All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[sleepy]

chamonix:

A good teacher can also be one who brings the child to a higher level with high (and sometimes, unreasonable) expectations.

I feel that such high calibre teachers would be ideal when kids reach diploma level or if they intend to pursue music competitively or professionally.

At amateur level, sure cannot take it, would cause kids to give up instead :nailbite:

[metz]

sleepy:

chamonix:

A good teacher can also be one who brings the child to a higher level with high (and sometimes, unreasonable) expectations.

I feel that such high calibre teachers would be ideal when kids reach diploma level or if they intend to pursue music competitively or professionally.

At amateur level, sure cannot take it, would cause kids to give up instead :nailbite:

I would say it requires great maturity from the child. But most importantly, the child must also want to do it himself/herself.

[metz]

phankao:

chamonix:

That's why it is important to define what 'good' means. Usually I'll introduce my friends my piano teacher readily. But for the violin teacher, I'll share with them his strictness and expectations. Can you imagine getting scolded even for the slightest mistake? The violin teacher told my son he expected no mistakes from him during his lessons. He must play like as if he's going on stage for performance. Mistakes were only for home practices. :nailbite:

Then how did your little girl take it? (did you say she started with him - violin at 3yo?) The strictness, I mean. Wouldn't it scare a 3yo and make the poor child lose interest?

Btw, I did see another preschooler crying during his lessons. Yet, he would still go for lessons week after week. The violin teacher may be strict but some kids still like him. For some children, a strict teacher may not necessarily result in a loss of interest.

[bailabi]

chamonix:

phankao:

[quote=\"chamonix\"]That's why it is important to define what 'good' means. Usually I'll introduce my friends my piano teacher readily. But for the violin teacher, I'll share with them his strictness and expectations. Can you imagine getting scolded even for the slightest mistake? The violin teacher told my son he expected no mistakes from him during his lessons. He must play like as if he's going on stage for performance. Mistakes were only for home practices. :nailbite:

Then how did your little girl take it? (did you say she started with him - violin at 3yo?) The strictness, I mean. Wouldn't it scare a 3yo and make the poor child lose interest?

Btw, I did see another preschooler crying during his lessons. Yet, he would still go for lessons week after week. The violin teacher may be strict but some kids still like him. For some children, a strict teacher may not necessarily result in a loss of interest.[/quote]Allow me to share my two cents, i am a piano teacher myself and teaching young children requires much understanding of individual either through parents feedback or experiences. In order to carry the lesson a teacher must be able to find the balance between the strictness and friendliness. Some children will \"climb\" onto your head if you are not strict enough and some will be demoralized and feel inferior or worse lose interest if one is too strict.

[Superduckie]

Hi


I have a 5 yr old girl at a beginner’s level. Looking for piano teacher who will eventually prepare my child for exam.

My location: Central/ I can travel to teacher’s studio if not too far.
Timing: Weekdays except Friday 1:30-2:30pm

It will be great to have recommendation from other parents. Please pm me.

[Superduckie]

Hi


I have a 5 yr old girl at a beginner's level. Looking for piano teacher who will eventually prepare my child for exam.

My location: Central/ I can travel to teacher's studio if not too far.
Timing: Weekdays except Friday 1:30-2:30pm

It will be great to have recommendation from other parents.

My dd1 has been learning 2 years ago. Progress is super slow. Teacher is just too relax. A lot of time and $$ waste :moneyflies:

Please pm me.

[metz]

bailabi:

Allow me to share my two cents, i am a piano teacher myself and teaching young children requires much understanding of individual either through parents feedback or experiences. In order to carry the lesson a teacher must be able to find the balance between the strictness and friendliness. Some children will \"climb\" onto your head if you are not strict enough and some will be demoralized and feel inferior or worse lose interest if one is too strict.

Hi bailabi,

It's refreshing to hear from a teacher's point of view. I can't agree more on teachers who are overly friendly. Our first piano teacher was very friendly and patient. My son didn't exactly 'climb' onto her head, but he was not motivated to learn at all.


Hi Superduckie,

You can find a list of piano teachers on the Homepage under 'Latest Trainer'. Alternatively, you can PM either Dreamaurora (river valley) or Peanut_butter (travels to student's home) for further queries and
recommendations. Both, with some others, have contributed regularly on the forum.

I have never engaged their services before, therefore I cannot vouch for their teaching. Please request for trials before committing yourself if you do contact them or any teachers from the Trainers' list.

[Dreamaurora]

I think this is why it is very important to establish both the child and parent’s expectation right from the very beginning. And also sometimes parents have to be understand that the child cannot be pushed beyond what they can do.


As for strictness, I think nowadays most of the younger teachers do not use negative reinforcements anymore. I use a reward system (collect 20 stickers and exchange for a toy), but I am extremely strict in dispensing the reward. Like if the piece not up to my expectation, then no sticker. I find that this approach works better and the children can feel the loss of not practicing well without being traumatised.

[jce]

Agree, good balance is needed. If I know the child can do better then naturally my expectations are higher. Most important thing is to be able to draw out the best in each child.


Older, secondary school kids are more difficult to teach as well. I find it difficult to teach those who are being asked by parents to "complete the grades" because they are only one or two steps away. The kids themselves don’t see the point of doing it nor do they have the interest. I have tried many ways but sadly, not all will succeed in what I hope to see them achieve.

[peanut_butter]

chamonix:

You can find a list of piano teachers on the Homepage under 'Latest Trainer'. Alternatively, you can PM either Dreamaurora (river valley) or Peanut_butter (travels to student's home) for further queries and recommendations. Both, with some others, have contributed regularly on the forum.

Thanks Chamonis for the publicity. I received a few PM for home tuitions. I do conduct trails but I can’t travel in the evenings any more.

Dreamaurora:

I use a reward system (collect 20 stickers and exchange for a toy), but I am extremely strict in dispensing the reward. Like if the piece not up to my expectation, then no sticker. I find that this approach works better and the children can feel the loss of not practicing well without being traumatised.

You are good. The ‘carrot’ approach didn’t work for me some years ago. The kids were initially keen but the excitement die down after a while. I discovered that the ‘stick' method worked better. When they repeated the same mistakes frequently, I put a skull sticker on the chart board. I threaten them by telling them that whoever accumulate the most stickers would have to treat everyone else at MacDonalds on 31st Dec. It worked wonder for some. The downside is the trick can only use for one year. So I couldn’t renew my contract with the school. :evil: I want to try the reward method again this year. But my students want to ipad2. :imdrowning: