All About Violin Classes and Teachers
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Blessedwife:
When my eldest boy started violin at 8yo, I didn't sit with him to practice. He would naturally practise on his own everyday since that was his promise when he asked to learn violin.Hi lilac66,
Wow yr DS is taking grade 7 !!! How long has he learnt violin? You must be very proud of him
May I ask how did you practice with him or from young he can managed on his own?
I find that I am of not much help when my son practice his violin. He is not very keen to practice violin and I need to keep reminding him. Also, when his violin teacher told me to take note of this and that (to correct him) during his practicing I am rather clueless about it. Is it really necessary for the mum or dad to have basic knowledge of violin so that we can guide our DS ?
Sorry for asking so many questions but I am wondering should we continue his violin since he has started from January till now.
I can tell when rhythm and intonation is poor though and would point out to him, that's all. I had no idea about how to play violin. I did eventually learn violin for fun some 3yrs after he started violin and was already grade 7, so now yes, I can help my younger one who just turned 4yo.
They key is to have daily practice. Even if the practice is only for 15mins, it's way better than practising for 1hr twice a week only.
Does your son have a little practice notebook? Ask the teacher if he could kindly write down the points he wants worked on for the week, in point-form (Point 1, 2, 3), then at least your son can follow easily to practise each day, and you can point it out too. If your son is doing finger exercises or scales, it can't be too difficult to highlight to him to play evenly (not some parts fast, some parts slow), and can tell if the scales (do, re, mi?) is out of tune, right? Ask him to pay attention to playing each note accurately and also to what kind of bowing produces the most beautiful tone. He will get it by using his ears to focus on his sound production. I'm always highlighting to my 4yo to \"use your ears\" when he practises on the violin - on piano there are other issues, rarely intonation.
At least if the teacher writes down - he most likely has gone thru with your son, then you can repeat those same phrases/terms that the teacher used and hopefully your son can remember what it is that is required (?).
That's just about what I've done, lah. -
Blessedwife:
Hi lilac66,
Wow yr DS is taking grade 7 !!! How long has he learnt violin? You must be very proud of him
May I ask how did you practice with him or from young he can managed on his own?
I find that I am of not much help when my son practice his violin. He is not very keen to practice violin and I need to keep reminding him. Also, when his violin teacher told me to take note of this and that (to correct him) during his practicing I am rather clueless about it. Is it really necessary for the mum or dad to have basic knowledge of violin so that we can guide our DS ?
Sorry for asking so many questions but I am wondering should we continue his violin since he has started from January till now.
Hi Blessedwife. Thank you. Well, I'm proud as long as he strives to complete whatever he has set out to do, not just because of the grade. In fact, I did not expect the teacher to recommend taking grade 7 so soon. But after more discussion with DH,we may delay till Sec 1.
Just to add on to Phankao's pts, which are very good and comprehensive, I would say an inspiring teacher that can click with your child is also very important. My son started in K1, had a couple of very uninspiring teachers and as a result, he did not progress fast enough and wasted a year or so as I did not see it early enough(no music background at all for DH and I). When I hired this current teacher, he commented my DS could have done his Grade 7 this year instead of next if his foundation had been stronger. So he had to spend some time working on his weaker areas.
How old id your son? When mine started, it was really more of the parent's efforts as violin is not an easy instrument to pick up. The dexterity of the fingers are important as they do affect the sound the violin produces. Hence it's not very appealing to young children initially. I had to play together with my then 5yr old DS and try to make it fun. Every mistake the teacher pointed out, I tried to devise fun ways to correct it . Oh it was really exhausting then. But the efforts paid off and now the practicing is then entirely on his own. with a little nagging here and there. Also the teacher highlights in a very simple way what he should look out for and correct before the next lesson.
Don't lose hope in your child coz when he really sees the beauty of this instrument,and a teacher that can inspire him, that's when he'll fly. My DS was not very enthusiastic (though unwilling to give up violin) under other teachers also.
Hope my little contribution helps. -
Lilac66:
If your son's teacher thinks he can be ready by then, I would think to trust him! Taking exam in March of PSLE year is ok. Much better than taking exam in July-September session (like one of my son's classmate).is it advisable to sit for violin exam in P6? Violin teacher recommended my DS sit for Grade 7 in Mar 2013. Was wondering if I should go ahead or wait till Sec1?
My DH and I have diff opinions on this. I would rather wait, but DH thinks otherwise as DS may have more on his plate in Sec 1.
then at least in Sec 1(end of sec 1), he can do his Grade 8. Would be just nice. It gets busy in Secondary school, so it'd be good to have completed these early. My eldest son did his Gr 8 in Sec 1 ... and so busy ever since then, he hasn't done his diploma exam yet! Aiming for next yr, which is already Sec 4. JC too busy, hope not to do it then. -
Lilac66:
Wow - that sounds very creative!
. Every mistake the teacher pointed out, I tried to devise fun ways to correct it . Oh it was really exhausting then. But the efforts paid off and now the practicing is then entirely on his own. with a little nagging here and there. Also the teacher highlights in a very simple way what he should look out for and correct before the next lesson.:
Yeah, I had to get very creative when my youngest started end of last year when he just turned 3yo. Practising is a game, and lots of incentives, lots of praises. And then he realises that when he follows what is suggested, he really does improve. -
Blessedwife:
Have you considered video recording your son's violin lessons? I used to do that when I sat in my kids' violin lessons even at diploma levels. It helped when they could see their teachers' demo at home.Hi lilac66,
Wow yr DS is taking grade 7 !!! How long has he learnt violin? You must be very proud of him
May I ask how did you practice with him or from young he can managed on his own?
I find that I am of not much help when my son practice his violin. He is not very keen to practice violin and I need to keep reminding him. Also, when his violin teacher told me to take note of this and that (to correct him) during his practicing I am rather clueless about it. Is it really necessary for the mum or dad to have basic knowledge of violin so that we can guide our DS ?
Sorry for asking so many questions but I am wondering should we continue his violin since he has started from January till now.
Regarding having to remind your son to practice on the violin, you are not alone. Practicing for technique is hard and it is not always possible to make practice fun. I have personally accepted the fate that I have to remind my kids to practice on a daily basis, and often times without success -
phankao:
If your son's teacher thinks he can be ready by then, I would think to trust him! Taking exam in March of PSLE year is ok. Much better than taking exam in July-September session (like one of my son's classmate).Lilac66:
is it advisable to sit for violin exam in P6? Violin teacher recommended my DS sit for Grade 7 in Mar 2013. Was wondering if I should go ahead or wait till Sec1?
My DH and I have diff opinions on this. I would rather wait, but DH thinks otherwise as DS may have more on his plate in Sec 1.
then at least in Sec 1(end of sec 1), he can do his Grade 8. Would be just nice. It gets busy in Secondary school, so it'd be good to have completed these early. My eldest son did his Gr 8 in Sec 1 ... and so busy ever since then, he hasn't done his diploma exam yet! Aiming for next yr, which is already Sec 4. JC too busy, hope not to do it then.
Hi Phankao,
Thanks for your advice. It's indeed something that we have to chew over for the next few days now that you brought all these points up. But we may leave it for to DS to decide. -
Hi all,
If you are in need of a good piano accompanist please do not hesitate to contact me @ 9178 2971
-ele -
Lilac66:
Blessedwife:
Hi lilac66,
Wow yr DS is taking grade 7 !!! How long has he learnt violin? You must be very proud of him
May I ask how did you practice with him or from young he can managed on his own?
I find that I am of not much help when my son practice his violin. He is not very keen to practice violin and I need to keep reminding him. Also, when his violin teacher told me to take note of this and that (to correct him) during his practicing I am rather clueless about it. Is it really necessary for the mum or dad to have basic knowledge of violin so that we can guide our DS ?
Sorry for asking so many questions but I am wondering should we continue his violin since he has started from January till now.
Hi Blessedwife. Thank you. Well, I'm proud as long as he strives to complete whatever he has set out to do, not just because of the grade. In fact, I did not expect the teacher to recommend taking grade 7 so soon. But after more discussion with DH,we may delay till Sec 1.
Just to add on to Phankao's pts, which are very good and comprehensive, I would say an inspiring teacher that can click with your child is also very important. My son started in K1, had a couple of very uninspiring teachers and as a result, he did not progress fast enough and wasted a year or so as I did not see it early enough(no music background at all for DH and I). When I hired this current teacher, he commented my DS could have done his Grade 7 this year instead of next if his foundation had been stronger. So he had to spend some time working on his weaker areas.
How old id your son? When mine started, it was really more of the parent's efforts as violin is not an easy instrument to pick up. The dexterity of the fingers are important as they do affect the sound the violin produces. Hence it's not very appealing to young children initially. I had to play together with my then 5yr old DS and try to make it fun. Every mistake the teacher pointed out, I tried to devise fun ways to correct it . Oh it was really exhausting then. But the efforts paid off and now the practicing is then entirely on his own. with a little nagging here and there. Also the teacher highlights in a very simple way what he should look out for and correct before the next lesson.
Don't lose hope in your child coz when he really sees the beauty of this instrument,and a teacher that can inspire him, that's when he'll fly. My DS was not very enthusiastic (though unwilling to give up violin) under other teachers also.
Hope my little contribution helps.
Hi lilac66 and Phankao,
Thank you for yr kind advice
My son is 6 years old. Another problem is I intend to change his violin teacher because he is not strict with my son.
Can you think of any good teachers to recommend ?
Kindly pm me if you don't mind to share
Thanks a million !!! -
melture:
NEVER EVER TRY DOREIMI MUSIC SCHOOL AT CHINESE GARDEN.. ONLY KNOW HOW TO EARN MONEY. DON'T KNOW HOW TO TEACH. TEACHER IS RUDE AND SCOLD STUDENT TOO. GOOD LUCK.
Hi, I came across your post and I've to say I'm quite surprised by the information. In fact, my own children are currently doing their music lessons with Doreimi Music School and they very much like the environment there. They said the teachers were kind and enjoyable to be with, perhaps the teacher that your child had gotten was a special case? There are in fact other good teachers among them, within the school.
As of current, my 2 kids are preparing for the year end concert that is going to take place in December. Overall to say, I'm quite satisfied with the school's and teachers' service provided. -
Hi Sapphire! I saw your post just this morning and come to know that your kids also learn at Doreimi music school? that's a great school! Lots of performing opportunities like school concerts, grand concerts, performing classes! My kids also learn at that school and have since progressed very well and they simple love music! hope to see you at the year end concert!
This is the link to the school for more information:
http://www.doreimi.com.sg
Have fun!