All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[metz]

PhoBIA:

You are lucky. Maybe you would like to share how your son got motivated to do his practices when he first started out. Did you sit with him or he was so independent straight away?

Perhaps it was because I'm an ignorant parent?

When my son first started out with violin, he did receive some help from me in maintaining a straight bow. But other than that, I couldn't help him much. I have zero music background and can't tell the notes apart. I did try to guide him but that earned him scoldings from the teacher (taught him the wrong things). One thing I believe I did right was getting him to practise violin with his friend. It certainly helped a lot in his playing.

For piano, both he and my daughter (she was near 4 then) started out independently. Whenever I reminded them that it was time to practise, they would willingly go to the piano and practise on their own. Sometimes, I would also remind them their teachers' comments on their playing now and then. But my presence (at times) was merely to keep them company. (mommy has tons of housework to do and meals to prepare.)

Knowing my own limits very well, abrsm exams were never in my plan. Instead, I shared with my kids' piano teacher that I was more interested in them learning to play well than taking exams. The teacher took my request into account and taught them differently. While others' main focus was the abrsm exam, they hardly touched the abrsm books. The teacher would introduce tunes or pieces they preferred. There was never any pressure on them to practise for exams but only to do justice to the songs they were learning. It was the same for violin as they were doing Suzuki. Perhaps this was what motivated them from the start?

However till now, I still have to remind them to practise their instruments as they get distracted by books easily.

[metz]

One thing though, parents must be prepared that the kids' progress might be slower since the kids are the ones in charge. My daughter is one fine example. She is sensitive to music, has good ears, and remembers the scores surprisingly fast (but is weaker at sight reading). Unfortunately, she is not making the progress teachers are expecting. She is not as focused as her brother. But instead of harping on it, I deem it as part and parcel of growing up. Recently, she played a piece for her classmates in school. It was well received by them and a few even requested her to teach them. That kind of motivated her to take on a more serious attitude .

[phankao]

chamonix:

For piano, both he and my daughter (she was near 4 then) started out independently. Whenever I reminded them that it was time to practise, they would willingly go to the piano and practise on their own. Sometimes, I would also remind them their teachers' comments on their playing now and then. But my presence (at times) was merely to keep them company. (mommy has tons of housework to do and meals to prepare.)

<snip>

However till now, I still have to remind them to practise their instruments as they get distracted by books easily.

Reminds me of my littlest one practising piano in the mornings when I'm hanging up clothes, and then I'd shout out \"good\", \"try that again\"... haha.

I find it easier to supervise piano from far, but violin, I have to be right there so it takes more effort on the parent's part.

If you don't want to supervise, then let your children start only at 7 or 8yrs old lor. My older kids all did that. I just remind them to practice. It became a habit that they needed to practice first thing back from school before homework or play. On weekends, they often practice the moment they wake so they are free to do anything else.

[metz]

phankao:

chamonix:

For piano, both he and my daughter (she was near 4 then) started out independently. Whenever I reminded them that it was time to practise, they would willingly go to the piano and practise on their own. Sometimes, I would also remind them their teachers' comments on their playing now and then. But my presence (at times) was merely to keep them company. (mommy has tons of housework to do and meals to prepare.)

<snip>

However till now, I still have to remind them to practise their instruments as they get distracted by books easily.

Reminds me of my littlest one practising piano in the mornings when I'm hanging up clothes, and then I'd shout out \"good\", \"try that again\"... haha.

I find it easier to supervise piano from far, but violin, I have to be right there so it takes more effort on the parent's part.

If you don't want to supervise, then let your children start only at 7 or 8yrs old lor. My older kids all did that. I just remind them to practice. It became a habit that they needed to practice first thing back from school before homework or play. On weekends, they often practice the moment they wake so they are free to do anything else.

You know music, that's why you will ensure that your kid is playing violin right. For those like me, whether we are there to supervise or not, it doesn't really make much difference. The young child will have to depend on himself and the teacher.

[phankao]

chamonix:

You know music, that's why you will ensure that your kid is playing violin right. For those like me, whether we are there to supervise or not, it doesn't really make much difference. The young child will have to depend on himself and the teacher.

I didn't know anything about playing violin. One reason why I didn't supervise my elder boys. I did learn violin for a while when my older boy was 10yrs old, but just for my own enjoyment, but I'm quite lousy at it after the few years break with being pregnant and taking care of the youngest. I'm best at saying \"play that note again, out of tune\", that's all.

During practices, I just follow whatever the teacher has requested to be worked on each week. Same for piano, it's all written down on the \"To-Do Practice Notebook Page\" for each week. At least for piano, my little son could just follow and make sure he has done everything on the list (since he could read well already by then - so he could read the instructions).

[metz]

phankao:

chamonix:

You know music, that's why you will ensure that your kid is playing violin right. For those like me, whether we are there to supervise or not, it doesn't really make much difference. The young child will have to depend on himself and the teacher.

I didn't know anything about playing violin. One reason why I didn't supervise my elder boys. I did learn violin for a while when my older boy was 10yrs old, but just for my own enjoyment, but I'm quite lousy at it after the few years break with being pregnant and taking care of the youngest. I'm best at saying \"play that note again, out of tune\", that's all.

During practices, I just follow whatever the teacher has requested to be worked on each week. Same for piano, it's all written down on the \"To-Do Practice Notebook Page\" for each week. At least for piano, my little son could just follow and make sure he has done everything on the list (since he could read well already by then - so he could read the instructions).

Phankao, I can't even tell if they are playing a high c or low c. Not to mention telling them they are playing out of tune. Fortunately, my kids could differentiate if they are playing c or b. Their notes may be a little off pitch though. Greatest problem would be counting. (And depending on me for counting would be disaster. Even for a simple song like Happy Birthday, I'll be falling behind others.)

If you must know, I didn't even know I must take notes for violin at all. And yes, the teacher didn't write any notes down for them. Unless you mean the markings on the score itself. Literally, it was just going for lessons and coming back to practise on your own. But of course, my kids didn't start at 2 years old or younger. Very fortunately. Otherwise it's really throwing money down the drain. For piano, the teacher wrote down what they were expected to do. But my girl was near 4 then, doing her own practices and theory work was not any problem since she was an early reader.

Your littlest son is very fortunate to have a dedicated mother like you.

[metz]

[quote]If you don't want to supervise, then let your children start only at 7 or 8yrs old lor. My older kids all did that. I just remind them to practice. It became a habit that they needed to practice first thing back from school before homework or play. On weekends, they often practice the moment they wake so they are free to do anything else.[/quote]
For me, I don't see it as an age thing. At least not from my experience with my kids. For me, it has to do with what they are interested in. In fact, that's what my son told me a moment ago. He wants to do it and enjoys doing it.

What I am saying is that, if the child is interested and enjoys doing something they like, there will be no need to dangle carrots.

Well then, perhaps my kids are different.

PS: Must also be realistic too. Can't expect a 11 month old baby to practise on his own too, right?

[sleepy]

chamonix:

can't even tell if they are playing a high c or low c. Not to mention telling them they are playing out of tune. Fortunately, my kids could differentiate if they are playing c or b.

Hey, me too, totally tone deaf. My kids couldn't stand my out of pitch karaoke singing :rotflmao: Yes, they are absolutely on their own as far as their music learning journey are concerned. I only sit in for theory class to make sure my dd2 is not jumping around and sit in for practical to record video for dd1's cello. That's about it

[metz]

sleepy:

chamonix:

can't even tell if they are playing a high c or low c. Not to mention telling them they are playing out of tune. Fortunately, my kids could differentiate if they are playing c or b.

Hey, me too, totally tone deaf. My kids couldn't stand my out of pitch karaoke singing :rotflmao: Yes, they are absolutely on their own as far as their music learning journey are concerned. I only sit in for theory class to make sure my dd2 is not jumping around and sit in for practical to record video for dd1's cello. That's about it

Then I am luckier. Don't have to do much though I am currently (on and off) sitting in for violin lessons. $100/hour leh. Must spot check a little. So far so good.

[phankao]

chamonix:

If you must know, I didn't even know I must take notes for violin at all. And yes, the teacher didn't write any notes down for them. Unless you mean the markings on the score itself. Literally, it was just going for lessons and coming back to practise on your own. But of course, my kids didn't start at 2 years old or younger. Very fortunately. Otherwise it's really throwing money down the drain. For piano, the teacher wrote down what they were expected to do. But my girl was near 4 then, doing her own practices and theory work was not any problem since she was an early reader..

I don't take notes at all.

Teacher writes down in the practice book. I just follow.