Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A
-
hi Dreamaurora,
Are you familiar with Nafa teaching? My friend’s child is in Nafa,10 yrs old already learning Gr8 pieces.But both parents and child are under a lot of stress in this programme. do you have any suggestion or recommendation if they want to withdraw from the programme? -
Puzz...zzle:
Yes, I am familiar with NAFA Young Talents Programme. Since your friend's child is already preparing for grade 8 pieces, that means the child is almost at the end of the course. Perhaps it is better to stick a while more until he/she gets the grade 8, then after that can study diploma with one of the established teachers in Singapore. Unless the child has developed a phobia towards the piano as a result of the stress and pressure, changing teacher at this critical juncture should be a last resort. NAFA Young Talents has one of the most efficient and organised music teaching system I know of and they are very much focused on the results. Students who are highly self-motivated and disciplined may find Young Talents approach much more fruitful to their piano study, but it can also go the other way and cause lost of interest as students there cannot slow down their progress.hi Dreamaurora,
Are you familiar with Nafa teaching? My friend's child is in Nafa,10 yrs old already learning Gr8 pieces.But both parents and child are under a lot of stress in this programme. do you have any suggestion or recommendation if they want to withdraw from the programme? -
I have written a short article on some of the things parents need to be aware when they have children who learn piano, though the article can apply also to another instrument if you wish. Hope you all find this useful.
Do provide a proper piano and practice space for your child. A well maintained and regulated acoustic piano will be the most ideal. With proper instrument, your child will be more motivated and able to realise his/her vision for the music. Digital piano or silent piano should only be procured if there is a concern about noise and unorthodox practice hours like late midnight. And get an adjustable bench if you don’t have one; incorrect sitting height is one of the main culprits for bad posture. A pedal extender is also necessary if your child could not reach the damper pedal and the pieces he/she plays requires it. Make sure the piano is placed in a space where there is adequate free space and lighting, and preferably with air-conditioning. Do not place the piano in a corner where you keep all your junks; your child will feel that piano is unimportant. And do not put the piano at a place where there are distractions, like for example at the living room where the TV is constantly on.
Do support your child in practice. Most students only see their teachers once a week and for the rest of the week they have to practice without feedback from their teachers. Be interested in your child’s practice sessions. Check with your child’s teacher regarding any homework and remind your child to do it before each practise session. Help plan the practice sessions and allocate specific time slots for practice during the week. Don’t ask your child to only practice when he/she is free. If you have piano background, you can sit down with your child and help correct mistakes. But at the very least try to communicate with your child regarding any difficulties he/she encounters during practice and convey them to the teacher accordingly. Practise is hard work and seldom fun; remember to praise your child for being disciplined in practice.
Do provide the necessary additional resources and equipments for your child. As much as possible, buy original scores instead of using photocopies. If using photocopies, put them in proper clear holder files. A good metronome, either digital or manual, is also an essential practice tool. Additional equipments that can be useful include a good sound recorder and video cam; these can be used to record lessons and also your child’s playing at home.
Do observe proper performance etiquette for exams and concerts. A performance starts from the moment your child walks into the stage/exam room. Good performance etiquette will leave good impressions on audience/examiner. Invest in a set of performance clothes for your child. For boys, long sleeve shirt, pant, and leather shoe. For girls, one piece dress with shoes and stockings. Also, practice with your child how to present him/herself confidently; practice speaking, smiling, and bowing.
Do communicate with your child’s teacher openly. Teachers do appreciate when parents provide regular feedback and voice out any concerns or expectations. Teachers are not mind readers and conflicts often happen between teachers and parents because of disconnect between teachers’ visions and parents’ expectations. Good teachers are flexible enough to adapt their teaching methods to suit each student but we do still need inputs from the students and parents. Don’t be indifferent and always blame the teacher when things go south. Parents and students play an equally important role to ensure a successful and seamless learning process. Feedback to the teacher if your child is coping well with practice and also any concerns such as speed of progress and exam matters. Best if parents could sit down to observe the lesson and talk to the teacher afterwards.
Do engage your child in musical activities besides the weekly lessons. It is quite tragic to hear someone who passed grade 8 in piano saying that he had never watched a single classical piano recital or performed in a student concert before. Learning music should not only consist of lessons and exams; the experience will be much richer if parents can create a music loving environment. The most basic you can do is to play classical recordings at home often and listening to them together with your child. But do go the extra mile and bring your child to watch classical concerts designed for children. When he/she is older you can attend more serious classical concerts. Participate in concerts organized by the teacher and you can also organize mini informal concerts to give opportunities for your child to share his/her music. Join festivals or competitions if your child is more experienced and ambitious. If possible, allow your child to join group music activities such as choir, band, or orchestra.
Don’t have an unrealistic expectation on what your child can do. It is good to believe your child is capable, but like academic study not all children will have equal capabilities to learn. Some children may pick up piano very quickly and complete the grades faster, and some may take more time. The good news is that there is no time limit to accomplish each level, so the system is flexible enough to accomodate different learning speed. ‘Overdriving’ your children by asking them to attempt grades higher than what they are capable of may cause frustration and loss of interest, although I do not deny that some motivated children may relish the challenge.
Don’t put too much emphasis in exam result. This does not mean result is not important; a good result in exam is a byproduct of excellent and thorough preparation and can serve as great motivation boost. However music is subjective and there may be instances where your child may not get the expected result. This is all part and parcel of performance; even a concert pianist’s performance may evoke completely different response among audience. What matters is that your child has done his/her best. However if the result is noticeably poor because if some weaknesses or incomplete preparation, you may wish to feedback to the teacher to implement measures to improve the result on the next exam.
Do support and cooperate with the teacher on payment and schedule. Teaching is after all professional work and we would appreciate if all payments are done on time; no teachers like to hound parents or students for fees. Also any changes to schedule need to be communicated in advance, don’t inform last minute or worse, MIA. -
That’s a nice & informational read. Thanks Dreamaurora.
-
THankyou!
-
Hi Dreamaurora & everybody,
Is it possible to self study Grade 5 theory? My children’s previous teacher has recommended us The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part I) for self studying. Are there any other books or programs that you would recommend? We are keen to try out the theory books (for practices) available on market. But most don’t come with answers, and this makes it hard for someone without music background like me. I understand you do publish books. Do you happen to publish theory books with answers?
Many thanks! -
chamonix:
I like Ying Ying Ng's Music Theory for Young Musicians. My late teens students use it for self-study. But I still mark their work la. If in doubt, you can get a teacher to check when you complete the book. They have explanations that link well with the exercises. Their topics flow better than Lina Ng's. It's easy for adults to comprehend. I didn't use additional material, except for mock exam papers. Some music store carries the exam answers. The only draw back is it is too colorful for many adults or teachers to accept.Is it possible to self study Grade 5 theory? My children's previous teacher has recommended us The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part I) for self studying. Are there any other books or programs that you would recommend? We are keen to try out the theory books (for practices) available on market. But most don't come with answers, and this makes it hard for someone without music background like me.
-
chamonix:
Whether it is possible? Yes, it is possible. I studied grade 5 theory myself when I started learning piano because my first teacher was a PRC and he could not teach theory. And I have no money to attend the music school's group theory lessons. So I asked a friend of mine what to do and she recommended me that same pink color book to read up. Then I bought the mock exam papers and their model answers and figure out their connections. Somehow I still managed to pass the exam.Hi Dreamaurora & everybody,
Is it possible to self study Grade 5 theory? My children's previous teacher has recommended us The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part I) for self studying. Are there any other books or programs that you would recommend? We are keen to try out the theory books (for practices) available on market. But most don't come with answers, and this makes it hard for someone without music background like me. I understand you do publish books. Do you happen to publish theory books with answers?
Many thanks!
Do I recommend learning by yourself? No, because I basically brute forced my way through the theory and learnt everything by rote, I did not really understand any of the concepts. It is only much later during my full time study that I actually relearn all the concepts and began to understand how a good understanding theory links to my playing.
Anyway if you want to start self-studying, there is indeed a theory book that comes with complete answers.
http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Materials-Music-Theory-Programed/dp/0205295843
You will have to order this online though. It is by no means complete but I recommend going through this book first before doing the pink book. I am indeed working on a grade 5 theory book now (which comes with answers). But the prototype will only be ready in a few months time. If you want to, you are welcome to be guinea pig.
-
peanut_butter:
I like Ying Ying Ng's Music Theory for Young Musicians. My late teens students use it for self-study. But I still mark their work la. If in doubt, you can get a teacher to check when you complete the book. They have explanations that link well with the exercises. Their topics flow better than Lina Ng's. It's easy for adults to comprehend. I didn't use additional material, except for mock exam papers. Some music store carries the exam answers. The only draw back is it is too colorful for many adults or teachers to accept.chamonix:
Is it possible to self study Grade 5 theory? My children's previous teacher has recommended us The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part I) for self studying. Are there any other books or programs that you would recommend? We are keen to try out the theory books (for practices) available on market. But most don't come with answers, and this makes it hard for someone without music background like me.
Ying Ying Ng's books are not bad, one of the better options on the market. Unfortunately none of the ABRSM theory books in the market now is fully comprehensive yet. The Americans have better theory books that are actually quite interesting to read and informative, but may not be fully relevant to the preparation of grade 5 ABRSM. -
Dreamaurora:
I like Ying Ying Ng's Music Theory for Young Musicians. My late teens students use it for self-study. But I still mark their work la. If in doubt, you can get a teacher to check when you complete the book. They have explanations that link well with the exercises. Their topics flow better than Lina Ng's. It's easy for adults to comprehend. I didn't use additional material, except for mock exam papers. Some music store carries the exam answers. The only draw back is it is too colorful for many adults or teachers to accept.peanut_butter:
[quote=\"chamonix\"]Is it possible to self study Grade 5 theory? My children's previous teacher has recommended us The AB Guide to Music Theory (Part I) for self studying. Are there any other books or programs that you would recommend? We are keen to try out the theory books (for practices) available on market. But most don't come with answers, and this makes it hard for someone without music background like me.
Ying Ying Ng's books are not bad, one of the better options on the market. Unfortunately none of the ABRSM theory books in the market now is fully comprehensive yet. The Americans have better theory books that are actually quite interesting to read and informative, but may not be fully relevant to the preparation of grade 5 ABRSM.[/quote]Someone i know did Grade 8 abysm theory self-study by using online resources only and got distinction.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login