Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[metz]

Dreamaurora:

chamonix:

*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.

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.

Guess that's why the teacher told him there wasn't enough time to start on Mvmt 3. We had only 2 weeks left then. He was pretty disappointed cos he liked Mvmt 3 most.

[Dreamaurora]

chamonix:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"chamonix\"]

*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.

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.

Guess that's why the teacher told him there wasn't enough time to start on Mvmt 3. We had only 2 weeks left then. He was pretty disappointed cos he liked Mvmt 3 most.[/quote]Well, let him take his time. One of the disturbing trends nowadays is a lot of students are playing very difficult pieces at too early an age and neglecting to learn the standard repertoire. So a student may be able to play Moonlight Sonata or Chopin Etudes but completely hopeless in learning and performing something simpler, say Macdowell's Wild Rose.

The same criticism can also be levelled to students who are too dependent on ABRSM/Trinity exam systems. I am seeing this in my diploma students who transferred to me after getting their grade 8s. I gave them easier grade 4-6 pieces for them to learn on themselves and they had difficulties picking up the pieces by themselves. It is definitely a deficiency that could be prevented earlier.

[metz]

phankao:

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

Mine are no preschoolers now:)

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]Btw, I am staying in a small town, not many music festivals for young children to speak of. The norm for kids to start an instrument is around 6 or 7 years old. Usually, the conservatoire doesn't take children younger than that.

[metz]

Dreamaurora:

chamonix:

[quote=\"Dreamaurora\"]

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.

Guess that's why the teacher told him there wasn't enough time to start on Mvmt 3. We had only 2 weeks left then. He was pretty disappointed cos he liked Mvmt 3 most.

Well, let him take his time. One of the disturbing trends nowadays is a lot of students are playing very difficult pieces at too early an age and neglecting to learn the standard repertoire. So a student may be able to play Moonlight Sonata or Chopin Etudes but completely hopeless in learning and performing something simpler, say Macdowell's Wild Rose.

The same criticism can also be levelled to students who are too dependent on ABRSM/Trinity exam systems. I am seeing this in my diploma students who transferred to me after getting their grade 8s. I gave them easier grade 4-6 pieces for them to learn on themselves and they had difficulties picking up the pieces by themselves. It is definitely a deficiency that could be prevented earlier.[/quote]
Yes, I agree with you. I would prefer my kids to learn and play all levels of music.

Fortunately for us, this teacher doesn't concentrate on difficult pieces only. Usually, she will also give him easier pieces as well.

[waiyean]

chamonix:

Anyway, what do you intend for your dd when she finishes all the exams?

I have no idea. Guess it will depend on the child's interest right?
Fortunately for me, that's still many years to come.

[micollh]

my take: e.,g JMC DD and i are enjoying the learning process, i know there is no grading and i wont rush for it. but eventually, i would want her to take her grading exam maybe after her JMC course at least. the enjoyment in learning is more important than exam/grading/pushing beyond limits… maybe cos i do not have much musical background/grading experience to talk abt… so we are just two plain vanilla going in to learn whatever is there… DD likes the class, can play on her own without me reminding her… but come to the theory part, i need to put in effort as i myself is just learning it and then need to teach her…at her age, she is learning thru what she listen and see… shall see how we move on after her JMC course i guess…

[phankao]

Easyscales:

Now, EasyScales Visual Guide offers a unique learning method to help your child at every steps of learning the piano scales.

Check this out http://www.pianoeasyscales.com

Please feel free to ask any question.

This would certainly be something that kids like my youngest boy cannot use as they are not taught and coached by \"finger numbers\" (1-thumb, 2-index, 3-middle, 4-ring, 5-little).

[waiyean]

Speaking about scales, what does your child’s typical day’s practice looks like?

Any advices from teachers on what percent of time spent should be on scales, sight-reading, pieces, aural, finger exercises, etc?

Is it advisable to start with finger exercises?

[Dreamaurora]

waiyean:

Speaking about scales, what does your child's typical day's practice looks like?

Any advices from teachers on what percent of time spent should be on scales, sight-reading, pieces, aural, finger exercises, etc?

Is it advisable to start with finger exercises?

I always encourage students to practice the sightreading exercises i assign to them first then followed by finger exercises and scales. Personally for lower grade I would advise students to spend equal time practicing sightreading and exercises and their pieces e.g. 20 minutes for sightreading and exercises followed by 20 minutes of pieces. Aural normally no need to practice everyday, just on selective days.

[waiyean]

Dreamaurora:

I always encourage students to practice the sightreading exercises i assign to them first then followed by finger exercises and scales. Personally for lower grade I would advise students to spend equal time practicing sightreading and exercises and their pieces e.g. 20 minutes for sightreading and exercises followed by 20 minutes of pieces. Aural normally no need to practice everyday, just on selective days.

Hi, I have read several times on this forum about \"practicing\" sight reading exercises. Isn't sight reading supposed to be unpracticed? Usually these sight reading exercises are 1-2 grades below, is it useful to be practicing them?

Thanks for your advice on the equal time between sight reading / exercises and pieces.