School Band -Instrument Types

[phankao]

jce:

From what I know, that's not necessary, however I'm not sure about the system here. I assume you're talking about O/GCE level/MEP music right? In my opinion, it's always useful to have piano (whether as a primary or secondary instrument) cos one can understand so much more as an instrumentalist/vocalist as you have to work with a pianist.


In uni, the instrumentalist were required to take up basic piano skills during the 1st yr. Subsequently they need not do so. And for entry requirements into uni or conservatory, it wasn't necessary. Some conservatories or unis may defer.

Yea, they may have basic piano skills - or even be able to figure out on their own, but the level of proficiency may not be the same as one who takes up piano seriously, or even as a 2nd instrument, I guess.

By the way, even for MEP/O-A-level music exams, it is not necessary for the candidate to offer an 2nd instrument. Altho' if the child does a 2nd instrument, it saves him/her time since he/she can practise those 2 instruments on his/her own.

For those who do not have a 2nd instrument, they would need to pair up with their friends to do ensemble performances (2 or more instruments together) for the exam, in additon to their own Solo Recitals on their own instruments.

You can see the requirements in this document. I think quite self-explanatory.
http://www.seab.gov.sg/SEAB/oLevel/syllabus/2011_GCE_O_Level_Syllabuses/6053_2011.pdf

[phankao]

sleepy:

My dd would need to commit 5 hours from 2nd year onwards. 2 hours practice on individual instrument. 3 hours combined group practice. I believe there should be additional practices near performance date too.

I was thinking more along the line of learning a musical instrument since it's FREE :rahrah:

My ds2 spends up to 10 hours(am/pm) in CCA practice each week during SYF years - like this year it's SYF competition year. He's in CO. He also spends time practising on his own at home for his own personal repertoire as he also has private lessons.

During non-SYF years, each week, it's 6hours of practice. So yeah, it does take a lot of time. Somehow he manages. All our kids were in performing arts CCAs, so this time management/juggling has become an art to time since young in primary school.

So far, the older 2 did not make use of their CCAs for DSA. FYI.

[metz]

phankao:

Many professional violinists or other instrumentalists do not know how to play the piano either.

Eh, different from what the violin teacher told me. He said the professional violinsts/instrumetnalists are required to know piano too. Perhaps, need to clarify with him what he meant by \"professional musicians\". The professionals that you know, what do they do besides teaching?

[sleepy]

phankao:

So far, the older 2 did not make use of their CCAs for DSA. FYI.

Me too, don't intend to apply DSA via band CCA. I heard cannot quit band in sec school if enter via band CCA.

However, if she doesn't show up for group practice, only goes for individual instrument practice, I'm not sure how long she will be allowed to stay in her CCA. Most likely kanna kicked out

[sleepy]

Hubby's friend has a diploma in music. He said compulsory to know at least 2 instruments. Wonder why degree only needs one :?

[phankao]

chamonix:

Eh, different from what the violin teacher told me. He said the professional violinsts/instrumetnalists are required to know piano too. Perhaps, need to clarify with him what he meant by \"professional musicians\". The professionals that you know, what do they do besides teaching?

My son's tr is with SSO and conducts schools. As in, they only play music or work with music for a living, lah. That's going professional, right? Like professional footballers ... they make money simply playing football, right?

[phankao]

sleepy:

Hubby's friend has a diploma in music. He said compulsory to know at least 2 instruments. Wonder why degree only needs one :?

Actually my ds' tr does do 2 instruments. Violin AND viola! haha! Gee... like that also considered 2 instruments.

[phankao]

sleepy:

phankao:

So far, the older 2 did not make use of their CCAs for DSA. FYI.

Me too, don't intend to apply DSA via band CCA. I heard cannot quit band in sec school if enter via band CCA.

However, if she doesn't show up for group practice, only goes for individual instrument practice, I'm not sure how long she will be allowed to stay in her CCA. Most likely kanna kicked out

Actually my ds' did intend to apply DSA under their CCAs, but it just was not available to them. The option, I mean. Unless, they apply for schools less popular than their own affiliated school, lah - but why would they do that, right?

My ds2 still intends to try DSA for his CCA.

[metz]

phankao:

chamonix:

Eh, different from what the violin teacher told me. He said the professional violinsts/instrumetnalists are required to know piano too. Perhaps, need to clarify with him what he meant by \"professional musicians\". The professionals that you know, what do they do besides teaching?

My son's tr is with SSO and conducts schools. As in, they only play music or work with music for a living, lah. That's going professional, right? Like professional footballers ... they make money simply playing football, right?

Haha, honestly, I'm quite clueless what constitutes a professional musician. Your definition sounds quite right. But between a music teacher with diploma qualifications and one performing for a living, there must be some differences, right? Even though both work with music for a living.

Perhaps it's not a requirement. But I do know of a SSO member (maybe ex), who does both violin and piano. Let me check with the violin teacher again. It would be good info for parents with musically inclined kids.

[phankao]

chamonix:

Haha, honestly, I'm quite clueless what constitutes a professional musician. Your definition sounds quite right. But between a music teacher with diploma qualifications and one performing for a living, there must be some differences, right? Even though both work with music for a living.


Perhaps it's not a requirement. But I do know of a SSO member (maybe ex), who does both violin and piano. Let me check with the violin teacher again. It would be good info for parents with musically inclined kids.

Definitely those performing would be true perfectionists. It can be quite frustrating. We remember those early \"teeth-gritting\" days during lessons when the teacher screwed up his face at all the intonation problems, even when it's hairline. And not just diploma but studied music for degree and postgrad degree ... so quite specialised in it.

I think it'd be tough for v young preschoolers to take this type of teaching? Mine were quite old comparatively being pri sch age. We are thankful for the exactness that his teacher required. Both my boys play string instruments (alth' different genre) and have good intonation. It's has become what they expect of themselves.

Anyway, none of my boys have any interest in piano. They only tinker on it for fun once in a very very blue moon. So if it's a 2nd instrument, it'd certainly be something other than piano.