watmekiasu:

Tried to reply to your pms but you're not taking any. :shock: Anyway, here's the jist of my pm :


It wasn't easy when dd was doing both piano and violin. I was very stressed cos it was like my dd didn't have a childhood at all. Her whole life then revolved around school, dance, piano and violin. Something had to give and I made her drop dance and piano. No regrets at all as I believe those lessons have enriched her. Even today, dd will sometimes go to the piano and play a tune, so all is not lost.

Currently, she is learning both violin and cello with ease as her lessons are alternated between the 2 instruments weekly eg week 1 and 3 - violin, week 2 and 4 - cello. Altho the progress is much slower, it suits us fine, so long as she enjoys learning, it is money well-spent. She practices on her own - again, this slows down the progress but at least I don't feel stressed listening to her mistakes and she doesn't get stressed by me, hahaha!

The only advice I can give you is to make sure the child is learning for enjoyment and not just for grades. That way, the love for music stays with them forever and it is worth much more than a piece of Grade 8 or Diploma Cert.

Her teacher is from Ricco Music at Toa Payoh. Very easy-going person. He doesn't seem to take many or any new students as his schedule is always packed.

liliansim:

Hi, how to handle both instruments successfully? Any tips?

Thanks.

jce:

It's easier to pick up a 2nd instrument if there's a foundation (eg start piano first then a few yrs down the road pick up another). Piano is always a good place to start cos it sounds better than the other instruments even right at the start. Those who start with violin will find it easy to pick up the other string instruments at a later stage.

snowz:

Theory is the same for all instrument. However, you need to repeat aural section for the same grade for diff instrument in the prac exams. As both dd's violin & piano are above Gr5, teacher wants her to spend more time on her practice. She brings her cello back home from school. One thing good about cello is dd can play with band, string emsembles and Chinese orchestra for performance in the school.

watmekiasu:

For height of 125cm, he should be able to use the 1/4 size cello. My dd is 132cm and she is already outgrowing the 1/4 size. Sizewise, for the cello, it is more flexible than the violin as the cello has an adjustable rod at the base.

pokemon:

I understand that cello also come in diff sizes, is the smallest the 1/8 size? My boy only 125cm tall, would he be able to fit the smallest cello size? He very cute say cello better cos dun need to rest on the neck so would not feel the ache.

pokemon:

mrswongtuition:

I personally did 2 instruments at one point of time. Guzheng & Cello. Stopped piano when I started Guzheng.


Guzheng & cello can complement each other. Although I did classical cello, my cello teacher allowed me to learn some fun pieces of chinese music which I play on my guzheng. It allowed me to express the same piece of music with different instrument & as a result, different feelings. It's a very special feeling & it makes you want to try more new stuff on the 2 instruments!

If budget permits, let your DS continue. Violin & piano can complement each other. But ask your DS what's his long term plan. Is he learning for fun or is he intending to take exams for both instruments? Ask him to draw up a simple timetable consisting of play, homework/revision and practising on both instruments. If he can come up with something decide & will stick to it, I think it's no harm letting him continue Come up with an agreement that if his results are not good, he must choice to drop 1 instrument.

Teach him the value of time management, setting goals & knowing his priorities. This is a truely teachable moment!

BTW, the violin is not as hard as you think if you have some music background (which your DS has with 2 years of music lessons).

I understand that cello also come in diff sizes, is the smallest the 1/8 size? My boy only 125cm tall, would he be able to fit the smallest cello size? He very cute say cello better cos dun need to rest on the neck so would not feel the ache.

snowz:

dd is learning the piano & the violin. She is also playing the cello (no grade) for CCA. She enjoys music.

mrswongtuition:

I personally did 2 instruments at one point of time. Guzheng & Cello. Stopped piano when I started Guzheng.


Guzheng & cello can complement each other. Although I did classical cello, my cello teacher allowed me to learn some fun pieces of chinese music which I play on my guzheng. It allowed me to express the same piece of music with different instrument & as a result, different feelings. It's a very special feeling & it makes you want to try more new stuff on the 2 instruments!

If budget permits, let your DS continue. Violin & piano can complement each other. But ask your DS what's his long term plan. Is he learning for fun or is he intending to take exams for both instruments? Ask him to draw up a simple timetable consisting of play, homework/revision and practising on both instruments. If he can come up with something decide & will stick to it, I think it's no harm letting him continue Come up with an agreement that if his results are not good, he must choice to drop 1 instrument.

Teach him the value of time management, setting goals & knowing his priorities. This is a truely teachable moment!

BTW, the violin is not as hard as you think if you have some music background (which your DS has with 2 years of music lessons).

acforfamily:

watmekiasu:

This year, after her Gr8 violin exam, she took up the cello. Her new schedule is working out like a dream - alternate weeks on different instruments.

Just curious, how do you do alternate weeks? Is it a private teacher that allows this?

watmekiasu:

This year, after her Gr8 violin exam, she took up the cello. Her new schedule is working out like a dream - alternate weeks on different instruments.