Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[metz]

MummyThreeStreams:

How hard will it be for me (with a Grade 8 theory from more than 20 years ago) to teach my son Grade 1-5 theory in one year? He is 7 and has not had formal theory lessons, but he has passed his Grade 4 practical.


The reason i'm considering this is that we're going away for a year where it's hard to find teachers familiar with the ABRSM syllabus. I think DS1 will be ready to take Grade 6 practical when he returns. So he needs to prepare for Grade 5 theory while we're away. Is it feasible?

Hi MummyThreeStreams,

You should have a much easier time than me. I have just received the book recommended by Dreamaurora and will be embarking on it with both my kids soon. With your expertise and knowledge in music, the only thing you probably need would be discipline.

[MummyThreeStreams]

chamonix,


Aiyah! You are so encouraging! My music theory all given back already…and i’m a terrible teacher!! What books did you get? You will be teaching your kids theory yourself? Do you have music background? We can encourage each other!

[Dreamaurora]

MummyThreeStreams:

How hard will it be for me (with a Grade 8 theory from more than 20 years ago) to teach my son Grade 1-5 theory in one year? He is 7 and has not had formal theory lessons, but he has passed his Grade 4 practical.


The reason i'm considering this is that we're going away for a year where it's hard to find teachers familiar with the ABRSM syllabus. I think DS1 will be ready to take Grade 6 practical when he returns. So he needs to prepare for Grade 5 theory while we're away. Is it feasible?

Should be okay as long your son is reasonably good in his academic study; if you think about it theory is kind of like mathematics. I still recommend getting a theory teacher though when you are abroad. Theory study is universal and I think any decent teacher should be able to tailor his teaching to adapt any theory syllabus.

[jce]

Mummy3streams, I doubt you’d have any problems teaching your son gr 1-5 theory, it’ll all come back to you and it’s logical (if you get the theory books published by ABRSM there’d be guidelines to help you). But for a 7 yr old to comprehend some of the topics, that may be tricky. To complete in a year, will be intensive.

[MummyThreeStreams]

Thanks Dreamaurora and jce for your advice. He’s in P2 and a fast learner. We have about 18 months if he aims for the March 2014 exams. Will bring the books and syllabus over, and if I can’t find a teacher, at least i know I can go for it myself.

[metz]

MummyThreeStreams,


I just got this book http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Materials-Music-Theory-Programmed/dp/0205654207/ref=tmm_pap_title_0. It may not be too useful for you since you have some music background. The book is good for us as it comes with answers. Very handy for those without music background like me.

Another book that we are using is the AB guide to Music Theory. The previous piano teacher actually recommended my son to read this book when he was working on Grade 2 theory. Aside from these two books, I also google the internet for interesting music theory websites.

Haha, I am definitely not qualified to prepare my children for grade 5 theory exam. But the least I can do is to prepare them enough so that they will have an easier time with theory when we return. :xedfingers:

[jce]

There is an app by ABRSM for IPad, you can try that too. Other theory apps are also available though they don’t seem to look as good… I have not tried any of them personally so it may be a hit or miss.

[MummyThreeStreams]

chamonix:

MummyThreeStreams,


I just got this book http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Materials-Music-Theory-Programmed/dp/0205654207/ref=tmm_pap_title_0. It may not be too useful for you since you have some music background. The book is good for us as it comes with answers. Very handy for those without music background like me.

Another book that we are using is the AB guide to Music Theory. The previous piano teacher actually recommended my son to read this book when he was working on Grade 2 theory. Aside from these two books, I also google the internet for interesting music theory websites.

Haha, I am definitely not qualified to prepare my children for grade 5 theory exam. But the least I can do is to prepare them enough so that they will have an easier time with theory when we return. :xedfingers:

Thanks Chamonix! I'll get the AB Guide and pass it to the piano teacher there. See if he/she can teach from it. Any decent teacher should be able to right?

[Dreamaurora]

MummyThreeStreams:

chamonix:

MummyThreeStreams,


I just got this book http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Materials-Music-Theory-Programmed/dp/0205654207/ref=tmm_pap_title_0. It may not be too useful for you since you have some music background. The book is good for us as it comes with answers. Very handy for those without music background like me.

Another book that we are using is the AB guide to Music Theory. The previous piano teacher actually recommended my son to read this book when he was working on Grade 2 theory. Aside from these two books, I also google the internet for interesting music theory websites.

Haha, I am definitely not qualified to prepare my children for grade 5 theory exam. But the least I can do is to prepare them enough so that they will have an easier time with theory when we return. :xedfingers:

Thanks Chamonix! I'll get the AB Guide and pass it to the piano teacher there. See if he/she can teach from it. Any decent teacher should be able to right?

Actually I would just get the past year theory papers and the model answers. You do not need to exclusively use only ABRSM books to prepare for their exams; any other theory books will do as long as they cover similar topics as ABRSM. Americans have very good theory books as well.

[Dreamaurora]

chamonix:

MummyThreeStreams,


I just got this book http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Materials-Music-Theory-Programmed/dp/0205654207/ref=tmm_pap_title_0. It may not be too useful for you since you have some music background. The book is good for us as it comes with answers. Very handy for those without music background like me.

Another book that we are using is the AB guide to Music Theory. The previous piano teacher actually recommended my son to read this book when he was working on Grade 2 theory. Aside from these two books, I also google the internet for interesting music theory websites.

Haha, I am definitely not qualified to prepare my children for grade 5 theory exam. But the least I can do is to prepare them enough so that they will have an easier time with theory when we return. :xedfingers:

Glad you like the book. I personally used that book when I started learning piano.