NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion
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ThinkingLoft:
Hi ThinkingLoft, thanks for sharing.
Masterclasses are held every 5 weeks. All students have to participate in the masterclasses. The size of each class depends on the size of the cohort. Typically the prep and Grade 1 classes will have bigger sizes and the numbers become smaller the higher the grades.
Which grade is your DD doing, and how many are there in her class?
How many pieces does each child play in each masterclass, and what are the selections? Is it mostly exam pieces, or other pieces selected by teachers?
You mentioned that the experience in the masterclass is quite positive. What about the usual weekly classes? Is it equally positive, or are there big differences between teachers and principal?
Sorry for so many questions, but I am contemplating sending my DD to NAFA next year, and was wondering if that is the best place for her to be in. -
ThinkingLoft:
My DS went through his first masterclass on piano. We were much stressed out on the tapping requirements. My DD is still unable to do the tapping well. Any tips on training him on this? We are getting nightmares over thiskathyh:
NAFA parents: how is the recent Masterclass going?
DD went through her first masterclass. The whole experience was much better than what we anticipated (given all the horror stories we have heard before). Overall the principal was very positive in the way she gave comments. I also like the way she actually invited the children (mostly 6 years old) to reflect on their own playing, whether they are satisfied with their own performance, if yes, which parts, if no, which parts.
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CatLoh:
My DS went through his first masterclass on piano. We were much stressed out on the tapping requirements. My DD is still unable to do the tapping well. Any tips on training him on this? We are getting nightmares over thisThinkingLoft:
[quote=\"kathyh\"]NAFA parents: how is the recent Masterclass going?
DD went through her first masterclass. The whole experience was much better than what we anticipated (given all the horror stories we have heard before). Overall the principal was very positive in the way she gave comments. I also like the way she actually invited the children (mostly 6 years old) to reflect on their own playing, whether they are satisfied with their own performance, if yes, which parts, if no, which parts.[/quote]Which technical exercise your DD is doing now to train the tapping? Then I can try to advise you.
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Dreamdora: u r against tapping, aren’t you?
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kathyh:
Dreamdora: u r against tapping, aren't you?
I am against it but that does not mean it is an invalid piano technique. One of my ex teachers was a big advocate of finger tapping and like what I said before there are benefits of finger tapping technique. -
What is the disadvantage though? May we know who else promotes it except for the principal ?
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Which technical exercise your DD is doing now to train the tapping? Then I can try to advise you.[/quote]
No technical exercise per sa, was told to practise on a piece in Czerny over and over again with tapping. But my son does not seem to be able to lift each of his finger high enough. The Teacher mentioned that she is worried for my boy as he does not seem to be able to do the tapping as per required. Heard from the principal during the master class that NAFA kicks students out just beacuse they can’t master the tapping. Really stressed! -
kathyh:
What is the disadvantage though? May we know who else promotes it except for the principal ?
Victor Khor also teaches tapping in his lessons AFAIK. Most obvious disadvantage of tapping is limited range of sonorities and percussive sound. If not careful may have tension problem leading to carpal tunnel as well. But the benefits of clear firm sound and high notational accuracy are attractive to many teachers who practice finger tapping. -
CatLoh:
Which technical exercise your DD is doing now to train the tapping? Then I can try to advise you.
No technical exercise per sa, was told to practise on a piece in Czerny over and over again with tapping. But my son does not seem to be able to lift each of his finger high enough. The Teacher mentioned that she is worried for my boy as he does not seem to be able to do the tapping as per required. Heard from the principal during the master class that NAFA kicks students out just beacuse they can't master the tapping. Really stressed![/quote]
Czerny is technical exercise. Which number and opus? You can try exercise no 2 from dohnanyi's essential finger exercises. That exercise is to train lifting up of individual fingers while holding the others. -
DD seems to benefit from tapping on Hanon. On the other hand, repeating the same piece over and over again seems to result in diminishing return for her.
During DD’s practice, I usually try to get her to do this order: Hanon, scales, Czerny, exam piece 1, 2, free choice of whatever she feels like playing (which usually ends up being exam piece 3, 4, 5 unless I remind her to play something else).
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