Child wants to quit piano

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:30:04 GMT

Blue Pearl — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:30:04 GMT

iRabbit thks for your sharing. True, kids should appreciate the music. Parents must learn to be more patient.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:59:45 GMT

sleepy — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:59:45 GMT

Oh well, my dd2 is quitting piano exam after 5 years.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:02:23 GMT

ammonite — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:02:23 GMT

Perhaps she is overloaded at school? I remember I was very busy at 15 and struggling to finish my homework. I had LEP classes, MEP classes, long swimming classes and insomnia. I felt I had to drop something and piano was the easiest to drop. But I’ve always loved the instrument and still play for leisure.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:26:27 GMT

Dreamaurora — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:26:27 GMT

also-mummy:
DD has been learning piano since 7 years old. She is 15 this year and is doing Grade 6 (consider as slow as some already doing G8 in secondary school). She has been telling me that she has no interest in piano and wants to quit. My husband and I are against it cos we find that its a waste to quit halfway. She could also use it to earn a livelihood in the future or if she has a family next time, she can be a part time piano teacher so that she is able to spend time with her children while teaching at home (something that I am unable to do as I did not have the chance to learn piano when I was young). We feel that at this stage, she still does not know what is good for her. However, we can sense that she dreads going for piano classes, she says that its so boring. Its also very difficult to get her to practice, she would give excuses or will just skim through just to satisfy us. We have tried talking to her numerous times telling her the benefits of learning piano, somtimes she would just shrug it off with an unwilling attitude, other time, she would get into a \"debate\" with us on why learning piano is of no use to her. Sometimes, we are tempted to let her quit, it could save us a few hundred dollars too. However, most of the time, we find that one should not give up half way. At the same time, we are also afraid that if we allow her to quit halfway, it would also influence her brother into quitting piano too. We are quite lost and wonder if any other parents have similar experience and how did you handle it?

15 years old doing grade 6 is not slow; bear in mind that grade 8 ABRMS is originally designed to be attempted when one is around 17-18 years of age.

Anyway, a couple things I notice from what you write. You tried to convince your daughter the benefits of piano learning in the hope she can understand it and practice. Though some teenagers have high degree of intrinsic motivations and are strong willed enough to push through an activity they don't really enjoy for a future benefit or usage, most teenagers don't.

So with this in mind, you should try to EMPATHIZE with your daughter instead. You can ask her why does she think lesson is boring. Ask her what piano music she likes and buy CD or score for her, yes even if it's popular stuff. Go to concerts together and listen music together at home. You can even pick up piano together with your daughter if you wish to. Embrace music making together with her, instead of being a passive spectator.

Second, I suspect your daughter has poor chemistry with her current teacher. Teenagers often crave for a mentor who can connect and inspire. Some piano teachers, especially older generations tend to be more conservative and treat piano lessons very formally. Not all teenagers will enjoy lessons by these teachers. So best you talk to her and if this is the case, you can try switching teacher to see if the situation improves.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:55:30 GMT

ngl2010 — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 23:55:30 GMT

also-mummy,

It is hard to force a teenager to do something. I have a niece and a nephew that quit piano around age 15 too. Now at age 17 and 19, they play piano again for relaxation (no teacher) at their own will. The parents are so delighted although the children play only pop songs nowadays.

As simkhoo said, your daughter would have other skills to earn a living. I, myself, quit piano when I was Grade 3. I feel playing piano is very difficult for me and it is boring to play into perfection. However, I am good at Maths so I know that I can always teach Maths if I need to.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:46:08 GMT

iRabbit — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:46:08 GMT

Hearing your stories encourages me in a way. My ds has been learning the piano for around 5 yrs and is only taking grade 2 exam mid of this yr. It’s slow with a capital S. Everyone we know is jumping grade and doing more advance stuff, even those who started later than him.

We kept reminding ourselves there’s no rush to complete grades, considering that ds is only so-so in musical aptitude. Without pressure from us, he’s willing to practise daily w/o us nagging at him and even volunteered to perform on the stage twice.

The truth is, one doesn’t need to be excellent in music to enjoy music. My son is living proof. And ultimately, that’s all we want - his enjoyment (admittedly, sometimes the temptation to switch to "kiasu" mode is strong, hehe).

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:20:48 GMT

kaka — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:20:48 GMT

Hi also-mummy

I have two cousins who learnt piano to grade 8 because their parents insisted. They completed but seldom touch the piano … they will never consider teaching piano since they never liked it.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:49:57 GMT

rains — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:49:57 GMT

I was one of those parents who wished her kid would learn playing piano because I never got a chance to do so when young.

Even though I knew my elder kid exhibit more interest in art than music or dance, I signed her up for ballet and piano and kept her away from drawing and painting.

I didn’t need her to be very accomplished. I just wanted her to grow up knowing how to play piano and appreciate music and dance in ways I would never know.

But she has never got excited at the idea of playing the piano or going for its lessons. I was short of dragging her to the piano for practices. It was stressful and unhappy for both of us.

She was often chastised during ballet lessons as she never did her footwork at home, to the point of being sneered at by her ballet classmates.

She asked me to allow her to drop both, one at a time.

I had some of the considerations you have. Plus it was an expensive affair to have spent $8.6k on a piano just for grade one.

My main consideration was: would my allowing her to drop the piano lessons be viewed as the permission to drop tasks that are challenging.

But as a child, I wouldn’t be happy if I am forced to do things I don’t delight in.

So I let her.

Your daughter has completed grade 6. It’s at a stage where she can pick up from where she has left off if she so desires in future. And she’s a teenager. Kids at this age already know what they want or don’t want. I feel that it’s quite safe to listen to her.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:22:45 GMT

I_dont_have_a_username — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:22:45 GMT

also-mummy:
DD has been learning piano since 7 years old. She is 15 this year and is doing Grade 6 (consider as slow as some already doing G8 in secondary school). She has been telling me that she has no interest in piano and wants to quit. My husband and I are against it cos we find that its a waste to quit halfway. She could also use it to earn a livelihood in the future or if she has a family next time, she can be a part time piano teacher so that she is able to spend time with her children while teaching at home (something that I am unable to do as I did not have the chance to learn piano when I was young). We feel that at this stage, she still does not know what is good for her. However, we can sense that she dreads going for piano classes, she says that its so boring. Its also very difficult to get her to practice, she would give excuses or will just skim through just to satisfy us. We have tried talking to her numerous times telling her the benefits of learning piano, somtimes she would just shrug it off with an unwilling attitude, other time, she would get into a \"debate\" with us on why learning piano is of no use to her. Sometimes, we are tempted to let her quit, it could save us a few hundred dollars too. However, most of the time, we find that one should not give up half way. At the same time, we are also afraid that if we allow her to quit halfway, it would also influence her brother into quitting piano too. We are quite lost and wonder if any other parents have similar experience and how did you handle it?

I am not a parent , but I have been through this before. My parents have signed me up for piano since I was 5-6 years old (!!!) and only now (I am in Primary 5) am I in Grade 3! :yikes:

My mother also signed my younger brothers up, and just a few days ago my brother wanted to quit, but my mother used her Amazing Powers Of Persuasion to persuade him to not quit, though he is still very...upset over the need to play the piano. (Actually, my parents felt the temptation too, as they were spending a lot of money on this, only to have us waste it, but they felt that it would be a waste to quit halfway)

I am also like that, though I actually like playing the piano, but to my OWN WISHES, and not like, 'okay you tell me to practice, I immediately will' kind of type. I am the 'procrastinate, then quickly hurry revise and do' type. :offtopic: <--a bit, you have to admit...

I think the best solution, is to try to sympathise with her, then play 'guilty cards', as that was what my mother did with my brother. And he finally relented...
Hope this helps! (And please don't mind my horrible spelling...I am absolutely horrible at spelling)

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:26:01 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:26:01 GMT

also-mummy:
DD has been learning piano since 7 years old. She is 15 this year and is doing Grade 6 (consider as slow as some already doing G8 in secondary school). She has been telling me that she has no interest in piano and wants to quit. My husband and I are against it cos we find that its a waste to quit halfway. She could also use it to earn a livelihood in the future or if she has a family next time, she can be a part time piano teacher so that she is able to spend time with her children while teaching at home (something that I am unable to do as I did not have the chance to learn piano when I was young). We feel that at this stage, she still does not know what is good for her. However, we can sense that she dreads going for piano classes, she says that its so boring. Its also very difficult to get her to practice, she would give excuses or will just skim through just to satisfy us. We have tried talking to her numerous times telling her the benefits of learning piano, somtimes she would just shrug it off with an unwilling attitude, other time, she would get into a \"debate\" with us on why learning piano is of no use to her. Sometimes, we are tempted to let her quit, it could save us a few hundred dollars too. However, most of the time, we find that one should not give up half way. At the same time, we are also afraid that if we allow her to quit halfway, it would also influence her brother into quitting piano too. We are quite lost and wonder if any other parents have similar experience and how did you handle it?

As a parent, I can perfectly understand where you are coming from. But if we see the effort that we put into our children's education as an investment into their future, we are setting ourselves up for major disappointments should the future not pan out as we had planned or hope for. Listen to your child. She is at a point whereby it is ok to stop and she can pick it up again it the future when she finally find a reason herself to complete the grade.

It is much more efficient to teach the willing, than to bore the unwilling. She will probably do much better should she decide to continue in future on her own accord.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:33:06 GMT

sharonkhoo — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:33:06 GMT

also-mummy:
DD has been learning piano since 7 years old. She is 15 this year and is doing Grade 6 (consider as slow as some already doing G8 in secondary school). She has been telling me that she has no interest in piano and wants to quit. My husband and I are against it cos we find that its a waste to quit halfway. She could also use it to earn a livelihood in the future or if she has a family next time, she can be a part time piano teacher so that she is able to spend time with her children while teaching at home (something that I am unable to do as I did not have the chance to learn piano when I was young). We feel that at this stage, she still does not know what is good for her. However, we can sense that she dreads going for piano classes, she says that its so boring. Its also very difficult to get her to practice, she would give excuses or will just skim through just to satisfy us. We have tried talking to her numerous times telling her the benefits of learning piano, somtimes she would just shrug it off with an unwilling attitude, other time, she would get into a \"debate\" with us on why learning piano is of no use to her. Sometimes, we are tempted to let her quit, it could save us a few hundred dollars too. However, most of the time, we find that one should not give up half way. At the same time, we are also afraid that if we allow her to quit halfway, it would also influence her brother into quitting piano too. We are quite lost and wonder if any other parents have similar experience and how did you handle it?

First of all, why do you call it 'half-way'? Is grade 8 or diploma 'all the way'? She already has a decent music foundation on which to build if she ever wants to continue one day. At 15yo, she is old enough to know her own mind, or at least old enough to realise that she has to bear the consequences of her decision if she regrets later. As for using it to earn money later on, how good is she? If she isn't really talented or interested, then getting a grade 8 cert won't help her teach music. I have a grade 8 in theory and piano, but play so badly and don't have enough interest that I would never teach. I have other skills which I can use to earn a living, and I'm sure your daughter will have other skills too. Could it be that you are trying to live your missed chance to learn music through your daughter? I have had my fill of my father doing that to me, and from the child's point of view, it's a burden to do things just because your parents didn't have the chance to do them. As for experience, I did soldier on to grade 8, but my brother only made it grade 2 - he was so disinterested that both he and the teacher were so relieved when my parents finally gave in and let him stop. I was a little more interested and more obedient. I would vote for letting your daughter decide for herself.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:41:33 GMT

also-mummy — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:41:33 GMT

DD has been learning piano since 7 years old. She is 15 this year and is doing Grade 6 (consider as slow as some already doing G8 in secondary school). She has been telling me that she has no interest in piano and wants to quit. My husband and I are against it cos we find that its a waste to quit halfway. She could also use it to earn a livelihood in the future or if she has a family next time, she can be a part time piano teacher so that she is able to spend time with her children while teaching at home (something that I am unable to do as I did not have the chance to learn piano when I was young). We feel that at this stage, she still does not know what is good for her. However, we can sense that she dreads going for piano classes, she says that its so boring. Its also very difficult to get her to practice, she would give excuses or will just skim through just to satisfy us. We have tried talking to her numerous times telling her the benefits of learning piano, somtimes she would just shrug it off with an unwilling attitude, other time, she would get into a "debate" with us on why learning piano is of no use to her. Sometimes, we are tempted to let her quit, it could save us a few hundred dollars too. However, most of the time, we find that one should not give up half way. At the same time, we are also afraid that if we allow her to quit halfway, it would also influence her brother into quitting piano too. We are quite lost and wonder if any other parents have similar experience and how did you handle it?

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:45:46 GMT

sacredmusicals — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:45:46 GMT

Dreamauroa, no doubt you are a dedicated and passionate piano teacher, and you have achieved very impressive results that many teachers can only dream of. But I think you have to understand that not everyone can share the same level of commitment that you have. You may be fortunate to have students who share your belief and expectations, but I think most will be glad to take their own time and be happy making music on some cheap pianos.

I think like what bzmum22 said, teachers like Dreamaurora can do wonders if parents and children are willing to commit and make the extra effort. But if this is not the case, a more relaxed and lesser caliber teacher will perhaps be more suitable.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:53:40 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:53:40 GMT

phankao:
bzmum22:

Well, we've been there and done that without a U1 piano and not practising at least 25 mins a day for grade 1 .
I'm a mummy with a kid learning piano, not a teacher and definitely not musically trained. My expectation on my kid is that she learns to play and enjoys playing...passing grade 1 exams or not is not that important. We took the exam to just have a taste of what piano exams are like 'cos she is free of the stresses of our formal education now....and I would say it is not a v gd experience 'cos I'm more stressed up than my kid :rotflmao: . So no more exams, at least for next yr. My instructions to the teacher is she will teach her whatever is necessary for the next grade but we will not take the exam.
Double K,
What you need depends on what is your expectation for your kid. If you want your kid to really excel in this, then you will have to take Dreamaurora's suggestions.
But if your expectation is just for your kid to learn to play an instrument and enjoy playing it, then a more moderated approach will probably be the way to go.
Like you, I also struggle with the questions that you have, and also hv the budget constraints. If I've taken D's suggestions, then we wld not have come this far. My hubby wld have killed this dream long ago 'cos he wld hv calculated the ROI and deem it a non-investment. And if I insisted that my kid practise every day for 25 mins regardless whether she is in the mood or not, or if I'm busy/tired from work or not to sit with her for her practice, then I would probably hv high blood pressure today .
But having said all this, there will come a point in time when I know that my kid will need to hv a proper piano and practise more intensely in order to continue.
Just sharing my experience as a mummy with a kid learning piano, so plse dun bombard me.
Ah. I never had an exam model piano when I was learning piano. I probably didn't practise 25mins everyday either, but I can't say I'm a very good pianist either - just that when it comes to exams, I wouldn't want to embarass myself or my teacher. I managed those distinctions for high grades too.

I think these days, kids have it better - can rent the exam studio to practise before exam. If you can afford it, can rent it a few times even. In my time (in the mid-70s to mid-80s), this option to rent and practise on the exam piano was not an option. We still managed while practising on our lousy pianos. I only changed my piano when I was working and had the money to buy my own. Oh well, same went for a lot of other things, eg. driving lessons, unlike my friends who had their things/lessons mother-father sponsored.

I must say though that - a proper piano is still better to have and practise on than a digital piano or an electronic keyboard, even if it has weighted or touch-sensitive keys. It's just NOT the same. Oh well, maybe if I practise frequently on a digital piano, I'd get used to the touch, but I personally feel that digital pianos have an unpredictable touch. So it's best to still just have a proper piano. If you can afford it, get an exam model, but if not, a lower-end piano that plays nicely works too!

You know, to be honest, I think exams are very commercialised nowadays. I researched into the exam boards' past syllabuses before and well there is quite a big difference. For grade 5 had to play an easy Beethoven sonata movement (Op 49) and for grade 8 had to play a COMPLETE sonata. Last time Trinity grade 6-8 need to prepare an extra study piece, now only have to prepare 3 short exercises. Ever since the exam boards lower the requirements, it seem like more people are taking exams. Exams are really big business here in Asia.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:21:58 GMT

phankao — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:21:58 GMT

bzmum22:

Well, we've been there and done that without a U1 piano and not practising at least 25 mins a day for grade 1 .
I'm a mummy with a kid learning piano, not a teacher and definitely not musically trained. My expectation on my kid is that she learns to play and enjoys playing...passing grade 1 exams or not is not that important. We took the exam to just have a taste of what piano exams are like 'cos she is free of the stresses of our formal education now....and I would say it is not a v gd experience 'cos I'm more stressed up than my kid :rotflmao: . So no more exams, at least for next yr. My instructions to the teacher is she will teach her whatever is necessary for the next grade but we will not take the exam.
Double K,
What you need depends on what is your expectation for your kid. If you want your kid to really excel in this, then you will have to take Dreamaurora's suggestions.
But if your expectation is just for your kid to learn to play an instrument and enjoy playing it, then a more moderated approach will probably be the way to go.
Like you, I also struggle with the questions that you have, and also hv the budget constraints. If I've taken D's suggestions, then we wld not have come this far. My hubby wld have killed this dream long ago 'cos he wld hv calculated the ROI and deem it a non-investment. And if I insisted that my kid practise every day for 25 mins regardless whether she is in the mood or not, or if I'm busy/tired from work or not to sit with her for her practice, then I would probably hv high blood pressure today .
But having said all this, there will come a point in time when I know that my kid will need to hv a proper piano and practise more intensely in order to continue.
Just sharing my experience as a mummy with a kid learning piano, so plse dun bombard me.

Ah. I never had an exam model piano when I was learning piano. I probably didn't practise 25mins everyday either, but I can't say I'm a very good pianist either - just that when it comes to exams, I wouldn't want to embarass myself or my teacher. I managed those distinctions for high grades too.

I think these days, kids have it better - can rent the exam studio to practise before exam. If you can afford it, can rent it a few times even. In my time (in the mid-70s to mid-80s), this option to rent and practise on the exam piano was not an option. We still managed while practising on our lousy pianos. I only changed my piano when I was working and had the money to buy my own. Oh well, same went for a lot of other things, eg. driving lessons, unlike my friends who had their things/lessons mother-father sponsored.

I must say though that - a proper piano is still better to have and practise on than a digital piano or an electronic keyboard, even if it has weighted or touch-sensitive keys. It's just NOT the same. Oh well, maybe if I practise frequently on a digital piano, I'd get used to the touch, but I personally feel that digital pianos have an unpredictable touch. So it's best to still just have a proper piano. If you can afford it, get an exam model, but if not, a lower-end piano that plays nicely works too!

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:21:38 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:21:38 GMT

Personally I think if taking an exam is negative experience for both the parent and child, then the planning must had been really poor. But sometimes this can’t be avoid. When I worked in music school last time, I had to enter students for exams because the parents or the school admin insisted. Some parents want to see results and of course the school want to increase the fees of the students. In the end it was a very draining experience for the students and me. Worse, the parents scolded me for bad planning. But I could not tell them that the school admin forced me to enter them. This is one of the main reasons why I decided to go full private.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:15:52 GMT

jedamum — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:15:52 GMT

bzmum22:

My hubby wld have killed this dream long ago 'cos he wld hv calculated the ROI and deem it a non-investment. .

thanks for sharing!

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:05:43 GMT

bzmum22 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:05:43 GMT

Dreamaurora:
bzmum22:
[quote=\"Double K\"]Dear All,

Thanks for you advices..

My son was learing at Christofori abt 1 yr++, 30 mins once a week. but i think the timing was too short.. and he was learning at home on the keyboard only coz i havent decide to buy piano yet coz too expensive.. and furthermore not sure my son really interested on piano or not..
So any one can advise me that i supposed buy one piano for him and hire a piano tutor teach him at home is better learn at the Piano centre..

Seek all your advise!!

Thanks so mucH
Dun hv to buy piano, a keyboard is ok to use to finish grade 1.
Teacher at piano centre or at home - both ok as long as teacher is patient and can motivate kid.
Impt is to practise what has been taught in piano centre back at home. Everyday 10-15 mins is enough. Even if cannot achieve practising everyday, at least practise for some days of the week. Piano lessons are usually short, betw 30 mins to 45 mins. So it is the practise at home that is crucial. Mummy can always negotiate with teacher to sit in the lesson so as to learn with the kid. Like that, you will be able to know if your kid play correctly or not at home...even if cannot read the notes, can also listen to the sound to tell if the correct note is played or not .

Will have to respectfully disagree with some points in this suggestion.

A keyboard is NOT OK to finish grade 1. A child should have access to a decent piano right from the very first lesson. Playing piano involves more than just hitting the right notes at the right time, need to develop good tone quality and touch sensitivity. That being said, it is possible to pass grade 1 with a keyboard as the examiner will still pass the candidate if the piece is complete, but merit or distinction is very unlikely.

Piano lessons minimum should be 45 minutes, ideally one hour long. Any lessons shorter than this risk omitting important stuff. Piano lessons not only about playing pieces. Need to go through scales, technique, aural, appreciation, and theory also.

10-15 minutes practice a day definitely not enough to progress, need at least 25 minutes per day for grade 1. As the grade progresses, the practice time should increase also. Need to practice even more if want to do well for exams. Most of my students who do well for exams practice in excess of one hour a day.[/quote]Well, we've been there and done that without a U1 piano and not practising at least 25 mins a day for grade 1 .
I'm a mummy with a kid learning piano, not a teacher and definitely not musically trained. My expectation on my kid is that she learns to play and enjoys playing...passing grade 1 exams or not is not that important. We took the exam to just have a taste of what piano exams are like 'cos she is free of the stresses of our formal education now....and I would say it is not a v gd experience 'cos I'm more stressed up than my kid :rotflmao: . So no more exams, at least for next yr. My instructions to the teacher is she will teach her whatever is necessary for the next grade but we will not take the exam.
Double K,
What you need depends on what is your expectation for your kid. If you want your kid to really excel in this, then you will have to take Dreamaurora's suggestions.
But if your expectation is just for your kid to learn to play an instrument and enjoy playing it, then a more moderated approach will probably be the way to go.
Like you, I also struggle with the questions that you have, and also hv the budget constraints. If I've taken D's suggestions, then we wld not have come this far. My hubby wld have killed this dream long ago 'cos he wld hv calculated the ROI and deem it a non-investment. And if I insisted that my kid practise every day for 25 mins regardless whether she is in the mood or not, or if I'm busy/tired from work or not to sit with her for her practice, then I would probably hv high blood pressure today .
But having said all this, there will come a point in time when I know that my kid will need to hv a proper piano and practise more intensely in order to continue.
Just sharing my experience as a mummy with a kid learning piano, so plse dun bombard me.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:44:30 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:44:30 GMT

violin_lover:
Hmmm since when did I \" state the reason why 'exam model' is such a vague word to be used\"? I mention that yamaha took the words \"exam model\" seriously......pls read the post properly. I don't want parents to discourage kids from learning piano just because of the wrong impression of someone saying \"a bare minimum of U1 is required\" (which cost around 5 digits). Only NAFA did that. I pull my kids off from NAFA. But I have to admit that most piano teachers outside are not NAFA teacher's caliber (exclude my kid current teacher :-D)

As in you said your teacher's students scoring distinction even with pianos cheaper than U1. I recommend U1 because it is a good benchmark for a piano that can serve a student up to grade 8 and slightly beyond, but of course this should be taken as recommendation of piano quality, not about the price. NAFA's studios are populated with U1s and I practiced on them when I was studying there (the grand piano studios were not available all the time). Anyway, like what I said it is possible to get pianos that are non 'exam model' that can sound good as well. In fact last time when I was piano shopping, I frequently found second hand pianos from lesser known brands that sound almost as good as U1 for around 3-4K.

NAFA's SYT's teaching methods are very efficient and get the job done. I am quite aware of how they run things there (I am on good term with Fang Yuan but I never taught there before) and also incorporate some of their methods in my teaching.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:24:39 GMT

sleepy — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:24:39 GMT

violin_lover:
I pull my kids off from NAFA. But I have to admit that most piano teachers outside are not NAFA teacher's caliber (exclude my kid current teacher :-D)

Ditto :hi5:

Nafa caliber... er, not sure how to ascertain Nafa teacher's calibre since my dd only had one impression of her ex-Nafa teacher - very fierce !!! :rotflmao:

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:10:22 GMT

violin_lover — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:10:22 GMT

Hmmm since when did I " state the reason why ‘exam model’ is such a vague word to be used"? I mention that yamaha took the words "exam model" seriously…pls read the post properly. I don’t want parents to discourage kids from learning piano just because of the wrong impression of someone saying "a bare minimum of U1 is required" (which cost around 5 digits). Only NAFA did that. I pull my kids off from NAFA. But I have to admit that most piano teachers outside are not NAFA teacher’s caliber (exclude my kid current teacher :-D)

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:03:28 GMT

sleepy — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:03:28 GMT

Dreamaurora:
A good analogy of not having a good piano will be like racing an F1 competition with a F2 or F3 car. You will still get to the finish line, but no chance of winning of whatsoever.

I like your analogy

I told dh buying a good piano is not the highest cost. Teachers fees are!
$200 x 12 months = $2400 per annum. Haven't even factor in fees increase in higher grades. And a child typically needs numerous years to reach grade 8 & beyond. So if prepared to spend so much on fees, not logical to buy an underperforming piano :scratchhead:

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:55:34 GMT

Dreamaurora — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:55:34 GMT

violin_lover:
I disgaree again. Yamaha is particular about the phrase \"exam model\". At Yamaha, not all pianos are \"exam model\". Most of the kids who studied under the piano teacher score distinction and not all of them using piano as expensive as U1. For the teacher, I prefer not to disclose the name as based on the guideline of the forum (i.e. no advertising). Anymore, she has no bandwidth to take in any more student.

Dreamaurora:
[quote=\"violin_lover\"]I disagree with the statement \" a bare minimum of an exam model piano like U1 is required.\". I have a lower end Yamaha piano. As long as it is \"exam model\", it is fine. This is according to my kid piano teacher (a very famous piano educator who has frequent performances, master degree holder from renowned UK university)

Pls note that a U1 piano (made in Japan, not Indonesia) cost around 5 digits.
I passed my grade 5 with merit using a very beat up 2nd hand Young Chang piano costing 1K+. And recently one of my adult students passed grade 7 using only a Clavinova. But is this the ideal situation? Hardly no. Hence my insistence on my students to acquire a proper piano like U1 if budget allows. Need not necessarily be brand new, a good condition 2nd hand model will suffice. 'Exam model' is a phrase thrown too freely nowadays to sell pianos.

And may I know who is this teacher? J. Koh?

[/quote]Hence you just state the reason why 'exam model' is such a vague word to be used. I prefer to just categorise pianos as good or bad, so normally I will try to accompany piano shopping with students so they are not swayed by salesmen or fancy terms. A non exam model can sound good just as likely as an exam model piano may sound not worth its price. You can PM me the name, I just want to know who my competitions are.

Reply to Child wants to quit piano on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:47:30 GMT

jedamum — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:47:30 GMT

peanut-butter,

thanks for the input!