All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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Oh I c. Cos my ds also want thru the JMC. But after we are done with that - I didn’t move on to JXC - instd ask the JMC teacher to 1 to 1 piano.
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Having graduated with a Master’s Degree in music, I strongly feel that it is best (and within your budget of course) to find a teacher who has studied in a full time music instituition with piano as her/his major instrument and experience in at least 2 years of PEDAGOGY classes in the college/university. Teachers who have obtained a Degree or/and Master’s in Music are well-trained in their major instrument, History, Harmony, Analysis, Aural, Keyboard Harmony, Pedagogy, Ensemble Training, Orchestra, etc subjects related to Music. Also, they will have a vast experience of performing with other musicians and in solo recitals. With such thorough training and background, you should have a well-equipped teacher to train your child (especially with pedagogical background) and most importantly, discover and stretch their potential and cultivate their passion for music. Also with the positive attitude, outgoing and generous personality of the teacher, values learned from music lessons are extensive: patience, discipline, confidence, hand-eye co-ordination, problems solving, thinking "out-of-the-box", perseverance, general-knowledge (through history, arts, culture) and many more. When a child learns music, they discover many more things than just the score and the instrument, but also a lot more about the world and themselves if chosen the right teacher.
But having said that, even without passion for teaching and for music, any qualifications will also not suffice.
Some parents might not want to pay too much for a teacher with such qualification as the child is still young and might not be interested in learning in a few years’ time OR might not know or support the idea of the child pursuing a full time music career OR simply would just like to attain Grade 8 to get into better schools etc etc. But do bear in mind, as with many sports and disciplines, a strong and good foundation is important and crucial at an early age so its good to invest in a good teacher nonetheless.
Parents might want to ask themselves the reasons of exposing their children to learning the piano/music because that will affect the child’s musical journey in the future and with a clear goal in mind, it will also help teachers understand and plan for your child.
This is a very personal belief (and rather quick sharing) of what Ive learnt and experienced as a teacher and from my professors and their teachers. Hope it helps. -
Two Hands Studio:
While I will not the restate the obvious fact that full time trained teachers had a more comprehensive training than their non-full time colleagues, the reality I feel is less clear cut.Having graduated with a Master's Degree in music, I strongly feel that it is best (and within your budget of course) to find a teacher who has studied in a full time music instituition with piano as her/his major instrument and experience in at least 2 years of PEDAGOGY classes in the college/university. Teachers who have obtained a Degree or/and Master's in Music are well-trained in their major instrument, History, Harmony, Analysis, Aural, Keyboard Harmony, Pedagogy, Ensemble Training, Orchestra, etc subjects related to Music. Also, they will have a vast experience of performing with other musicians and in solo recitals. With such thorough training and background, you should have a well-equipped teacher to train your child (especially with pedagogical background) and most importantly, discover and stretch their potential and cultivate their passion for music. Also with the positive attitude, outgoing and generous personality of the teacher, values learned from music lessons are extensive: patience, discipline, confidence, hand-eye co-ordination, problems solving, thinking \"out-of-the-box\", perseverance, general-knowledge (through history, arts, culture) and many more. When a child learns music, they discover many more things than just the score and the instrument, but also a lot more about the world and themselves if chosen the right teacher.
But having said that, even without passion for teaching and for music, any qualifications will also not suffice.
Some parents might not want to pay too much for a teacher with such qualification as the child is still young and might not be interested in learning in a few years' time OR might not know or support the idea of the child pursuing a full time music career OR simply would just like to attain Grade 8 to get into better schools etc etc. But do bear in mind, as with many sports and disciplines, a strong and good foundation is important and crucial at an early age so its good to invest in a good teacher nonetheless.
Parents might want to ask themselves the reasons of exposing their children to learning the piano/music because that will affect the child's musical journey in the future and with a clear goal in mind, it will also help teachers understand and plan for your child.
This is a very personal belief (and rather quick sharing) of what Ive learnt and experienced as a teacher and from my professors and their teachers. Hope it helps.
I fully agree that any decent full time course would have some decent emphasis on pedagogy because well, most graduates need to teach to earn a living. And I have to say whatever I learnt during my full time study did help. But teaching is a very hands-on profession and no matter how much theoretical knowledge we know, the only way to be better is to just do it and learn from our mistakes. So this does not mean a fresh grad, degree or master, will automatically be a good teacher; he/she will still have to acquire actual teaching experience to see what works and what does not work. That is why I urge parents to be understanding towards new grad teachers. Teaching your children is a learning journey for them too and it will not be pitch perfect all the way.
Now about non full-time trained teachers. Obviously the bulk of piano teacher population in Singapore are made up of these teachers. Some had been around very long, and many are pretty new with their grade 8s or diplomas. They can be excellent teachers if they want to. Some of these teachers continually upgrade themselves by furthering their private diplomas or attending conferences. I have two students who are actively teaching and I would gladly entrust my son to either one of them. What they may lack in theoretical knowledge they compensate in passion and desire to improve themselves.
No matter what, I believe a child should receive the best education right from the very beginning. I know that sometimes parents are wary if their child will like the instrument, whether the child has talent, whether the child wants to go into music field, etc. But this should not matter I believe. The main reason you get the best teacher for your child should be simply because you want your child to get the best learning experience and nothing else. -
Dreamaurora:
Wow, now you have teachers among your students. You seem to be moving up. Fully agree that any self respecting teacher do not stop learning. I myself preparing for a diploma also. A good teacher is a good student too.
While I will not the restate the obvious fact that full time trained teachers had a more comprehensive training than their non-full time colleagues, the reality I feel is less clear cut.Two Hands Studio:
Having graduated with a Master's Degree in music, I strongly feel that it is best (and within your budget of course) to find a teacher who has studied in a full time music instituition with piano as her/his major instrument and experience in at least 2 years of PEDAGOGY classes in the college/university. Teachers who have obtained a Degree or/and Master's in Music are well-trained in their major instrument, History, Harmony, Analysis, Aural, Keyboard Harmony, Pedagogy, Ensemble Training, Orchestra, etc subjects related to Music. Also, they will have a vast experience of performing with other musicians and in solo recitals. With such thorough training and background, you should have a well-equipped teacher to train your child (especially with pedagogical background) and most importantly, discover and stretch their potential and cultivate their passion for music. Also with the positive attitude, outgoing and generous personality of the teacher, values learned from music lessons are extensive: patience, discipline, confidence, hand-eye co-ordination, problems solving, thinking \"out-of-the-box\", perseverance, general-knowledge (through history, arts, culture) and many more. When a child learns music, they discover many more things than just the score and the instrument, but also a lot more about the world and themselves if chosen the right teacher.
But having said that, even without passion for teaching and for music, any qualifications will also not suffice.
Some parents might not want to pay too much for a teacher with such qualification as the child is still young and might not be interested in learning in a few years' time OR might not know or support the idea of the child pursuing a full time music career OR simply would just like to attain Grade 8 to get into better schools etc etc. But do bear in mind, as with many sports and disciplines, a strong and good foundation is important and crucial at an early age so its good to invest in a good teacher nonetheless.
Parents might want to ask themselves the reasons of exposing their children to learning the piano/music because that will affect the child's musical journey in the future and with a clear goal in mind, it will also help teachers understand and plan for your child.
This is a very personal belief (and rather quick sharing) of what Ive learnt and experienced as a teacher and from my professors and their teachers. Hope it helps.
I fully agree that any decent full time course would have some decent emphasis on pedagogy because well, most graduates need to teach to earn a living. And I have to say whatever I learnt during my full time study did help. But teaching is a very hands-on profession and no matter how much theoretical knowledge we know, the only way to be better is to just do it and learn from our mistakes. So this does not mean a fresh grad, degree or master, will automatically be a good teacher; he/she will still have to acquire actual teaching experience to see what works and what does not work. That is why I urge parents to be understanding towards new grad teachers. Teaching your children is a learning journey for them too and it will not be pitch perfect all the way.
Now about non full-time trained teachers. Obviously the bulk of piano teacher population in Singapore are made up of these teachers. Some had been around very long, and many are pretty new with their grade 8s or diplomas. They can be excellent teachers if they want to. Some of these teachers continually upgrade themselves by furthering their private diplomas or attending conferences. I have two students who are actively teaching and I would gladly entrust my son to either one of them. What they may lack in theoretical knowledge they compensate in passion and desire to improve themselves.
No matter what, I believe a child should receive the best education right from the very beginning. I know that sometimes parents are wary if their child will like the instrument, whether the child has talent, whether the child wants to go into music field, etc. But this should not matter I believe. The main reason you get the best teacher for your child should be simply because you want your child to get the best learning experience and nothing else. -
Haha...Too many piano teachers these days....That is why the piano teacher is more keen and pushy. Four year olds are a little to small for 1 to 1 class. I would give them group classes for exposure and some fun first.
vicki:
Drum teacher said 'come back in three months'. But the piano teacher seems very interested in getting me to sign my child. -
Looking for a piano for my child who is 5 yrs in Tampines.
Anyone can recommend? -
My 5 yr old's piano techer just decided to stop teachinh and i am now looking
urgently for another one. preferably with lots of experience. patient with young children. if you know another good teachers, please
contact me at [email protected]
prefer to come over to my place to teach at AMK.
thank you, any help is appreciated!! -
Hi alng,
Can you pm me the details of the piano teacher?
Thank you very much! -
Hi
Am looking for a female piano teacher for my girl, 6 yrs old (she specifically asked for lady teacher
). She has been attending beginner lessons ( 1 to 1) at a music school for the past 1.5 year.
I am looking at weekends or weekdays' night (about 8.30pm) for 45mins lessons.
Anybody here with good experience/progress with their kids' piano teacher - please kindly recommend to me.
Much appreciated. -
Hi - my 6 y.o. daughter is completing JMC at Yamaha soon and I’d like to look for a fun and creative piano teacher for her in the Upper Thomson / YCK / AMK area. Looking at weekdays… flexible to have classes at home or at teacher’s house. If you’ve any good recommendations, please let me know. Many thanks!
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