All About Violin Classes and Teachers

[phankao]

musette:

Dreamaurora:

A lot of major repertoire for most instruments are only covered in Diploma levels.

That's what I heard too! Real playing begins after grade 8!

Dreamaurora:

That being said, performance Diplomas require major commitments. Students need to be proactive in learning, researching, and performing. A disciplined practice regime over an extended period of time is also mandatory; entry level diplomas such as DipABRSM or ALCM will take approximately 1.5 to 2 years or even more to prepare sufficiently. And it is not cheap either to engage proper teacher for the lessons. Cutting corners for diploma preparation will only result in disaster. A lot of these diplomas have 30%-40% passing rate every year.

Thanks, Dreamaurora for the info. I think she'll be v.busy next year when she's in Sec 1 and if she continues with competitive swimming.

Thinking whether we should just let her continue lessons without aiming for Diploma. Will such lessons be less expensive? To stop after getting a distinction in Grade 8 seems such as waste!

Yes, it's true. After Grade 8, lots more exciting repertoire. The child tends to be more versatile. My boy enjoys the music-making. He has informal casual groups, ensembles for exam and also solo performances in school and also large orchestra. So quite fun lah.

[Dreamaurora]

musette:

Dreamaurora:

A lot of major repertoire for most instruments are only covered in Diploma levels.

That's what I heard too! Real playing begins after grade 8!

Dreamaurora:

That being said, performance Diplomas require major commitments. Students need to be proactive in learning, researching, and performing. A disciplined practice regime over an extended period of time is also mandatory; entry level diplomas such as DipABRSM or ALCM will take approximately 1.5 to 2 years or even more to prepare sufficiently. And it is not cheap either to engage proper teacher for the lessons. Cutting corners for diploma preparation will only result in disaster. A lot of these diplomas have 30%-40% passing rate every year.

Thanks, Dreamaurora for the info. I think she'll be v.busy next year when she's in Sec 1 and if she continues with competitive swimming.

Thinking whether we should just let her continue lessons without aiming for Diploma. Will such lessons be less expensive? To stop after getting a distinction in Grade 8 seems such as waste!

Actually a lot of people who get distinction for grade 8 thought they would logically do well for Diplomas. Not true and a lot of these students found out the hard and costly way. But anyway if your child is not keen on taking Diplomas but would still like to learn more advanced repertoire, she can perhaps take lessons on ad hoc basic. And learn finish the pieces before going for lessons. I do still recommend there is some sort of goals to work towards for such as a performance or mini recital, if not there will not be focus and your daughter may slowly lose interest in playing the instrument.

[Koolmama]

Hihi!


A few months ago quite a number of parents here were asking me for my son's violin teacher contact... Unfortunately that time he was full so could not take in any new students.. But now that the Sept exam period is over, he has a few slots opening up as some of his students will be leaving after completing their Grade 8/Diploma :rahrah: If anyone is interested in his having his contact, pls PM me

P.S. He takes in students for all grades, but minimum age is 6 years old (5 years old i think possible, subject to interview

[Blessedwife]

Hi koolmama,


Good morning !
Did u PM me ? I saw its fm u but it's blank de.
Can you share with me about yr kid's tutor ? How is his teaching ?
Thank you !!!

Hi Dreamaurora,

Thank you for taking your precious time to reply to my post !!
I really appreciate it
Too bad my son is not learning piano else I think u will be a very good teacher for him


Feel great to know there are so many helpful parents in this forum who are not selfish to share any useful informations !!

[Blessedwife]

Hi Phankao,


Just saw your PM and thanks for yr kind advice !!
:thankyou:

[Dreamaurora]

Blessedwife:

Hi koolmama,


Good morning !
Did u PM me ? I saw its fm u but it's blank de.
Can you share with me about yr kid's tutor ? How is his teaching ?
Thank you !!!

Hi Dreamaurora,

Thank you for taking your precious time to reply to my post !!
I really appreciate it
Too bad my son is not learning piano else I think u will be a very good teacher for him


Feel great to know there are so many helpful parents in this forum who are not selfish to share any useful informations !!

You're welcome. Violin is a great instrument and I would want to be good at it one day too. All the best for your son.

[phankao]

Blessedwife:

Hi Phankao,


Just saw your PM and thanks for yr kind advice !!
:thankyou:

You are welcome.

[Koolmama]

Hi Blessed Wife,


Yes, I did PM you and a few other parents who PMed me before... Strange, how come the message was blank?! what a shame cos I actually wrote quite a lot in that message to you.. Hee!

Anyway, if you are looking for a strict teacher, you can consider my son's teacher. He tends to get stricter with his students as they move up the grades. He's one of the very few teachers in Sg who teaches all the way from lower grades to higher grades (ie. many of his students start from beginner level and continue all the way until Grade 8 and Diploma)

Also, he stresses a lot on sight reading... All his students are trained to recognise notes from young (he himself used to perform for celebrities and live concerts and apparently you need to be very strong in sight reading in order to be called up for these performances)

He only accepts students aged 5 or 6 and above, though If you want his contact, can you pls drop me a PM or just leave your email address here and I will email you his number? Thanks!!

P.s. My child could sight read quite well after learning only a few months with him

Blessedwife:

Hi koolmama,

Good morning !
Did u PM me ? I saw its fm u but it's blank de.
Can you share with me about yr kid's tutor ? How is his teaching ?
Thank you !!!

Hi Dreamaurora,

Thank you for taking your precious time to reply to my post !!
I really appreciate it
Too bad my son is not learning piano else I think u will be a very good teacher for him


Feel great to know there are so many helpful parents in this forum who are not selfish to share any useful informations !!

[r2010]

I have sec 1 boy who just started learning violin for 5 months and passed his grade 2. He wants to take exam next sept - should I make him take grade 4 or grade 3. Thanks for any advise

[Dreamaurora]

r2010:

I have sec 1 boy who just started learning violin for 5 months and passed his grade 2. He wants to take exam next sept - should I make him take grade 4 or grade 3. Thanks for any advise

I am puzzled at the information you provided. If you said your sec 1 boy just taken an exam recently, that means your son needed to register for the exam by March 2nd, more than 5 months to the actual exam date. Did your son register for the exam before even starting any violin lessons? :scratchhead:

Anyway, what grade your son takes next will depend on his learning speed and his teacher. Most important he should not skip any of the fundamentals and make sure repertoires for each progressive grade are covered sufficiently. So meaning if he wants to take grade 4 he should clear the requirements for grade 3 first.