NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion

[radiantmum]

Just got to know recently as well that my friend’s child left Yamaha JSAC for NAFA , finds NAFA demoralising and left. I suppose as long as kid can take that kind of stress and still likes music, that’ll be fine. Otherwise, I will also rethink if that is the right place for him.

[AppleTree]

Thks for all the reply. So I'm not the only one feeling depressed. I think my son is right now still too young to feel \"demoralized\". But he cried a couple of times during lesson due to the teacher's demand. You know how it feels to see your son being reprimanded so severely when he has put in so much effort into practises. It really really pains my heart. ...But on the other hand, he will get his grade much faster.... I am in so much dilemna...

[ChiefKiasu]

AppleTree:

Thks for all the reply. So I'm not the only one feeling depressed. I think my son is right now still too young to feel \"demoralized\". But he cried a couple of times during lesson due to the teacher's demand. You know how it feels to see your son being reprimanded so severely when he has put in so much effort into practises. It really really pains my heart. ...But on the other hand, he will get his grade much faster.... I am in so much dilemna...

While I respect the professionalism of the NAFA teachers who have no doubt ensured that the students they churn out are top-notch, I fear that in their well-meaning attempts at instilling personal discipline and perfectionism for budding musicians, they may well extinguish any spark of natural-born interest in music that remain in the kids. In my very humble opinion, music should be loved, not feared. Is our intent on having our children learn music for them to pass music exams and win competitions?

[acforfamily]

AppleTree:

But he cried a couple of times during lesson due to the teacher's demand.

My son went through this stage once with one of the teachers. Although he did not cry, I could see that he does not enjoy going to the lessons. Subsequently, I requested for a change of teachers. He is much happier now despite the fact that I can tell his current teacher may not be as musically talented as the previous one.

[AppleTree]

I totally understand and agree that the utmost importance is for the child to love music and not be forced into it. …But I am really in a dilemna. In NAFA, one parent must accompany the child for all his practical lesson. I have witness the technics taught to my son. It is really professional and impressive. I have previously sent my son to Cristofori and I have vouch for the difference in teaching. …On one hand, I know NAFA can teach him well (without doubt), but on the other hand, even I (as a parent) is already feeling tired and demoralized, I wonder how we can last thru the whole 4years course…

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

My son is not in NAFA but I saw how the teacher starts picking on him. He is in group class. Able to play the entire book while the rest are still struggling midway. Whenever others play their piece, struggle with mistake here and there, she simply say "good try, please practice more". When ds played his, he is to repeat again certain lines, re-play the whole piece and then she started to comment.


As I am present with him, I simply asked her to explain what need to be improved. So far, I understood what is required or where ds weakness point is. Just in case ds don’t understand why he is being picked on. It is important for ds to understand that the teacher is trying to improve his playing and not pick on him to play without a valid reason.

For other student in the group, I think the teacher aim is to teach and play the piece. For ds, it is the next level of play to perfection.

Not sure is that what happen in NAFA too?

[luckystar]

The result depends on one’s expectation, if one do it for pleasure, one might not see much result.

[corneyAmber]

Totall agree with chief kiasu. I have seen many dropout from NAFA and also a lot of them who completed gr 8 has never touch the piano again.


I am not saying that NAFA is not good but it is the culture. It depends if the child and parent can take the stress and handle it properly without losing the interest.

[Picolo]

Sorry, to side-track a bit, I like to seek the opinions of the folks here on this. My son has been learning to play piano for 2 years and recently got a distinction in ABRSM Gr 1. He is the kind who only plays the piano about 2 - 3 times a week and about half hr each time. Typically, it seems like most of the other kids the piano teacher has also spend about 2 years before going for the Gr 1 exams (except for those rare very diligent ones).


However, I know of 2 parents with other piano teachers who commented that their kids are only learning piano for about 1 - 1.5 years and they are already attempting Gr 2 - 3 exams pieces. To these parents, Gr 1 and 2 are too easy and kids should progress faster.

I know of another parent whom daughter has been in Yahama for many years (about 4 yr?) and only did Gr 1 this year. According to her, Yahama believes that every grade is impt and they do not encourage skipping graded exams.

So, my question is, which way is better? I used to think 1 year for 1 grade as a general guide and it takes some time to have a good foundation (my son took a little longer due to the need to correct his fingerings - too flat) but now, I am told that kids need not spend more than 2 years to achieve Grade 3.

I am deciding what kind of methods is best for my 4 yo as I plan to start him on piano later this year. Very confused.

[corneyAmber]

Hi Picolo,


Dun be too confused. All these are very common. It depends on individual. I have students who can play gr 4 exam pieces at the age of 5. But i also have students who learnt of 3 yrs but yet to take exams.

What determine these is the child’s attitude, parental support, amount of practise and lastly talent.