All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[Dreamaurora]

wkrf:

Hi,


I am a noob to pianos and digital pianos. Have been scouting around for a budget digital piano for my DS (7 years olds - beginner just started, not sure how serious is he in continuing piano for the long term).

I understand that a good digital piano should have weighted keys.

Anyone using KORG out there who can share your experience?

I am considering

KORG SP170-DX ($800+), (somehow KORG weighted keys feels better, i am not too sure?)

or

Yamaha P105($1200)?

Any advice?

Until what grade, can a digital piano lasts the learner? When does he needs to change to acoustic piano?

Thanks in advanced.

The earlier you can get acoustic piano, the better. Of course if you want to, you can use a digital piano or cheap 2nd hand acoustic all the way to grade 8 and still manage to pass. But many details such as subtle touch changes, precise damper pedalling will be out of reach using a digital piano. So, if planning to play well, get a decent 2nd hand or brand new.

[Oh My Gosh]

DD is taking her Grade 1 exam this July. Her very first piano exam and I cant help as I have no musical background. In fact, I was a bit shocked when her piano teacher tells me cos she only started her piano lessons last July 2012, so I wasnt expecting her to take her practical so soon . Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

[phankao]

Oh My Gosh:

DD is taking her Grade 1 exam this July. Her very first piano exam and I cant help as I have no musical background. In fact, I was a bit shocked when her piano teacher tells me cos she only started her piano lessons last July 2012, so I wasnt expecting her to take her practical so soon . Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

Just go with the flow! ;D

[Dreamaurora]

Oh My Gosh:

DD is taking her Grade 1 exam this July. Her very first piano exam and I cant help as I have no musical background. In fact, I was a bit shocked when her piano teacher tells me cos she only started her piano lessons last July 2012, so I wasnt expecting her to take her practical so soon . Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

Taking first piano exam can be a very daunting experience, but with sufficient preparation and careful planning the experience can be a very positive one.

Try to finish the exam requirements early. If exam is July all requirements should be completed latest by end of May. This will give sufficient time to rehearse and boost overall confidence.

After all the exam requirements are complete, the teacher should go through the exam sequence in lesson i.e. mock exam. Normally 2 months before the exam I will give weekly mock exam for my students complete with marks given. First, this allows students to find out which part still deficient and need fixing. Second, this will familiarise them with the exam so they know what to expect when walking into that room. Beside mock exam, encourage your daughter to perform her exam pieces to you or friends from time to time.

You should also go through the exam etiquette with your daughter. Practice greeting the examiner, bowing, walking, adjusting the bench etc. The smoother the process is the more confident your daughter will be (and the happier the examiner will be).

All the best for your daughter's exam.

[jce]

Record her playing. Get her to play through scales and pieces without stopping even when there are slips. Play it back to her, positive comments and then what can be worked on. Prepare her for "if there are minor slips" or "if there is a major slip". These can make children nervous and go blank.

[peanut_butter]

Oh My Gosh:

Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

How nervous is she?

I did accompanying for three violin students last month. The most 'steady' among them was the one who booked, did his mock and practice in the actual venue for three weeks. But that can be quite expensive because you need to get a teacher to travel there.

[wkrf]

Thanks for the advice, OMG and Dreamaurora. It’s a great help!

[Dreamaurora]

peanut_butter:

Oh My Gosh:

Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

How nervous is she?

I did accompanying for three violin students last month. The most 'steady' among them was the one who booked, did his mock and practice in the actual venue for three weeks. But that can be quite expensive because you need to get a teacher to travel there.

This is actually quite important especially for pianists; often the interpretation need to be tweaked to suit the exam piano.

[Oh My Gosh]

peanut_butter:

Oh My Gosh:

Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

How nervous is she?

I did accompanying for three violin students last month. The most 'steady' among them was the one who booked, did his mock and practice in the actual venue for three weeks. But that can be quite expensive because you need to get a teacher to travel there.

Dont't think I will book the actual venue since it is only Grade 1. Ha.. But I will certainly do it for her Grade 8 exam (if her interest is still there).

[Oh My Gosh]

Dreamaurora:

Oh My Gosh:

DD is taking her Grade 1 exam this July. Her very first piano exam and I cant help as I have no musical background. In fact, I was a bit shocked when her piano teacher tells me cos she only started her piano lessons last July 2012, so I wasnt expecting her to take her practical so soon . Can anyone advise anything for the nervous little gal?

Taking first piano exam can be a very daunting experience, but with sufficient preparation and careful planning the experience can be a very positive one.

Try to finish the exam requirements early. If exam is July all requirements should be completed latest by end of May. This will give sufficient time to rehearse and boost overall confidence.

After all the exam requirements are complete, the teacher should go through the exam sequence in lesson i.e. mock exam. Normally 2 months before the exam I will give weekly mock exam for my students complete with marks given. First, this allows students to find out which part still deficient and need fixing. Second, this will familiarise them with the exam so they know what to expect when walking into that room. Beside mock exam, encourage your daughter to perform her exam pieces to you or friends from time to time.

You should also go through the exam etiquette with your daughter. Practice greeting the examiner, bowing, walking, adjusting the bench etc. The smoother the process is the more confident your daughter will be (and the happier the examiner will be).

All the best for your daughter's exam.

Thanks for the advice. The technical part of playing the pieces well, I have to leave it to the tutor as I have no musical background myself. I will take note of the exam etiquette. Thanks for the advice!