Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A
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Dreamaurora:
Sigh, I don't think they were looking at grade 5 only. My son was taking Suzuki violin. His teacher told me in Japan, some kids are already on book 10 or 11 at 6 years old.
Of course teachers will say that lar. I afterall also recommended to the parents for the 6 year olds to take grade 5 last year even though they were a bit apprehensive initially. What I was saying is one push the child just for the purpose of getting acknowledgements from the other parents, don't do it. As evidenced by that thread last year where I revealed that info and also the NAFA Young Talents course, many parents here are still quite wary of accelerating their kids, whether for music or for other activities.chamonix:
I must sound strange. I have 2 music teachers telling me my son could go very far if I pushed him. Two different instruments. My take - no hurry. One ended telling my son he should practise like a competitive swimmer or basketball player almost every lesson when he was 6. He started on instruments at 5.
Like Phankoa said, too much work for a non-music background mom like me. If he's really talented, he would still progress without taking exams at an early age. -
waiyean:
Haha, now... we are talking about competitions. Guess we will stick to exams and stay away from competitions for the time being
I didn't know what our goal was initially. Now that my son is older, we discussed and he's kinda of interested in competitions.chamonix:
[quote=\"waiyean\"]
Yes agreed. End of the day, it's dependent on the triangular relationship between child, parents, and teachers. No two parties can move ahead without the third.
In my girl's case, it's a matter of \"if not exams, then what's next?\" Move on to learning the next grade? Then what? Anyone can advise what to focus on if not exams?
[/quote]Mine are no preschoolers now:)
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waiyean:
Haha, now... we are talking about competitions. Guess we will stick to exams and stay away from competitions for the time being
I didn't know what our goal was initially. Now that my son is older, we discussed and he's kinda of interested in competitions.chamonix:
[quote=\"waiyean\"]
Yes agreed. End of the day, it's dependent on the triangular relationship between child, parents, and teachers. No two parties can move ahead without the third.
In my girl's case, it's a matter of \"if not exams, then what's next?\" Move on to learning the next grade? Then what? Anyone can advise what to focus on if not exams?[/quote]Still long way to go lar from competitions. To win any junior competitions in Singapore, need to be way above the level required for competitions i.e. for national piano junior category need to play grade 8 and above. Yes, even for children. This is a tactic Young Talents use, sending students way above the required grades for lower level competitions.
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waiyean:
Haha, now... we are talking about competitions. Guess we will stick to exams and stay away from competitions for the time being
I didn't know what our goal was initially. Now that my son is older, we discussed and he's kinda of interested in competitions.chamonix:
[quote=\"waiyean\"]
Yes agreed. End of the day, it's dependent on the triangular relationship between child, parents, and teachers. No two parties can move ahead without the third.
In my girl's case, it's a matter of \"if not exams, then what's next?\" Move on to learning the next grade? Then what? Anyone can advise what to focus on if not exams?[/quote]Anyway, what do you intend for your dd when she finishes all the exams?
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chamonix:
Are you still overseas? Should have quite a number of music festivals and such that they can participate? A kinder start than a totally competitive one.
Mine are no preschoolers now:)waiyean:
Haha, now... we are talking about competitions. Guess we will stick to exams and stay away from competitions for the time being -
:shock:
chamonix:
Sigh, I don't think they were looking at grade 5 only. My son was taking Suzuki violin. His teacher told me in Japan, some kids are already on book 10 or 11 at 6 years old.
Of course teachers will say that lar. I afterall also recommended to the parents for the 6 year olds to take grade 5 last year even though they were a bit apprehensive initially. What I was saying is one push the child just for the purpose of getting acknowledgements from the other parents, don't do it. As evidenced by that thread last year where I revealed that info and also the NAFA Young Talents course, many parents here are still quite wary of accelerating their kids, whether for music or for other activities.Dreamaurora:
[quote=\"chamonix\"]
I must sound strange. I have 2 music teachers telling me my son could go very far if I pushed him. Two different instruments. My take - no hurry. One ended telling my son he should practise like a competitive swimmer or basketball player almost every lesson when he was 6. He started on instruments at 5.
Like Phankoa said, too much work for a non-music background mom like me. If he's really talented, he would still progress without taking exams at an early age.[/quote]This is what I actually dread, teachers pushing the kids because they are just trying to reach the 'status quo'. A Korean teacher once said to me a child has to be able to play 'Pathetique' or 'Moonlight' sonatas (I'm talking about the entire sonatas, not just the famous movements) by the time he/she is 12 years old :shock:
It's very tempting of course for teachers, including me, to push students who have any hint of potential. The better the students play or perform or score for exams, the better a teacher's reputation is. But it is important also to acknowledge that afterall, we teachers teach students not for our glory, but to impart the same passion we had for music to our students. -
phankao:
Are you still overseas? Should have quite a number of music festivals and such that they can participate? A kinder start than a totally competitive one.[/quote]Coming back soon. Yes, he did have opportunities to perform when he was still with the local music school. Got his first solo opportunity on stage when he joined the school :).
Mine are no preschoolers now:)chamonix:
[quote=\"waiyean\"]
Haha, now... we are talking about competitions. Guess we will stick to exams and stay away from competitions for the time being -
Dreamaurora:
Yes, my DD was involved in a number of recitals, and she is also attending monthly master classes when she has to perform 2 pieces each time and then get suggestions on how to do it better. But then, she's still a baby... I will try not to push her too much
Hmm, performances? Recitals? related studies such as improvisation or jazz? Although my students do not take every single exam, but I keep them occupied and focused by letting them play regularly in small group settings and also student concerts. The ambitious ones I let them prepare longer performances or program; this is in fact more difficult than taking exams. This way they can progress without feeling 'exam burnout'.
To be honest, this obssession with taking exams exist primarily in Asia countries such as Singapore and Hongkong. In Europe the music education is far more robust. There are still exams to take, but only at the important points. There was a much more stronger emphasis on technical development and acquiring performance experience. -
Dreamaurora:
This is what I actually dread, teachers pushing the kids because they are just trying to reach the 'status quo'. A Korean teacher once said to me a child has to be able to play 'Pathetique' or 'Moonlight' sonatas (I'm talking about the entire sonatas, not just the famous movements) by the time he/she is 12 years old :shock::shock:
Sigh, I don't think they were looking at grade 5 only. My son was taking Suzuki violin. His teacher told me in Japan, some kids are already on book 10 or 11 at 6 years old.chamonix:
[quote=\"Dreamaurora\"]
Of course teachers will say that lar. I afterall also recommended to the parents for the 6 year olds to take grade 5 last year even though they were a bit apprehensive initially. What I was saying is one push the child just for the purpose of getting acknowledgements from the other parents, don't do it. As evidenced by that thread last year where I revealed that info and also the NAFA Young Talents course, many parents here are still quite wary of accelerating their kids, whether for music or for other activities.
Like Phankoa said, too much work for a non-music background mom like me. If he's really talented, he would still progress without taking exams at an early age.
It's very tempting of course for teachers, including me, to push students who have any hint of potential. The better the students play or perform or score for exams, the better a teacher's reputation is. But it is important also to acknowledge that afterall, we teachers teach students not for our glory, but to impart the same passion we had for music to our students.[/quote]
*gulp* you gonna think I must be a crazy mom, but I swear i am not. My son requested to learn Pathetique and Moonlight Sonata himself. He did MS Mvmt 1, teacher told him he can do Mvmt 2 on his own. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time for Mvmt 3. -
chamonix:
Moonlight 1st and 2nd movt are quite okay, the 3rd movt is the reason why it is in DipABRSM list; it is much much more difficult than the preceding 2 movements. Need well developed technique and suitably sized hand to even think of pulling that movement off at a decent speed. I've lost count of how many students butchered Moonlight's 3rd movt.
*gulp* you gonna think I must be a crazy mom, but I swear i am not. My son requested to learn Pathetique and Moonlight Sonata himself. He did MS Mvmt 1, teacher told him he can do Mvmt 2 on his own. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time for Mvmt 3.
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