All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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Don’'t just look at the piano teacher’s certificate. Some have ABRSM or Trinity or whatsoever but they can’t teach. Some do not have but they are experienced and can teach well. They just cant be bothered to take those exams…So look out for recommendation of good teacher from family or friends is the best way!
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ccgoh:
I am at quite a loss because I have always depended on this teacher but after this experience I was thinking better to rely on schools.
Best bet: learn from the owner. -
Dreamaurora:
How about the more established schools?ccgoh:
My kids have been having pte teachers for piano for the last 4 years but the teacher is now quitting to focus on her full time job. Any recommendations for good piano schools? My friends were at Yamaha before but their feedback is that it is so so. I am at quite a loss because I have always depended on this teacher but after this experience I was thinking better to rely on schools.
If you want stable teacher for your kids the best way is to get full time private piano teacher. Teacher turnover rate for most music schools is quite high and there is a high likelihood that your kids will change teacher again if you decide to go music school route. But you may still luck out and get a brilliant teacher in a music school. -
ccgoh:
How about the more established schools?[/quote]It's all the same throughout all music schools, yes, even the established ones like NAFA Young Talents. Like what peanut_butter said, best would be to study with the owner/principal directly, though this may be a little harder because normally they will be more picky.Dreamaurora:
[quote=\"ccgoh\"]My kids have been having pte teachers for piano for the last 4 years but the teacher is now quitting to focus on her full time job. Any recommendations for good piano schools? My friends were at Yamaha before but their feedback is that it is so so. I am at quite a loss because I have always depended on this teacher but after this experience I was thinking better to rely on schools.
If you want stable teacher for your kids the best way is to get full time private piano teacher. Teacher turnover rate for most music schools is quite high and there is a high likelihood that your kids will change teacher again if you decide to go music school route. But you may still luck out and get a brilliant teacher in a music school. -
pt teacher means we need to have a piano at home … go to school, we can still continue to use keyboard to practise… is that correct ?
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No. Think about it, the child only goes to the school once a week, most of the time the child practices at home (or at least should be). So the child should ideally be practising on a proper piano so that he/she can get use to playing on a piano. Keyboard is very different.
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thanks jce… can i ask, as my child is still with JMC… i will go for pte either home /school after the JMC. your child having pte lesson at home, where do u put the piano ? in a room our living room ? usually what’s the timing that u guys have the lesson ? evening on weekdays or weekends ? how long? how frequent ?
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If you have a room to house the piano then you may do so but bear in mind because the room is small, the reverb will be strong. If it’s in the living room, adults need to be “disciplined” to make sure that there are no distractions (eg having the tv switched on) while the child is practising. When the child has his/her lesson depends on your schedule and the teacher’s schedule. How long depends on age, younger ones may start with 30 mins per lesson, older ones 45 mins, and as the child progresses, length of the lesson can increase. The teacher can advice you on the length of the lesson. Lessons are conducted once a week though I know of some who attend twice or even three times a week. These are generally the ones who are in the competitive arena.
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micollh:
thanks jce.. can i ask, as my child is still with JMC.. i will go for pte either home /school after the JMC. your child having pte lesson at home, where do u put the piano ? in a room our living room ? usually what's the timing that u guys have the lesson ? evening on weekdays or weekends ? how long? how frequent ?
As long the child can practice without distractions (TV, game consoles, etc), any well-lit spot will do. Best if can get a dedicated room for the piano. Lessons should ideally be scheduled when the child is rested well and have some practice earlier in the day. So putting the piano lesson right after a 1 hour gruelling maths tuition or ballet is probably not a good idea.
I think the norm is to have a 45 minute to 1 hour lesson per week, any days will do as long it's regularly once a week and the child has sufficient time to practice. -
jce:
No. Think about it, the child only goes to the school once a week, most of the time the child practices at home (or at least should be). So the child should ideally be practising on a proper piano so that he/she can get use to playing on a piano. Keyboard is very different.
I agree with you! Even playing at the school's piano during lesson differs so much from the usual practice from own home piano cos we're so used to it & thus need to 'familiarize' with the piano in school again for that 30 min...