<![CDATA[Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'?]]>Hi parents with kids learning string instruments, appreciate your advice 😄


My girl is learning abrsm grade 3 exam pieces right now. Her sight reading is quite good. For pieces that teacher never teach, she can self learn & play.

However, I noticed her playing is not that ideal. Does not sound 'beautiful' to me. Even for grade 2 pieces which she's familar with, somehow still doesn't sound 'beautiful'.

I'm not sure it's teacher's problem or her problem...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/25579/why-string-instrument-doesn-t-sound-beautifulRSS for NodeWed, 22 Apr 2026 15:53:11 GMTMon, 05 Sep 2011 11:41:42 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:36:29 GMT]]>

chamonix:
sleepy:



Wow, both of you are so well informed 😉

Phankao is the well informed one lah. She has a wealth of knowledge in music and is ever so generous to share them. 😉


I'm just \"KAPOH\" in capitals! haha. That's why I know (nosey, too).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595954https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595954Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:36:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:31:54 GMT]]>

sleepy:
phankao:

[quote=\"chamonix\"]Chen Xiu Huan's daughter held the 3rd place in NPVC 2009? I had the wrong impression, kept thinking she was first.


Yea her daughter from NAFA took 3rd. A boy- Sylvia khoo's student, took 1st. 2nd also boy- from YST.

Wow, both of you are so well informed 😉[/quote]Phankao is the well informed one lah. She has a wealth of knowledge in music and is ever so generous to share them. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595952https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595952Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:31:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:22:13 GMT]]>

phankao:
chamonix:

Chen Xiu Huan's daughter held the 3rd place in NPVC 2009? I had the wrong impression, kept thinking she was first.


Yea her daughter from NAFA took 3rd. A boy- Sylvia khoo's student, took 1st. 2nd also boy- from YST.

Wow, both of you are so well informed 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595396https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595396Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:22:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:20:13 GMT]]>

chamonix:
Would you recommend Mandeville?

I heard about Wolfgang for violin

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595395https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595395Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:20:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:45:42 GMT]]>

chamonix:
The eldest boy's SSO teacher?


Is your youngest with Sylvia Khoo now? Would you recommend Mandeville?
My youngest is with quite an unknown teacher.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595371https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595371Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:45:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:00:40 GMT]]>The eldest boy’s SSO teacher?


Is your youngest with Sylvia Khoo now? Would you recommend Mandeville?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595326https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595326Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:00:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:40:59 GMT]]>

chamonix:
Chen Xiu Huan's daughter held the 3rd place in NPVC 2009? I had the wrong impression, kept thinking she was first.


Btw, are most violin teachers more forgiving towards young students playing the wrong pitch? I'm starting to feel I may have been too critical towards our ex-French violin teacher. I withdrew my son from her class because she didn't seem bothered by kids playing off pitch and without feeling. His sg violin teacher was annoyed every time he played a note a little higher or lower.

PS: can't watch the first clip.
Yea her daughter from NAFA took 3rd. A boy- Sylvia khoo's student, took 1st. 2nd also boy- from YST.

Don't know about others but my ds' tr was always v strict About intonation .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595325https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595325Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:40:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:25:12 GMT]]>Chen Xiu Huan’s daughter held the 3rd place in NPVC 2009? I had the wrong impression, kept thinking she was first.


Btw, are most violin teachers more forgiving towards young students playing the wrong pitch? I’m starting to feel I may have been too critical towards our ex-French violin teacher. I withdrew my son from her class because she didn’t seem bothered by kids playing off pitch and without feeling. His sg violin teacher was annoyed every time he played a note a little higher or lower.

PS: can’t watch the first clip.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595323https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595323Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:25:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:10:44 GMT]]>

chamonix:
For Junior category, what's the age of the youngest top 3 winners? The average age of winners? Would you say around 9?

Maybe lah. Last NPVC, I think for violin jr, 1st was 8yo, 2nd 12yo, 3rd 9yo.
Cuteness factor does come into play. I thought the 2nd & 3rd prize winners' performances were much much finer. 1st prizewinner alot of rough spots but he played with alot of passion. Can't comment about the year before because I didn't personally watch, but this is the 1st prizewinner of 2007, also 9yo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-EzQPHACag This was one of the pieces she did for the comps.

This girl was one of the finalists in prev NPVC. Probably one of the strong contenders for this year's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOjWYagPZT8 Not sure if her age (now 11yo) would be against her vs younger violnists' cuteness.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595320https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595320Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:10:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:53:50 GMT]]>For Junior category, what’s the age of the youngest top 3 winners? The average age of winners? Would you say around 9?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595317https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595317Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:53:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:25:47 GMT]]>

phankao:
chamonix:

Pardon me for this silly question - For the Junior and Intermediate categories, at what levels must the competitors be playing at? Grade 8 and Diploma respectively?


A lot of the competitors in Junior category play grade 8 and diploma pieces. To some of the very young participants, it could mean book 7 or book 8 of Suzuki for them(some of these pieces are/have been grade 8 exam pieces as well). But the participants may not necessarily be doing that grade themselves in their personal music lessons/exams. As long as they can handle those 3 pieces they put in their programme well, that's fine.

Some of the common pieces from Suzuki Books that are also current/previous grade 8 violin pieces are eg. these:

Bach concerto
http://youtu.be/qgNnHnZQc3Q

Vivaldi A-minor
http://youtu.be/klmGnSVVF5M

So during the NPVC junior category, you'd often hear pieces like these in the participants' programmes, especially those of the very young - eg. below 9years old - who haven't had that much time to explore more varied repertoire.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595312https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595312Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:25:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:10:05 GMT]]>So desu ne. Now I understand. Haven’t been to one yet, so the string of silly questions mah. Thanks for the explanation!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595164https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595164Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:10:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:07:04 GMT]]>

chamonix:
Meaning, the competitors just have to focus on the 3 songs only, right? Are those in the Junior category expected to complete the entire piece of music? I'm quite confused by the different lengths of time required by each category.

I should think they are expected to perform the whole piece! Bc you have to submit the scores on registration. So unless you submit an arranged version (arranged by yourself or teacher - cut short the song, etc), then how to play only a part of the song?

But then again, during the preliminaries, the judges will rarely let the competitors play the whole piece. They will ask them to play eg. starting from Cadenza, or Bar no. XXX, etc. Then ask them to play another part of another piece, etc.

That's what I observed.

Of course for the more senior categories, the length of performance time is expected to be longer.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595160https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595160Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:07:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:57:29 GMT]]>Meaning, the competitors just have to focus on the 3 songs only, right? Are those in the Junior category expected to complete the entire piece of music? I’m quite confused by the different lengths of time required by each category.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595155https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595155Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:57:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:46:21 GMT]]>

chamonix:
Pardon me for this silly question - For the Junior and Intermediate categories, at what levels must the competitors be playing at? Grade 8 and Diploma respectively?

A lot of the competitors in Junior category play grade 8 and diploma pieces. To some of the very young participants, it could mean book 7 or book 8 of Suzuki for them(some of these pieces are/have been grade 8 exam pieces as well). But the participants may not necessarily be doing that grade themselves in their personal music lessons/exams. As long as they can handle those 3 pieces they put in their programme well, that's fine.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595150https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595150Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:46:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:42:04 GMT]]>Pardon me for this silly question - For the Junior and Intermediate categories, at what levels must the competitors be playing at? Grade 8 and Diploma respectively?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595147https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595147Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:42:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:52:31 GMT]]>

dasalo:

How I wish she could, but unfortunately no. She will be away during the comp dates and she is super busy with her academics schedules. I think I will go and watch despite the distance to YST. There are a few regular names worth watching.
Oh, this year it's at YST, huh (okie...i just checked NAC website already). Not so bad, I guess. Last time we did watch some at Esplanade recital studio, but I could only watch parts of it bc then still had to rush back for my littlest one. Last year's NCMC we watched quite a lot.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595138https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595138Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:52:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:47:13 GMT]]>

phankao:
dasalo:

[quote=\"The Simz\"]Just to share.


Before any national music competition, I will be too stressed to practice and my teacher will always tell me to sing out the tune. Sing while I bathe, sit, stand and sleep. Her reason: if you can sing out well, there should be no prob using the instrument to express what you would like it to.

The simz, you taking part in this year's NAC comp? This year should be interesting with all the new regulations.

Your dd taking part, is it? I go watch. HAHA. ;D[/quote]How I wish she could, but unfortunately no. She will be away during the comp dates and she is super busy with her academics schedules. I think I will go and watch despite the distance to YST. There are a few regular names worth watching.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595040https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/595040Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:47:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:13:00 GMT]]>

dasalo:
The Simz:

Just to share.


Before any national music competition, I will be too stressed to practice and my teacher will always tell me to sing out the tune. Sing while I bathe, sit, stand and sleep. Her reason: if you can sing out well, there should be no prob using the instrument to express what you would like it to.

The simz, you taking part in this year's NAC comp? This year should be interesting with all the new regulations.

Your dd taking part, is it? I go watch. HAHA. ;D

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594898https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594898Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:13:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:05:46 GMT]]>

The Simz:
Just to share.


Before any national music competition, I will be too stressed to practice and my teacher will always tell me to sing out the tune. Sing while I bathe, sit, stand and sleep. Her reason: if you can sing out well, there should be no prob using the instrument to express what you would like it to.
The simz, you taking part in this year's NAC comp? This year should be interesting with all the new regulations.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594634https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594634Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:05:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:21:38 GMT]]>

The Simz:
Just to share.


Before any national music competition, I will be too stressed to practice and my teacher will always tell me to sing out the tune. Sing while I bathe, sit, stand and sleep. Her reason: if you can sing out well, there should be no prob using the instrument to express what you would like it to.
Yes, singing is important for any instrument playing. Even playing on the piano, for the very young, if they can sing, they get their rhythm more evenly done. For string players, if they sing in their heads, they will play more from their heart since the instrument is like an extension of their singing, all the dynamics will be covered in their \"singing\".

So you've taken part in many competitions? My ds doesn't get stressed about practising. Instead, he detests practising, no matter what. HAHA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594539https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594539Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:21:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:16:34 GMT]]>Just to share.


Before any national music competition, I will be too stressed to practice and my teacher will always tell me to sing out the tune. Sing while I bathe, sit, stand and sleep. Her reason: if you can sing out well, there should be no prob using the instrument to express what you would like it to.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594129https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/594129Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:16:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:58:51 GMT]]>Can't resist sharing this very old video - Yo Yo Ma in Seasme street!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRixaQ4hpEI

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/587768https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/587768Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:58:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why string instrument doesn't sound 'beautiful'? on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:41:23 GMT]]>

phankao:
sacredmusicals:

Aiyo, sleepy. Why are you and your daughter so kiasu?


Bc this is Kiasuparents' forum, mah!

Exactly :rotflmao:

phankao:
Seriously, I personally go by gut feel as well. Maybe sleepy really feels that something is not right and that the teacher-student relationship here doesn't quite work out?
Bingo! You're my 知己 :hugs:

sacredmusicals:
If you set your high expectation, what if in the end even after you change teacher still cannot get distinction or improve? Recipe for depression.
I'm glad that my dd sets herself a goal & is working towards her goal. As a parent, I believe it's my duty to help her achieve her aspiration.
At the very least, I should find her a reasonably capable teacher. As to whether she achieve her goal, it's up to her diligence & motivation.

I do not dangle rewards for achieveing goals or dish out punishments for not achieving.

My younger girl obtained a distinction recently for another instrument, through her diligence & of course under guidance from a capable teacher. She did not receive any prize from me & yet she's elated. Maslow's hierarchy of needs - self-actualization, that is her big prize 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/586216https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/586216Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:41:23 GMT