All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[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.

[phankao]

chamonix:

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.

So ex?

Are u still overseas, that's why?

[metz]

phankao:

chamonix:

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.

So ex?

Are u still overseas, that's why?

Have been back in Singapore for a while.

Thought it was quite ex until i heard what my friend is paying - $180 an hour...

[sleepy]

chamonix:

phankao:

[quote=\"chamonix\"]

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.

So ex?

Are u still overseas, that's why?

Have been back in Singapore for a while.

Thought it was quite ex until i heard what my friend is paying - $180 an hour...[/quote] $180 :yikes:

I thought even SSO violinists or cellists with Masters degree are charging at most $100 to $120/hour?

Even then, I'm not ready to pay so much for grade 7 yet. A degree teacher will do for grade 8 & below, I think?

String teachers are usually charging by the hour regardless of grade so I shall save that sort of fees for diploma, if my dd intends to pursue diploma. Quite doubtful though :evil:

[metz]

sleepy:

$180 :yikes:

I thought even SSO violinists or cellists with Masters degree are charging at most $100 to $120/hour?

Even then, I'm not ready to pay so much for grade 7 yet. A degree teacher will do for grade 8 & below, I think?

String teachers are usually charging by the hour regardless of grade so I shall save that sort of fees for diploma, if my dd intends to pursue diploma. Quite doubtful though :evil:

Judging by the charges, the teacher must, of course, be of a different calibre from SSO performers. This kid is pretty talented, plays violin and piano, going for grade 8 for both next year and sings as well.

[metz]

sleepy:

$180 :yikes:

I thought even SSO violinists or cellists with Masters degree are charging at most $100 to $120/hour?

Even then, I'm not ready to pay so much for grade 7 yet. A degree teacher will do for grade 8 & below, I think?

String teachers are usually charging by the hour regardless of grade so I shall save that sort of fees for diploma, if my dd intends to pursue diploma. Quite doubtful though :evil:

My experience tells me teachers are very important in a child's music journey. Especially if the parents know naught about music. Communication between the teacher and child is very important.

If you are able to find one that works well with your kids and charges reasonably, and you are happy with their progress, then there's no need to look elsewhere.