Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[jce]

For the early grades it is not necessary to book the studio for practice, I only recommend for those who are young and taking their first exam, or the higher grades because they need to have a feel for the piano. I do try to be there for these but it is provided time permits

[hci_2011]

Thanks Dreamaurora, phanko and jce.

[ruohoo97]

Dreamaurora:

You ask the most difficult questions. Fair enough, I will try my best to answer it.

I admit that last year when I first started posting in this forum that perhaps I did not present myself in the proper light. Speaking about the 6 year olds, I actually received quite a few negative feedbacks regarding that, so I kinda wish that you had not brought that up again. When I started learning piano, I admit I was kind of result obssessed. I decided pretty much the moment I started learning piano at 17 that I was going to go into it full time. So I pushed myself to jump grades to make up for lost time and also to prove to my parents I had 'talent'. Of course when I went to NAFA I had a rude shock but I still managed to pull through.

When I enter the teaching field 4 years ago (I started with 3 private students when I was in 3rd year NAFA), unfortunately I also had the same mindset when I started learning piano. I figured that if I could accomplish some wild goals I will get noticed, after all that was what Singapore parents wanted right (teachers who can produce results)?

But then around last year roughly after the 6 year olds thing I started to think, is this what I want to be known for? I got where I am now thanks to patient teachers who acknowledged my weaknesses and worked carefully with me. Yes, I had brief lessons with a well-known teacher who declared that I should not go music full time and I would not survive NAFA; I respect his honesty and I hope I would not become a teacher like him. I know it's very tempting to be known as a teacher whose students win competitions, skip grades and get distinctions, got diplomas at very young age, etc.

What I want to be known for is that I am a teacher who can instill passion in music and realise the best potential of his students. I know many people here may think I am very choosy about my students, but actually quite opposite. I don't do NAFA style of screening only the best students into my studio. All I ask from them is that they love music and believe in themselves. Most of my students did not have a good start, a few even had poor results or failures in exams from their previous teachers. Seeing them improve and enjoying lessons give me joy, and I could see reflection of myself in them. Studying piano is not only about acquire another skill, but it is also a journey of self discovery. I not only wish my students to do well according to their capabilities, but I hope they become better persons too. And I hope I can further impart this spirit into the new generation of teachers too.

Dear Dreamaurora, I am touched by your reply.
My two dCs started to learn piano when they were 4 or 5, now they are both in Grade 7 (one in Sec 2 and one in P6), but both of them seem lost the love of music. They do the minimum to entertain \"my request\" and they just hope to \"pass\". I feel like all these years' investment and time have wasted. I really don't know what to do? Shall I just let them be or \"force\" them to continue play?

Thank you!

[Dreamaurora]

ruohoo97:

Dreamaurora:

You ask the most difficult questions. Fair enough, I will try my best to answer it.

I admit that last year when I first started posting in this forum that perhaps I did not present myself in the proper light. Speaking about the 6 year olds, I actually received quite a few negative feedbacks regarding that, so I kinda wish that you had not brought that up again. When I started learning piano, I admit I was kind of result obssessed. I decided pretty much the moment I started learning piano at 17 that I was going to go into it full time. So I pushed myself to jump grades to make up for lost time and also to prove to my parents I had 'talent'. Of course when I went to NAFA I had a rude shock but I still managed to pull through.

When I enter the teaching field 4 years ago (I started with 3 private students when I was in 3rd year NAFA), unfortunately I also had the same mindset when I started learning piano. I figured that if I could accomplish some wild goals I will get noticed, after all that was what Singapore parents wanted right (teachers who can produce results)?

But then around last year roughly after the 6 year olds thing I started to think, is this what I want to be known for? I got where I am now thanks to patient teachers who acknowledged my weaknesses and worked carefully with me. Yes, I had brief lessons with a well-known teacher who declared that I should not go music full time and I would not survive NAFA; I respect his honesty and I hope I would not become a teacher like him. I know it's very tempting to be known as a teacher whose students win competitions, skip grades and get distinctions, got diplomas at very young age, etc.

What I want to be known for is that I am a teacher who can instill passion in music and realise the best potential of his students. I know many people here may think I am very choosy about my students, but actually quite opposite. I don't do NAFA style of screening only the best students into my studio. All I ask from them is that they love music and believe in themselves. Most of my students did not have a good start, a few even had poor results or failures in exams from their previous teachers. Seeing them improve and enjoying lessons give me joy, and I could see reflection of myself in them. Studying piano is not only about acquire another skill, but it is also a journey of self discovery. I not only wish my students to do well according to their capabilities, but I hope they become better persons too. And I hope I can further impart this spirit into the new generation of teachers too.

Dear Dreamaurora, I am touched by your reply.
My two dCs started to learn piano when they were 4 or 5, now they are both in Grade 7 (one in Sec 2 and one in P6), but both of them seem lost the love of music. They do the minimum to entertain \"my request\" and they just hope to \"pass\". I feel like all these years' investment and time have wasted. I really don't know what to do? Shall I just let them be or \"force\" them to continue play?

Thank you!

Do you enter them for exams every year? Are they playing pieces they like for exams or the teacher dictated what they play? Learning pace too fast or too slow? Insurmountable technical difficulties in pieces? There are many variables that may cause lost of interest, so if you can provide more info will be better.

What I may suggest is to take them away from structured piano exams at the moment and let them rediscover the joy of playing and performing. Consider Trinity board's Advanced Certificate that assesses a post grade 8 performance of around 20 minutes; basically a recital exam without the scales, sight reading, and aural component. Let them choose the pieces themselves so they love what they are playing. Consider also letting them pick up non-classical learning e.g. pop or jazz piano to have more variety in their learning.

[ruohoo97]

Dear Dearmaurora, thanks for quick reply.


They don’t take exam every year. They only did Grade 3, 5 and 6, this year will be Grade 7. My DS was very interested and "talented"( told by one of master teacher) when he was younger. But when he was in P5, he was so interested in soccer, so i would say, he puts all his heart and soul in soccer and was very slack in playing piano. He did request to stop piano, but I feel he should continue.

My DD is hardworking, so she progresses fast than her brother. Now she also starts swimming and finds no time for piano.

Yes, I would like to find other channels to rekindle the love of music and love of playing. Their current teach has been teaching them all these years, yet, she struggles to motivate them too.

[Dreamaurora]

ruohoo97:

Dear Dearmaurora, thanks for quick reply.


They don't take exam every year. They only did Grade 3, 5 and 6, this year will be Grade 7. My DS was very interested and \"talented\"( told by one of master teacher) when he was younger. But when he was in P5, he was so interested in soccer, so i would say, he puts all his heart and soul in soccer and was very slack in playing piano. He did request to stop piano, but I feel he should continue.

My DD is hardworking, so she progresses fast than her brother. Now she also starts swimming and finds no time for piano.

Yes, I would like to find other channels to rekindle the love of music and love of playing. Their current teach has been teaching them all these years, yet, she struggles to motivate them too.

To be honest, at this age more or less children can automate their learning and have an idea what they want. From my experience teaching, no time is normally just an excuse. If they are truly passionate about it, they will definitely find or request the time to practice. Claiming no time normally just means they put piano as lesser priorities.

Personally I think there's nothing wrong in letting them enjoy another activities. With proper time management and realistic expectations they should be able to enjoy all activities equally. What I suggest you can do is to have discussion with your kids to find out the issues that's causing them to lose motivations. Then afterwards you can discuss with the teacher possible solutions.

[concerned_father]

Hi Dreamaurora,


Do you have any recommended books for pre-grade/grade-1 sight reading practice?

[Dreamaurora]

concerned_father:

Hi Dreamaurora,


Do you have any recommended books for pre-grade/grade-1 sight reading practice?

Normally the pieces in method books are sufficient to develop the sight-reading skill, unless your child learns the pieces by emulating the teacher.
Standard recommendation for grade 1 sight reading books will be either Joining the Dots or Right at Sight. There are other options such as Sight Reading Made Easy and Moving Forward, but they are not easily available in Singapore.

[buzzmario]

hi Dearmaurora.


do you still teach piano?

my kid just passed her grade 2. but the teacher dun seem to motivate the interest.

thanks

[buzzmario]

hi Dearmaurora.


do you still teach piano?

my kid just passed her grade 2. but the teacher dun seem to motivate the interest.

thanks