Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[Dreamaurora]

kathyh:

means have to remember at least two times more syllables ? that seems too much for kids, any better alternative? or just ignore the sharp and flat will do?

Not exactly two times lar, because only the vowels are different. The solfege is as such because they help the pitching. Rounded vowels such as 'O' and 'A' are used to pitch the so called 'lower notes'. Nasal vowel such as 'I' easier to pitch 'higher notes'. This got to do with the way sound resonates within our jaw; a vocal teacher can explain this easier to you. Not using correct vowels for the accidental notes may result in slightly off-pitch singing, though I don't think pianists will be expected to sing pitch-perfect for exams. So I think for your son's case, it is okay to just use basic solfege even for the black keys.

[kathyh]

Oh, thanks, now I understand better


One more question is: for the black key right, let say, Eb is also D#, so we sing \"Me\" or \"Re\"?

Dreamaurora:

kathyh:

means have to remember at least two times more syllables ? that seems too much for kids, any better alternative? or just ignore the sharp and flat will do?

Not exactly two times lar, because only the vowels are different. The solfege is as such because they help the pitching. Rounded vowels such as 'O' and 'A' are used to pitch the so called 'lower notes'. Nasal vowel such as 'I' easier to pitch 'higher notes'. This got to do with the way sound resonates within our jaw; a vocal teacher can explain this easier to you. Not using correct vowels for the accidental notes may result in slightly off-pitch singing, though I don't think pianists will be expected to sing pitch-perfect for exams. So I think for your son's case, it is okay to just use basic solfege even for the black keys.

[Honesty]

Thanks, Dreamaurora for your explanation. My DD is 8 this year and I believe a year preparation is good for her too. Her teacher basically asked her to learn the exam pieces herself. She will correct her if some notes are read wrongly or the fingerings are placed incorrectly.


After the upcoming exam, DD will explore classical/jazz pieces. Just wonder if it is still possible to prepare and take the gr 5 in Jul/Sep 14…

[Dreamaurora]

kathyh:

Oh, thanks, now I understand better


One more question is: for the black key right, let say, Eb is also D#, so we sing \"Me\" or \"Re\"?

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"kathyh\"]means have to remember at least two times more syllables ? that seems too much for kids, any better alternative? or just ignore the sharp and flat will do?

Not exactly two times lar, because only the vowels are different. The solfege is as such because they help the pitching. Rounded vowels such as 'O' and 'A' are used to pitch the so called 'lower notes'. Nasal vowel such as 'I' easier to pitch 'higher notes'. This got to do with the way sound resonates within our jaw; a vocal teacher can explain this easier to you. Not using correct vowels for the accidental notes may result in slightly off-pitch singing, though I don't think pianists will be expected to sing pitch-perfect for exams. So I think for your son's case, it is okay to just use basic solfege even for the black keys.

[/quote]Depend on how the note is approached and its harmonic function. Let's say the Eb is approached by downward scalic motion e.g. G F Eb. It will be easier to pitch it using mo or ma as the Eb is treated as a 'lower note'. But let's say it's other way around e.g. C D Eb, it will be easier to pitch the Eb as a D# instead i.e. Ri.

[Dreamaurora]

Honesty:

Thanks, Dreamaurora for your explanation. My DD is 8 this year and I believe a year preparation is good for her too. Her teacher basically asked her to learn the exam pieces herself. She will correct her if some notes are read wrongly or the fingerings are placed incorrectly.

After the upcoming exam, DD will explore classical/jazz pieces. Just wonder if it is still possible to prepare and take the gr 5 in Jul/Sep 14...

Well, you should probably sit down and plan together with your dd's teacher the planning for that. By the way, abrsm Singapore is going to resume graded jazz exam syllabus next year, you might want to consider it.

[Honesty]

Dreamaurora:

Honesty:

Thanks, Dreamaurora for your explanation. My DD is 8 this year and I believe a year preparation is good for her too. Her teacher basically asked her to learn the exam pieces herself. She will correct her if some notes are read wrongly or the fingerings are placed incorrectly.

After the upcoming exam, DD will explore classical/jazz pieces. Just wonder if it is still possible to prepare and take the gr 5 in Jul/Sep 14...

Well, you should probably sit down and plan together with your dd's teacher the planning for that. By the way, abrsm Singapore is going to resume graded jazz exam syllabus next year, you might want to consider it.

Wow, graded jazz syllabus! What will be the difference? :scratchhead:

[daffyhan]

Hi Dreamaurora, u’ve got mail.

[daffyhan]

Hi Dreamaurora,


Thanks much for your advice.

[Dreamaurora]

Honesty:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"Honesty\"]
Thanks, Dreamaurora for your explanation. My DD is 8 this year and I believe a year preparation is good for her too. Her teacher basically asked her to learn the exam pieces herself. She will correct her if some notes are read wrongly or the fingerings are placed incorrectly.

After the upcoming exam, DD will explore classical/jazz pieces. Just wonder if it is still possible to prepare and take the gr 5 in Jul/Sep 14...

Well, you should probably sit down and plan together with your dd's teacher the planning for that. By the way, abrsm Singapore is going to resume graded jazz exam syllabus next year, you might want to consider it.

Wow, graded jazz syllabus! What will be the difference? :scratchhead:[/quote]Syllabus is here.

http://sg.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/jazz/jazz-piano/

I'm planning to take the grade 5 exam also next year.

[momresource]

Hi Dreamaurora,


I am a parent with a 8yr old active boy. When he was 2+yrs old, he was accepted to a group keyboard class meant for 3+ onwards. He went on the program for about 2 years; then followed by another keyboard program for 2 more years. We tried to start him on piano 1-1 when he was 6year old, but has changed 3 teachers during the 1 year period(reasons: teacher moved on to other school, timing clashes etc). All their feedback was he was too active, can’t focus, lack of practice, short-term memory… then we are back at square ones again with each new teacher… start from the beginning to correct seating posture, hand position, basic notes reading.

After much consideration, we put an end to it to stop all lessons, be it group or individual. We felt it was a waste but recently, the boy is humming tunes and kept talking about those good memories of learning piano. We are tempted to start him again but with fear of history repeating itself.

Do you have any advice for us?

PS: kid is straight A, Band1 student, is not just not musically inclinced?