Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[Angelight]

Dreamaurora, if I’m studying the piano theory to prepare for grading exam, does it mean I have to buy the theory books from Grade 1-8? My piano teacher recommends Piano Lessons Made Easy by Lina Ng, seems like alot of people learning piano are using this book. Will this book be enough to prepare me for the theory exam? Or are there other bks too?


Btw, I’m thinking of taking the piano theory exam only at Grade 3 or maybe 5 so I have more ample time to prepare for it. My piano teacher says it’s possible. want to hear your 2nd opinion.

[Dreamaurora]

A note to all those parents who ask how long to take the grades.


As a teacher, I have witnessed extraordinary learning feats from my students and I am proud of them realising their potentials. But I always stress that it is the journey that matters in the end, not the end results. If my students can complete grade 8 by the time they are 8 years old, but they hate piano for the rest of their lives, then I would have failed as a teacher.

For parents, don’t be affected too much by other parents’ children, let your children take their own time. It is very tempting of course when we hear things like NAFA’s 2 grades per year or stuff like 6 year olds passing grade 5. But remember these are the exceptions and require specific conditions from both parents and children to achieve. That is why now I refrain from sharing some of my students’ unusual accomplishments because I do not wish to give false ideas to parents.

[Dreamaurora]

Angelight:

Dreamaurora, if I'm studying the piano theory to prepare for grading exam, does it mean I have to buy the theory books from Grade 1-8? My piano teacher recommends Piano Lessons Made Easy by Lina Ng, seems like alot of people learning piano are using this book. Will this book be enough to prepare me for the theory exam? Or are there other bks too?


Btw, I'm thinking of taking the piano theory exam only at Grade 3 or maybe 5 so I have more ample time to prepare for it. My piano teacher says it's possible. want to hear your 2nd opinion.

For lower grades, should be enough. Personally for grade 1-5 I don't use any theory books, prefer my students to work on a notebook. Then I give various exercises from different books accordingly. But for self studying, I guess you can use Lina Ng' books.

For higher grades, you need more than just theory books. Buy at least a music textbook; Music an Appreciation is a popular choice here. And for harmony can go through Anne Butterworth's Harmony in Practice.

[piglet and calf]

Hi there,


I agreed that the most important is the child must enjoy playing piano. No point pushing her further and she hates it in the end after completing grade 8.
My child requests for piano class, thus i started her last year end. Didn’t want her to take exams at a young age, thus I might let her continue practice and take it later on if she wants.

[Song22]

Dreamaurora:

Song22:

Hi Dreamaurora


What do you think of Joe Hisaishi pieces? My 10 yrs old son loves his pieces and sometimes he can master a piece in a week (cos he loves it so much that he keeps practicing). Can you also suggest some interesting pieces that he should be also play? We are planning on Grade 6 practical this October. Thanks!

I like Hisaishi's pieces and I have quite a few Japanese sheet music books in my library. I think it is great for students to be exposed to as many different types of music out there. Unless preparing for exams, I generally allow students to pick whatever they like to play. If he like Joe Hisaishi maybe can consider exposing him to other similar contemporary composers e.g. Christopher Norton, Michael Nyman, Jim Brickman, Eugene Rocharolle, Pamela Wedgewood, Nobuo Uematsu, Ryuichi Sakamoto, etc. Just have a listen to some of the works composed by the above people and see if your son likes any of them.

For a more comprehensive listing of pieces according to grades, Jane Magrath publishes an excellent repertoire guide.

http://www.amazon.com/Pianists-Standard-Teaching-Performance-Literature/dp/0882846558/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332904728&sr=8-1

It is ordered according American/Canadian grade 1-10 system though.

Thanks so much for your prompt reply and suggestion for the pieces!
Please keep us posted on your concert dates and I hope the dates will coincide with my family's return dates to Singapore during our summer vacation. Cheers.

[Dreamaurora]

piglet and calf:

Hi there,


I agreed that the most important is the child must enjoy playing piano. No point pushing her further and she hates it in the end after completing grade 8.
My child requests for piano class, thus i started her last year end. Didn't want her to take exams at a young age, thus I might let her continue practice and take it later on if she wants.

That is good. I always tell parents that ultimately the children must want to do well on their own accords. While I do not deny it is possible to hot house a child 'Amy Chua' style and get the desired results, it is not mentally healthy for the children. Conversely, if a child shows high level of interest and motivation, parents should also go all the way to support and provide the best education money can buy.

I fully understand why a lot of parents are anxious about their kids completing the grades. The academic exams in Singapore are heavy and many parents would want the children to finish their whatever piano or dance exams before these major school exams. That is why NAFA's course is high in demand because the students would get grade 8 before PSLE year. I personally feel that it is not healthy to prioritise learning that way i.e. stopping non academic study so can focus on academic study. It is much more beneficial I think to teach children to learn to schedule and manage their learning.

[phankao]

piglet and calf:

Hi there,


I agreed that the most important is the child must enjoy playing piano. No point pushing her further and she hates it in the end after completing grade 8.
My child requests for piano class, thus i started her last year end. Didn't want her to take exams at a young age, thus I might let her continue practice and take it later on if she wants.

How does a child do well at grade 8 exam if he/she hates it? I really cannot imagine.

[Dreamaurora]

phankao:

piglet and calf:

Hi there,


I agreed that the most important is the child must enjoy playing piano. No point pushing her further and she hates it in the end after completing grade 8.
My child requests for piano class, thus i started her last year end. Didn't want her to take exams at a young age, thus I might let her continue practice and take it later on if she wants.

How does a child do well at grade 8 exam if he/she hates it? I really cannot imagine.

Well only two motivating factors I see could make this happen: reward or fear.

I can't imagine being forced to excel in something. The dangerous thing is a lot of parents nowadays have this mentality that it is fine to do that and the children will thank them later in the future.

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

phankao:

How does a child do well at grade 8 exam if he/she hates it? I really cannot imagine.

Well only two motivating factors I see could make this happen: reward or fear.

I can't imagine being forced to excel in something. The dangerous thing is a lot of parents nowadays have this mentality that it is fine to do that and the children will thank them later in the future.

I'm still trying to imagine. I have 4 kids, 3 of which have done g8. How to force???? Those parents much sure weld some special magic then!

[Dreamaurora]

phankao:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"phankao\"]
How does a child do well at grade 8 exam if he/she hates it? I really cannot imagine.

Well only two motivating factors I see could make this happen: reward or fear.

I can't imagine being forced to excel in something. The dangerous thing is a lot of parents nowadays have this mentality that it is fine to do that and the children will thank them later in the future.

I'm still trying to imagine. I have 4 kids, 3 of which have done g8. How to force???? Those parents much sure weld some special magic then![/quote]Haha, possible. I remember last time when I was young I hated studying a particular subject. My mom told me straight to either suck it up or no SEGA for holiday.