Just MHO on school versus private tutor.


Private tutor no doubt will be much cheaper than school, saving on rental, administration staff, utilities, etc, and furthermore there is no lack of very good private teachers around.

Having said that, my boy is in Mendeville's 1 to 1 violin class after contemplating various options.

First of all, in a school environment, you will see many kids whether it is 1 on 1 or group class, it will put him in the right mood of learning-- See? Other kids are doing the same thing!

Secondly, even though it is 1 to 1 class, there are ensemble weeks where all the kids from approximately the same level would play together. This gives the kids an exposure to play violin together with others, which is nice because ultimately, violin is mainly played together with others in a group, whether in chamber music or orchestra.

Thirdly, small ricitals, and major concerts organized by the school is also vital for kids to learn confidence and overcome stage fright, after all, music is performance art.

The above exposure is not easy to be arranged by private tutors unless he/she is extremely resourceful. Having a variety does make the learning journey not as boring, and there is always this new song and little goal of recitals/performance in a month's time to motivate the kid for a little more practice.

At a tender age, learning needs to be fun, repetitions, exams and grinding will just kill their interest in the instruments.

I will consider switching him to private tutor when he is older, provided he is still into violin then At that stage, he will probably be more self motivated, and probably more used to exams and grinding...

Glad I read all these, never will I even think of sending my boy for NAFA audition again… Thanks.