<![CDATA[Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades]]>Hi Would like to know :


1. What would be reasonable charges for individual piano grade 7 and grade 4? On grade 7, what would be the charges for practical and theory?

2. We were told that after grade 5 there is a big jump in theory to grade 6, and extra lesson time (and $$) would be required. Is the normal practice?

3. Actually my daughter is half way thru the grade 7 syllabus, but the teacher has left and the new teacher assigned by the school doesnt teach theory above grade 5. Would it be feasible for my daughter to self-study to finish the grade 7 theory and take exams on her own? She is reasonably independent and smart.

4. Lastly I was also told that some students stop theory after grade 5, and continue the theory only after they finish grade 8 practical. Would it be preferable to go down this route rather than do both practical and theory concurrently after grade 5?

Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/13849/piano-grade-7-amp-4-and-qns-on-theory-for-higher-gradesRSS for NodeMon, 27 Apr 2026 04:56:04 GMTTue, 14 Sep 2010 05:12:34 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:59:13 GMT]]>During the hol, students can have as many as 3 lessons per wk, but generally 2 is sufficient, some can even stick with 1 if foundation is good (and they don’t forget what they’ve learnt). As for charges, it’s the normal hourly charges as the class is 1-1.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/262852https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/262852Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:59:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:23:40 GMT]]>

jce:
One of my theory student is doing that - intensive over the hol, attempting gr 8 theory in March. Many gr 5 students would do that as well.

So how many lessons will do they usually do during the hols? How much wd the charges be for grade 7? thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/262535https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/262535Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:23:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:35:13 GMT]]>One of my theory student is doing that - intensive over the hol, attempting gr 8 theory in March. Many gr 5 students would do that as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/261008https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/261008Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:35:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:47:35 GMT]]>My girl is not doing MEP though her school offers it, but she is in the string ensemble playing the cello (learnt from scratch last yr and performed overseas with the school within the same yr). I wasnt initially that keen on her taking on another instrument, but she really wanted it, so i let her have her choice. So she has musical interests.


As for studying of theory, she has always been quite independent… i think the previous teacher also doesnt push her much.

I dont know if it wd be feasible to say have some ‘intensive’ theory lessons only during the dec hols to finish up the rest of the grade 7 theory and aim for the exams early next yr.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260653https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260653Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:47:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:29:12 GMT]]>I have heard that O level in music is similar to grade 6 theory. Is this true? All sec schools offer O level in music?


sporemum, your girl in Sec? Is her interest in music strong in terms of would do self reading?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260639https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260639Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:29:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:48:41 GMT]]>HI Thanks for all the comments! More comments/thots welcome.


The other problem besides being unable to find a suitable teacher who can teach theory is that she also have little time on her hands in sec school. It is always a dilemma how to balance with the various needs.

Besides the full hour needed for grade 7 practical, how much extra time shd we set aside for theory ? Any indicative rates from anyone?

Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260628https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260628Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:48:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:46:48 GMT]]>

jce:
Being smart (academically) is different from \"music smart\" and/or \"theory smart\". Theory can't be studied academically in many ways. Yes, it is true that gr 7 theory is similar to 6 and grade 8 is a combination of both but one needs to know the ins-and-outs to really understand and not just memorise it. I'm sure you want the child to understand and be able to use it to enhance her practical.stop.

I agree with JCE. But with only a few months to go, it would not be easy to find a teacher who is 1)Knowledgeable in theory. 2)Can explain clearly. 3)Available.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260602https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260602Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:46:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:24:26 GMT]]>Being smart (academically) is different from "music smart" and/or "theory smart". Theory can’t be studied academically in many ways. Yes, it is true that gr 7 theory is similar to 6 and grade 8 is a combination of both but one needs to know the ins-and-outs to really understand and not just memorise it. I’m sure you want the child to understand and be able to use it to enhance her practical. Some choose to cover the theory first, some choose otherwise. I personally find that if one chooses to cover practical first, chances of completing the theory is very slim. I think the fact that theory gr 8 is not "needed" as a prerequisite just makes people stop.


And yes as noted by peanut butter, grade 6 theory onwards will need the "extra time" as practical in higher grades will need the full hour in order to cover what is necessary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260322https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/260322Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:24:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Piano Grade 7 &amp; 4 and Qns on Theory for higher grades on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:01:55 GMT]]>

sporemum:
Hi Would like to know :


2. We were told that after grade 5 there is a big jump in theory to grade 6, and extra lesson time (and $$) would be required. Is the normal practice?

3. Actually my daughter is half way thru the grade 7 syllabus, but the teacher has left and the new teacher assigned by the school doesnt teach theory above grade 5. Would it be feasible for my daughter to self-study to finish the grade 7 theory and take exams on her own? She is reasonably independent and smart.

4. Lastly I was also told that some students stop theory after grade 5, and continue the theory only after they finish grade 8 practical. Would it be preferable to go down this route rather than do both practical and theory concurrently after grade 5?
2. Yes.

3. I have a few colleagues who were self-taught for their grade 8 theory exams. Grade 7 is a smaller step up from Grade 6, compared to grade 5 to Grade 6. She should have a decent fighting chance if she passed Grade 6 well. Do the past-year papers and purchase the answers as well.

4. If she can cope, better to do both concurrently. Theory knowledge is very useful for practical.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259911https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/259911Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:01:55 GMT