Help please??
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Aya:
In any case, I think $2000 is quite a low budget to work with for piano that you plan to use for some time. Considering that you are in grade 2 now, the piano at most will last say around 2-4 years top for your learning and you will then be shopping for another piano again very soon. Not saying you can't take higher grade with a cheap piano, afterall I did pass my grade 7 with a very cheap and old 2nd hand Young Chang, but it is impossible to realise the finer nuances and aspects of interpretation at higher level with a cheap piano.ksi:
Sorry to say this, I think you are the main issue here as your dad only pays. So it is necessary that you do research on all models of piano that you like the sound first, then look for the second hand version to hear the sound again n with the right price, I am sure your dad will just pay. You really hv to do the groundwork to exhaust yr options and not repeat the same mistake in your first purchase. Even for a second hand one it would be good to try out the piano rigorously before making the decision. $400 to $2000 is a big jump of budget so you better get it right this time. I may sound a little harsh but both you n dad will be happy with your final purchase if you have done your part sufficiently.
I never said I had a problem with my dad or his request. I just think that the budget is a bit of a constraint. I don't want to buy a cheap piano that will not last/will not sound as good. In the long run, a more expensive (and better quality one) would help to save cost since it wouldn't be spoilt so easily.
I spent almost the whole of yesterday just to do research on second hand piano shops, so yes, I am doing my work. I don't really have a favourite brand or model but I know that Yamaha and Kawai are good brands and something on the lower end would suffice (etc Yamaha JU109). I'll feel assured knowing that it's an actual brand rather than some that I've never heard of.
When I first went shopping for a piano, I had only gone through 1-2 lessons of piano so I didn't really know how to test the piano and didn't know what kind of sound I liked (couldnt tell the difference). Ended up indecisive after walking around the piano warehouse. So when I knew my friend had a piano which she never used anymore, I asked about the price and she offered to sell it to me at $400 which I agreed upon. Now that I have experienced playing it I know that pianos are actually value for money, so rest assured, I will obviously be more careful this time.
My suggestion for you would be to work very hard for say your grade 2 or grade 3 and try your best to get a distinction. Convince your dad that you are serious in piano and also tell him the benefits of learning piano (teaching piano part time can be quite a good source of secondary income) and hope that he will up the budget for you to get a better piano. -
Dreamaurora:
My suggestion for you would be to work very hard for say your grade 2 or grade 3 and try your best to get a distinction. Convince your dad that you are serious in piano and also tell him the benefits of learning piano (teaching piano part time can be quite a good source of secondary income) and hope that he will up the budget for you to get a better piano.
I have a feeling the excellent result would only convince her dad that the wreck could serve her well to grade 8. She might have a higher chance of success if she top up the extra cost with a loan from the father and agree to pay back with interest once she started teaching at a committed date. -
Dreamaurora:
My dad doesn't seem to trust me. He says he has heard that most people give up at around grade 5-6 because it gets increasingly stressful. I can't act overly confident because I'm not sure if I will continue to have an interest in piano at that level. There is no telling what will happen in future.
In any case, I think $2000 is quite a low budget to work with for piano that you plan to use for some time. Considering that you are in grade 2 now, the piano at most will last say around 2-4 years top for your learning and you will then be shopping for another piano again very soon. Not saying you can't take higher grade with a cheap piano, afterall I did pass my grade 7 with a very cheap and old 2nd hand Young Chang, but it is impossible to realise the finer nuances and aspects of interpretation at higher level with a cheap piano.
My suggestion for you would be to work very hard for say your grade 2 or grade 3 and try your best to get a distinction. Convince your dad that you are serious in piano and also tell him the benefits of learning piano (teaching piano part time can be quite a good source of secondary income) and hope that he will up the budget for you to get a better piano.
I believe my dad knows the benefits of learning piano, he even told me that I can start teaching once I've passed Grade 4. I think the problem is he feels insecure. That's why he doesn't want to take the risk of buying an expensive piano. Or he just doesn't want to spend money on a new piano.
I guess I will make do with a <$2000 piano since I really want/need a new one (asap!). Time will tell how much I really like/love playing the piano. If I manage to persist till Grade 4-5 my dad might be convinced by then.
Anyway, my dad is taking me down to a music school which sells second-hand pianos tomorrow. Hoping to find a second hand Yamaha/Kawai piano there. I don't know any pianists (or at least they aren't my good friends.), and how to approach my piano teacher? It's awkward to ask her out just to help me buy a piano.
To the other suggestion, I think the idea of a loan is a bit far-fetched.. I'm still in sec 2, long way to go before I can work... O_o XD -
Aya:
Your dad's concern is valid and many parents have this same worry. All you have to do now is to prove to him your passion. I had the same issue as you last time and I started piano much later than you at 17 years old. I passed my grade 7 when I was 19 years old to prove to my parents that I was really serious about making music my career and in the end they let me study NAFA full time. Anyway, sent you a PM.
My dad doesn't seem to trust me. He says he has heard that most people give up at around grade 5-6 because it gets increasingly stressful. I can't act overly confident because I'm not sure if I will continue to have an interest in piano at that level. There is no telling what will happen in future.Dreamaurora:
In any case, I think $2000 is quite a low budget to work with for piano that you plan to use for some time. Considering that you are in grade 2 now, the piano at most will last say around 2-4 years top for your learning and you will then be shopping for another piano again very soon. Not saying you can't take higher grade with a cheap piano, afterall I did pass my grade 7 with a very cheap and old 2nd hand Young Chang, but it is impossible to realise the finer nuances and aspects of interpretation at higher level with a cheap piano.
My suggestion for you would be to work very hard for say your grade 2 or grade 3 and try your best to get a distinction. Convince your dad that you are serious in piano and also tell him the benefits of learning piano (teaching piano part time can be quite a good source of secondary income) and hope that he will up the budget for you to get a better piano.
I believe my dad knows the benefits of learning piano, he even told me that I can start teaching once I've passed Grade 4. I think the problem is he feels insecure. That's why he doesn't want to take the risk of buying an expensive piano. Or he just doesn't want to spend money on a new piano.
I guess I will make do with a <$2000 piano since I really want/need a new one (asap!). Time will tell how much I really like/love playing the piano. If I manage to persist till Grade 4-5 my dad might be convinced by then.
Anyway, my dad is taking me down to a music school which sells second-hand pianos tomorrow. Hoping to find a second hand Yamaha/Kawai piano there. I don't know any pianists (or at least they aren't my good friends.), and how to approach my piano teacher? It's awkward to ask her out just to help me buy a piano.
To the other suggestion, I think the idea of a loan is a bit far-fetched.. I'm still in sec 2, long way to go before I can work... O_o XD -
hope this thread is of some help to you.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1606&p=638576&hilit=choosing+a+piano#p638576 -
Thanks for your replies.
However… my dad changed his mind again. After my piano lesson ended, I was expecting him to take me to the music school to see the pianos, but he (told my mum to tell me) that he wants to RENT a piano? I don’t want to seem disrespectful but seriously … ? He says he will try to look out for ads on the newspaper. How long will it take him to do that??? And is he just trying to delay time/not get me a piano at all? He didn’t even tell that to me personally, he asked my mum to tell me all that. I guess he is trying to avoid me…
sighs, I don’t think I’m going to get a piano any time soon… -
Hi Aya, don’t feel so despondent with your dad’s action. Maybe as a parent who think that he knows you better than you know yourself. Maybe he thinks that renting one might be a better decision. I did suggested that to my friends who are not sure whether their kids have the interest to continue playing the pianos in the long term. Buying a piano more than $1000 is a major thing and also must think where to put.
Why you cannot ask your piano teacher? I thought your piano teacher might be able to advise you and help you source for a piano. -
I think this thread really highlight what will happen when there is lack of communication between teachers and parents. As I suggested to aya in a pm, she should get the teacher to talk to her dad and explain the process of learning piano and the necessity of a good instrument. Her teacher should also update her parents constantly on her current progress so they know if aya is serious or not. That is why it is important that teachers keep a open line of communication with the parents.
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