABRSM.
I hope this explains everything. I am really grateful to NAFA for taking a chance in me. A lot of people already wrote me off even before I started NAFA. Not easy being adult beginner in piano and then trying to become a full time musician. And thank you for your compliments about the trios.
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*** If anyone is interested, I received this Flyer today from the Music School:
Fwd: [Medley Music ENews] : 1st October 2011 Saturday
OCTOBER-Children's Day Open House @ Burghley Lifestyle Hub
There will be students' recitals, teacher's demo, free percussion-making workshops and goodie packs at Medley Music School.
Programme for the day:
11am & 2.30pm Student Recital
11.30 & 3pm Teacher's Demo
11.45am & 3.15pm Percussion making
There's also a one-day only promotion - $38 only for a 30 min weekday trial (usual price up to $78) or $38 off instantly for every new sign up!
45, Burghley Dr, #01-09, Burghley Lifestyle Hub, (Serangoon Gardens Estate)
E-mail [email protected] or +65 6282 8636
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/medleymusicschool
*** I'm not sure if you have to *reserve* ahead of time for the Trial Lesson though! Check with them yourselves!!! Cheers! -
Dunno where to post this, so post it here, hoping some parents and teachers will give some advice.
I'm thinking of a crash course in Grade 5 Theory for ds to take his exams early next year. How long do you think the course will take and how many lessons. DS can learn under pressure.
Thanks. -
Hi Dreamaurora, Out of curiosity, is the piano fee suppose to be lower in Western SIngapore? At $25/h for grade 1, it’s much cheaper than the budget music centers here.
Thanks. -
peanut_butter:
I am aware my fee is lower than what music schools offer. But I have to take into consideration a few factors. First, I do not have to pay studio rental and second my place is 3 bus stop aways from a MRT station. Since my fee is cheaper, my students could take cab to my place (which some of them actually do).Hi Dreamaurora, Out of curiosity, is the piano fee suppose to be lower in Western SIngapore? At $25/h for grade 1, it’s much cheaper than the budget music centers here.
Thanks.
Music schools have extremely high maintenance costs hence the higher fees. I've actually contemplated before on opening one, but decided against it because I don't think I can maintain my principles if I run one. -
sacredmusicals:
Wow. That is one insane background. You are either very talented or very determined. Respect.[/quote] :rotflmao: Well, musicians have to be a little mad right? In any case, I don't think I am talented lah. I still have long way to go, my musical journey is just starting.
I am actually a 1st gen PR, so I did not serve NS. I started learning piano for fun when I was studying Multimedia in Polytechnic when I was 17. I paid for lessons in a music school that shall remain nameless, because the teachers were mediocre so I ended up self-teaching myself most of the time. By the time I was 18 I passed my grade 5 ABRSM and by 19 I passed my grade 7 ABRSM and grade 5 theory. I then attempted to take ATCL by myself (Yeah I know, I was mad and naive) within one year after passing my grade 7 and expectedly failed miserably.Dreamaurora:
[quote=\"sacredmusicals\"]To dreamaurora, I am just curious. If you said you entered NAFA at 22, that means it is 5 years after you started learning piano. After minus 2 years ns, so that leaves you with 3 years of piano study before NAFA. How did you manage to get your grade 8 within such a short time?
Oh by the way, your piano trios are nice. You should compose more of that stuff, can sell to mediacorps.
I then sort of slowed down for 2 years after I graduated from Polytechnic because I needed to work full time to earn a living. But then I decided that I wanted to make music my life and applied for NAFA. I did not have grade 8 then because of my foolish ATCL adventure but I explained my situation to NAFA and they let me audition. After a 2nd audition (they asked me to reaudition because they were not sure the first time). They accepted me but I had to pay the full course fee because I was not good enough to get any grant. It was then in my first year NAFA that I finally took and passed my grade 8 ABRSM.
I hope this explains everything. I am really grateful to NAFA for taking a chance in me. A lot of people already wrote me off even before I started NAFA. Not easy being adult beginner in piano and then trying to become a full time musician. And thank you for your compliments about the trios. -
My dd is learning grade 5 piano now. Really appreciate it if any parent could kindly recommend a gd piano teacher for her. We stay in Simei. Pls pm me. Thank you very much.
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peanut_butter:
When I was learning piano, my teacher who had Lrsm teaching charged me 10 $ per grade per 45 minute lessons at her house. Grade 1 will be 10$ and grade 8 will be 80$. But this fee she charged quite some time back and I guess should be more expensive now.Hi Dreamaurora, Out of curiosity, is the piano fee suppose to be lower in Western SIngapore? At $25/h for grade 1, it’s much cheaper than the budget music centers here.
Thanks.
looking at the fee that teachers like dreamaurora charges now, I do not know whether it is a good or bad thing. Good in a sense now that parents do not need to spend a bomb for decent lessons by qualified teachers, but bad for the teachers in general because the fee will keep going down and the career will be less attractive financially. -
sacredmusicals:
In the early 70s, my used exam-standard piano was S$400. Explains the fees teachers charge many years ago?
When I was learning piano, my teacher who had Lrsm teaching charged me 10 $ per grade per 45 minute lessons at her house. Grade 1 will be 10$ and grade 8 will be 80$. But this fee she charged quite some time back and I guess should be more expensive now..
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