It’s sometimes useful (though not in all situations) to step away from the piano so to let the learning sink in. It’s also useful to practice away from the piano, using the "imaginary piano", imagining the keys as you play, imagining the sound produced as you play.

Yes, fingering is important right from the start, beginner or diploma. Firstly, fingering instills discipline. To follow through the same set of fingering each time the piece is played takes a lot of practice, patience and focus. Secondly, fingering helps with memory. It’s like taking the same path each time you go from point A to B. This helps enhance memory and minimises mistakes. Thirdly, good planning in fingering helps tackle technical problems. It also helps in giving a nice shape to a phrase.

Fifiyeo, you can try Yamaha. The series is in collaboration with Faber Music Publishing. Yamaha brings in certain books from Faber. I am checking it out when I go to UK this year end to see whether it’s suitable.

electric piano will never be the same as the real deal…

electric piano will never be the same as the real deal…

Aural tests for all instruments is the same. If the instrumental teacher is able to prepare your child for the aural segment then that should be sufficient. Problems arise when non-piano instrumental teachers aren’t able to play the piano efficiently or don’t have access to a piano/keyboard where they are teaching. That’s when you may need to engage external help.

Whether the tuner uses an equipment or by ear, that to me makes no major difference, what is more important is that the tuner knows how to tune and use the equipment properly. A fine tool under the hands of an inexperience or unskilled worker is useless.


As for the duration of tuning, it depends on how out of tune the piano is, but generally 45 to 60 mins. Pianos that are in poor condition may need more than one tuning.

Angelight, it’s similar motion. Starting on ANY key, not just D and Ab. It is in gr 5 that the student is required to play chromatic contrary in D and Ab along with chromatic in similar motion on any key.


Reiner, exam dates are given approximately 3 weeks prior to exam. Except theory, which is a fixed date.

Hi Muska, my dd is in P5 and no, she does not wear PE shorts under her skirt every day.


Last year when my ds entered P1, uniform was purchased/ordered separately directly from the vendor together with the name tags. They were there during the orientation.

I am sure it will. Easily hit 50 every new year