Teacher Dreamaurora - Piano Q&A

[Dreamaurora]

phankao:

Dreamaurora:

After my students pass grade 5 practical then they will have separate 50 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 8 theory.

Do all your students take Grade 8 theory?

Not all currently, but I do recommend taking the grade 8 because for higher grades it help a lot in understanding the structure of the music. For those who want to take Diplomas, I request them to take the grade 8 theory as I am following Grade 8->ALCM->DipABRSM/ATCL route. With Grade 8 theory, a student can omit the sight-reading and aural component of ALCM and just focus on the pieces.

[Dreamaurora]

Honesty:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"Honesty\"]How long does it takes to finish theory syllabus before taking an exam? Ususally each lesson is about 45 mins which include both practical and theory. With that, how long does one take to complete one grade theory? :scratchhead:

Depends on the teacher and the student. For my case, I don't do every theory grade, the only two that I prepare students are grade 5 and 8. For beginner or lower grades I will just teach sufficient theory for the students to be able to read and then afterwards I will drill them on weekly sight-reading exercises. Then after they pass grade 3 practical I will give them a separate 15-20 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 5 theory. After my students pass grade 5 practical then they will have separate 50 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 8 theory.

This is the approach I use and so far it has worked for me over the years. I understand in music schools the theory and practical are prepared simultaneously for the lower grades; I have never used this approach but I imagine the progress will depend on how skilled the teacher in managing the time and explaining the concepts effectively.

Very slow and perhaps it could be my DD doesn't understand. Teacher said 45 mins not enough time to cover both and ususally only 10 mins on theory.[/quote]Perhaps it is just a case of not enough time. Maybe you can try following my approach? You can try focusing on the practical only first and then take separate theory lessons later.

[Honesty]

Dreamaurora:

Dreamaurora:

Depends on the teacher and the student. For my case, I don't do every theory grade, the only two that I prepare students are grade 5 and 8. For beginner or lower grades I will just teach sufficient theory for the students to be able to read and then afterwards I will drill them on weekly sight-reading exercises. Then after they pass grade 3 practical I will give them a separate 15-20 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 5 theory. After my students pass grade 5 practical then they will have separate 50 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 8 theory.

This is the approach I use and so far it has worked for me over the years. I understand in music schools the theory and practical are prepared simultaneously for the lower grades; I have never used this approach but I imagine the progress will depend on how skilled the teacher in managing the time and explaining the concepts effectively.

Very slow and perhaps it could be my DD doesn't understand. Teacher said 45 mins not enough time to cover both and ususally only 10 mins on theory.[/quote]

Perhaps it is just a case of not enough time. Maybe you can try following my approach? You can try focusing on the practical only first and then take separate theory lessons later.[/quote]

I realised that some are taught separately ie 45 mins practical and 45 mins theory. The teacher did mention 45 mins to cover both is quite impossible and an hour per lesson should have some time for theory. :xedfingers:

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

phankao:

[quote=\"Dreamaurora\"] After my students pass grade 5 practical then they will have separate 50 hours theory lessons to prepare for grade 8 theory.

Do all your students take Grade 8 theory?

Not all currently, but I do recommend taking the grade 8 because for higher grades it help a lot in understanding the structure of the music. For those who want to take Diplomas, I request them to take the grade 8 theory as I am following Grade 8->ALCM->DipABRSM/ATCL route. With Grade 8 theory, a student can omit the sight-reading and aural component of ALCM and just focus on the pieces.[/quote]sorry, what is ALCM?

[Dreamaurora]

phankao:

sorry, what is ALCM?

The second level Diploma offered by LCM (the first one is DipLCM which is just slightly more difficult compared to grade 8). Student need only to perform 20-25 minutes of repertoire + scales/Czerny. It is a good intermediary diploma to attempt before ATCL/DipABRSM because can overlap the repertoire and it is shorter. You can try googling 'LCM Music Diplomas'.

[Dreamaurora]

Honesty:

I realised that some are taught separately ie 45 mins practical and 45 mins theory. The teacher did mention 45 mins to cover both is quite impossible and an hour per lesson should have some time for theory. :xedfingers:

Yeah, I agree. For my practical lesson, I already spend 1/3 of the lesson just going through sight-reading and technical exercises such as Czerny or Heller. Then beside the solo pieces there may be aural and miscellaneous stuff such as duet also. I simply cannot imagine putting in theory lesson without sacrificing one aspect of the practical lesson.

[Honesty]

Dear Dreamaurora


For abrsm gr 5 exam pieces, which pieces will you recommend for kid with pretty short fingers?

[Dreamaurora]

Honesty:

Dear Dreamaurora


For abrsm gr 5 exam pieces, which pieces will you recommend for kid with pretty short fingers?

If your kid cannot stretch an octave, should probably avoid To Wild Rose, For Lydia, and Samba-lele.

The rest are doable, some notes may be omitted sparingly to make them more manageable e.g. for the Beethoven Minuet, the top notes of the left hand block chords can be omitted and still produce satisfactory result.

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

Honesty:

Dear Dreamaurora


For abrsm gr 5 exam pieces, which pieces will you recommend for kid with pretty short fingers?

If your kid cannot stretch an octave, should probably avoid To Wild Rose, For Lydia, and Samba-lele.

The rest are doable, some notes may be omitted sparingly to make them more manageable e.g. for the Beethoven Minuet, the top notes of the left hand block chords can be omitted and still produce satisfactory result.

I never knew how this changes were made, but I think I'm getting the hang of it, bc my youngest 4yo wanted to play some pieces and there were LH chords that he couldn't fully play well, but the chords were crucial and I managed to modify it. Not for exams, but I guess I understand how it can be done now. ;D

[Honesty]

Some of the gr 3 exam pieces were sort of changed (ie chords) due to the "small & short fingers"… DD’s longest finger is probably 5cm…