All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[XiaoXin]

Imami:

Hi bhchng, how did you get your son started? Mine is also 4 this year.

I am just too scare to move, for fear that I kill his interest with my own hands.

Imami, my son started his Baby Music Course at about 18 months. Progressively to Group Piano Course at 3 years old. He started his Individual Piano Course about 2-3 months back.

I have been with him throughout all the Music Courses. He is not alone. I am learning together with him. So, he doesn't feel scare and lonely as well. Experience Music Teacher is important as they know how to deal with young children. It is important to be with your child on the Individual Piano Course. Else, how are you going to practice with your child at home? Unless, your child is a Music Genius at birth.

Next, you will need to ask yourself. Is it you who wants the child to learn Music or the child who is interested to learn Music? I also get to know that some children are interested in other Music instruments like Violin or Flute than Piano. Have you tried other options?

Every child is different. I understand that my elder son is interested in Music so we continue the path. Not sure about my younger son who is 2 years old now. But we will still go via the same motion identify his interests. Just sharing our experiences. For your reference only.

Nothing is too late. I have also just started learning Music! :rahrah:

FYI. I have also helped my son to remember the musical notes by printing the flash card from this website. I cut them out individually and help him to remember.

http://makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_printit_lesson_resources/flash-cards-tc.htm

My son always asking me to help him. So, I tried my best to find materials for him.

[waiyean]

jedamum:

Another option for parents who planned in advance for future piano lessons is to try to source for preschools that conduct music lessons.

I wouldn't recommend that for parents who want child to have serious education in music. No control over quality of lessons in preschools, parents also cannot monitor and sit in the classes. I have heard of music teacher in a reputable and expensive preschool who cannot sing in pitch. Also progress is extremely slow as the teacher has to consider all children in the class, not all of them may be musically inclined.

[XiaoXin]

waiyean:

jedamum:

Another option for parents who planned in advance for future piano lessons is to try to source for preschools that conduct music lessons.

I wouldn't recommend that for parents who want child to have serious education in music. No control over quality of lessons in preschools, parents also cannot monitor and sit in the classes. I have heard of music teacher in a reputable and expensive preschool who cannot sing in pitch. Also progress is extremely slow as the teacher has to consider all children in the class, not all of them may be musically inclined.

Yup. I won't go down that path if the child is serious into Music.

[happy88mum]

hi,


any one has any recommendations for singing school?
want to build up her confidence to be able to sing or perform on stage,thanks

[jedamum]

bhchng:

waiyean:

[quote=\"jedamum\"]Another option for parents who planned in advance for future piano lessons is to try to source for preschools that conduct music lessons.

I wouldn't recommend that for parents who want child to have serious education in music. No control over quality of lessons in preschools, parents also cannot monitor and sit in the classes. I have heard of music teacher in a reputable and expensive preschool who cannot sing in pitch. Also progress is extremely slow as the teacher has to consider all children in the class, not all of them may be musically inclined.

Yup. I won't go down that path if the child is serious into Music.[/quote]Aiyo, how to know if kid is serious when not even start music lesson of any kind?? Unless one has the funds to send
Kids to professional music centres, those who intend to their kids learn music but not sure about their interests, my suggestion is just an alternative.t least it works for us who let our kids pick it up , not to learn professionally

[metz]

jedamum:

bhchng:

[quote=\"waiyean\"]
I wouldn't recommend that for parents who want child to have serious education in music. No control over quality of lessons in preschools, parents also cannot monitor and sit in the classes. I have heard of music teacher in a reputable and expensive preschool who cannot sing in pitch. Also progress is extremely slow as the teacher has to consider all children in the class, not all of them may be musically inclined.

Yup. I won't go down that path if the child is serious into Music.

Aiyo, how to know if kid is serious when not even start music lesson of any kind?? Unless one has the funds to send
Kids to professional music centres, those who intend to their kids learn music but not sure about their interests, my suggestion is just an alternative.t least it works for us who let our kids pick it up , not to learn professionally[/quote]Relax. waiyean meant parents who want their young children to have serious education in music, not the children themselves.

[waiyean]

jedamum:

bhchng:

[quote=\"waiyean\"]
I wouldn't recommend that for parents who want child to have serious education in music. No control over quality of lessons in preschools, parents also cannot monitor and sit in the classes. I have heard of music teacher in a reputable and expensive preschool who cannot sing in pitch. Also progress is extremely slow as the teacher has to consider all children in the class, not all of them may be musically inclined.

Yup. I won't go down that path if the child is serious into Music.

Aiyo, how to know if kid is serious when not even start music lesson of any kind?? Unless one has the funds to send
Kids to professional music centres, those who intend to their kids learn music but not sure about their interests, my suggestion is just an alternative.t least it works for us who let our kids pick it up , not to learn professionally[/quote]There are various alternatives to know whether the child is interested in music. At home, various activities can be done with the child. I remember when my DD is small, I have maracas, shakers, toy drums, etc at home to beat according to music from CD. Nursery rhymes and children songs are good.

You can also send the child to group sessions in music schools. They typically charges $30-40 per hour of lessons. As mentioned in some above postings, Seimpi is one such school that offers group lessons from below 1 years to preschool age.

I have nothing against music lessons conducted by preschools, just that it is highly dependent on quality of teachers, which the parents cannot validate in the preschool environment. Also, by the time the child is identified to show interest in learning music seriously, many months or even years may be wasted.

[metz]

waiyean:

I have nothing against music lessons conducted by preschools, just that it is highly dependent on quality of teachers, which the parents cannot validate in the preschool environment. Also, by the time the child is identified to show interest in learning music seriously, many months or even years may be wasted.

This is the same wherever one goes. For parents who have no music background or inclination to music, they would have no idea what constitutes good teaching quality, regardless of the setting.

[waiyean]

chamonix:

waiyean:

I have nothing against music lessons conducted by preschools, just that it is highly dependent on quality of teachers, which the parents cannot validate in the preschool environment. Also, by the time the child is identified to show interest in learning music seriously, many months or even years may be wasted.

This is the same wherever one goes. For parents who have no music background or inclination to music, they would have no idea what constitutes good teaching quality, regardless of the setting.

Yes agree, that's basically true and it applies to private teachers as well. However, in the case of music school and private teachers, at least the parent can sit in and look at how the teacher is interacting with the child, how engaging the lesson is conducted, and track the progress of the child, even without any music background. Whereas, in a preschool environment, those lessons are conducted without the parent's participation, and even if the preschool provide report cards after a term, it is unlikely they will focus very much specifically on the details and progress of the child in the area of music.

[metz]

Imami:

Apologies but this are I really need help - how to motivate the child?

I seem horribly unimaginative in this aspect - to motivate. But on the other hand, I could already imagine what could possibly happen - I drag my kid to his piano lessons with him brawling at the door, every attempt to get his little fingers on the piano is a hair tearing episode. :stupid: :stupid:

If that happens, then the kid is sending a very strong negative signal. You will need to find out the cause or causes why he's reacting so negatively. Is the pace too fast or too slow for him? Could it be there's no chemistry between the child and the teacher? That happened to my son was he 4.5 yrs old. One trial lesson with an inexperienced piano teacher was enough for him to hate piano. For more than a year, he wouldn't go near any piano.

But be ready to back off the idea if the child genuinely dislikes the instrument.
[quote]I have a feeling that I would need to really push my kid to learn piano. But the last thing I want is to force piano on him. It should be about what he likes. My role should be to provide what is needed (find a good teacher, buy a good piano, get the needed material) and to be a cheer leader.[/quote]Going through the various piano threads, you will realise some parents have no issues with motivation. They are fine with their children progressing at their own pace. Some kids took 3 years or more before embarking on their first exams. Are you comfortable with such progress? If not, are you ready to commit your time to learn and practise with your child as what some parents have suggested? If you can make a decision on the direction to take and your expectation, there will be fewer issues to struggle with.

This morning, I asked my daughter what prompted her to practise on her own when she was just 4 years old. She said she liked the tunes that the teacher taught her very much and wanted to be able to play them herself. Perhaps, one way of getting the children motivated is to start them on tunes they like or familiar with.