NAFA School of Young Talents - Discussion
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AppleTree:
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.
But he cried a couple of times during lesson due to the teacher's demand. -
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…
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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? -
The result depends on one’s expectation, if one do it for pleasure, one might not see much result.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
Hi, my son has attended Yamaha, Cristofori and NAFA at different stages of his learning :oops: (kiasuparent) and my thoughts are as these....
Yamaha, emphasis alot on building the child's aural and listening skills. They emphasis alot on solfege singing to let the child get creative music influence. Hence a child is only allow to take graded examinations after 4-5years of training and their examination is not ABRSM.
Cristofori is a \"general\" school, in the sense that they do not emphasis too much on anything. They will allow kids to skip grade and most of the time, the kid will get a general pass/pass with merit.
NAFA emphasis alot on technics and expects all kids to get distinction, at the expense of the kid losing his passion and interest in piano. But the kid can expect to complete Grade8 in 4 years.
... For me, I based my decision on the final goal. Why do I let him learn piano? Every parents/child has different reasons. For me, of course, firstly is to let him develop an addition skill. But \"kiasuly\", hopefully this skill will help him get into a good school. And from what I read, a child needs good Grade8 to get into DSA or MEP. Meaning likely distinctions for all Grades.
So if your child has started piano early and has enough years to get Grade8 by Primary 6, I would think getting good grades is important.
Above are my 2cents worth. Hope its helps
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[quote]Yamaha, emphasis alot on building the child's aural and listening skills. They emphasis alot on solfege singing to let the child get creative music influence. Hence a child is only allow to take graded examinations after 4-5years of training and their examination is not ABRSM. [/quote]
It depends on the type of courses in Yamaha. DS joins April this year and will be taking ABRSM grade 1 next year. End of this year, will be Yamaha internal exam. Piano school for children works on everything. Solfege singing, listening skills, aural, repertoire, notes reading etc.
[quote]For me, I based my decision on the final goal. Why do I let him learn piano? Every parents/child has different reasons. For me, of course, firstly is to let him develop an addition skill. But \"kiasuly\", hopefully this skill will help him get into a good school. And from what I read, a child needs good Grade8 to get into DSA or MEP. Meaning likely distinctions for all Grades. [/quote]Looking at schools that offered MEP, a minimum of grade 3 is needed. But based on the MEP thread, does seem difficult as the number of seats available is limited. -
Hi Appletree, Is there any way you use to motivate you child to practice 2 to 3 hrs of piano everyday ? That sounds a big commitment of time for you and your son. I have problem in asking my daughter to even practice one hr per day…
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