All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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mincy:
Absolutely agree. There is a very reputable school here but how many children completed grade 8 at a very young age and never touch the piano again. I always have students and parents complaining about their ex sch or teachers. So really have to be careful with the sch one choose. To the parents, the most is a waste of time n money. But to the child, it might affect them for the rest of their lives.
There are a whole bunch of skools targetting to teach kids instruments from a 3 years old. Sempi school of music which I am sending my boy to is one of those. There is another at Forum that have suzuki violin cal Mac Music School. Crestar also teach Suzuki from 3 onwards. There's one call Madeville that sounds like super serious in music training.ChiefKiasu:
Anyone aware of schools in Singapore that provides formal instrument (piano, keyboard, violin, etc) lessons for kids under 4 years old?
I think important thing the teacher. Best is get referrals from good teachers that knows how to teach young kids. I heard of reputable places but teachers are super strict and not encouraging. -
super_dad:
Piano seems to be the \"standard\" instrument for kids...anyone thot of getting the child to learn something more exotic...like er hu or something
Actually starting with piano first is good as it provides a very good base and foundation. After that, then try other instruments. Quite a no. of my students do that. In fact most musicians know a bit of piano. Also a lot attain grade 8 for piano but diploma for other instruments.
Learning piano first gives you a clearer picture of theory which is required for most instruments (in terms of exams). Most students who do other instruments (other than piano) normally have a more difficult time with theory. This is also because they do not learn theory during lesson. -
ha ha piano jazzy, I know what you mean. I am one of those people who have hardly touch the piano after going through all those exams.
But then, that’s just me. A few of my cousins who share some of the same piano teachers as I have gone on to make music their profession. So I guess it depends on the kid too.
What I hear though is that some instruments are harder to pick up when you are older e.g. string instrument like violin. Personally, I am not so worried for my son if his theory is not so good. My objective is for him to learn to enjoy and appreciate music and rip some of the brain neurons enhancing benefits that were being researched about in recent years. I would think learning to play by the ear is more beneficial to that end. Theory and score reading is more for professional training which is a good fall back career wise but I think it wont be my piriority for now. -
Yes i agree that it depends on students as well. It is just the chemistry between teachers and students. My transferred students have the same complains and i do have a couple of students whom i just can't click with them
Theory is important for all instruments if they are taking the exam. As u know u need at least a grade 5 theory to continue with Gr 6-8 practical. So do focus a bit on that if your son want to take exam in future. If not, it might be a bit too late by then.
Children learning music before the age of 6 will develop a good ear so not to worry about playing by ear.
Score reading is not as important for instruments other than piano as u only need to read one line so that's not a problem. Moreover, violin is more on aural skill due to the intonation. But not for classical piano as sight reading is more important so that they can play anything with the score rather then have to hear the piece before knowing how to play them.
Appreciating music and gain from benefits is always the first thing. After that, more expectations will set in like grading, exams etc. So it is good to have a strong foundation as well. If not again, it might be too late.
Enjoy the process of learning! -
it is hefty investment to buy a piano just to see if the kid picks up piano…so my question is…can the kid effectively learn piano without physically possessing one? can electronic keyboard be an alternative?
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Actually for those who are not very sure or not willing to invest in the beginning, i recommend them to get one keyboard from giant or carrefour. Giant sells 49 keys from $20 onwards. Better then to buy a brand new keyboard from yamaha which cost from 400+.
But of cos, it can only last for a while as it does not have the same touch as piano and it is not good for foundation.
Whether the learning is serious or just to try out, it is still very important to have good foundation as one might not know what is the final outcome of it
Unless you are really sure you don't want to go for exam and only learning pop and for leisure. Then a keyboard is fine. However, it is still not good for foundation n technics. And the tone and touch is also different.
Hence in my point of view, it is still better to get a piano after sometime. Most of my students who started with keyboard will eventually get one after a couple of months especially when their parents can see that they are interested and doing well
Hope this helps -
wow $20? Are the keys the same size as piano keyboard? I was talking to my son’s teacher and according to her, the key board to buy is fine as long as the keys are the same size as the piano.
Infact, for very yong kids who are 2-3 yrs old, it might be better to start on a keyboard because a real piano keys are quite hard and their fingers might not have the strength to press the keys down yet. It might cause them to compensate and use their body weight or weight of the whole hand when playing…hence learning the wrong technique. -
The size is about the same size but it is 49 keys only. For a start, students learn notes for about an octave only so it is fine. But it is really for temporary use.
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pianojazzy:
The size is about the same size but it is 49 keys only. For a start, students learn notes for about an octave only so it is fine. But it is really for temporary use.
Are 49 keys enough? Sorry... I don't play the piano myself, but my son's been in Yamaha since 4 years old and there are plenty of times when he had to hit the same key on his home Casio with 2 fingers because of the overlapping octaves. He use the electone in class. I think an 88 key keyboard would be a better option - but even after all these years, we are still debating whether to buy that piano - he doesn't really LOVE his music lessons... just that he doesn't mind going to the classes. So I'm afraid he might give up right after we make that investment.
Pianojazzy, do you give home individual lessons? What are the market rates these days for such a service? -
49 keys is enough for the time being as for a start, they will be learning one octave for the first 6 months (depends on individual and age)
As i've mentioned, this is for temporary only (like for the first few months) cos it is really not good for the foundation.
88 keys is definately better if parents are willing to invest. However, i do understand many are not willing to make this investment for a start. So even if to buy a digital 88 keys is not cheap as well. Then when one want to get a real piano, the keyboard goes wasted. That's y i recommend the 49 keys one for a start. If ever the child give up, the instrument only cost $20.
I am not sure why ur son plays the same octave as from what i understand, the pieces from JMC does not stretch so far.
I no longer do home visits as there are much more advantages for students to come over to my place instead. Eg. the students and parents have a more serious approach in learning piano and i have lots of materials at my place which i might not be able to use them all if i do home visits Most important is no distractions. Last time when i do home visits, my students want to end lesson faster as they want to watch TV, play PC games or in the mist of it when i arrived etc and siblings, parents and grandparents disturbing during lessons.
Fees depends on the teacher's experiences and qualifications. For a beginner, it ranges from $90 (gr 7-8 teacher) to $160 (diploma teachers) for 4 lessons for 30-45min lesson