How to tell if I've no talent at all. (Or maybe its time to change piano teacher)
- Thread starter mera
- Start date
piano_lessons
New member
hi Mera,
I've been teaching part time in a music for more than 2 years.
I believe there are several things I can share with you.
Regarding orchestral score, she's partly correct. In the sense that having higher grade theory lesson (gr 6-8 ) would definitely help you to understand it better. But I can work that out upon your request.
Regarding grade.. Since you've already been preparing for 8 for some time, I would suggest you continue to pursue grade 8. You can save time and money. (Fyi, I did jump grade before.)
Do drop me an email to private_piano_tuitions@yahoo.com.sg
Regards,
Joseph
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[vogue]angel
New member
talentless and getting grade 6 distinction? come on, if ur talentless, u won't be getting grade 6 distinction. ur short of confidence. getting the ranting n abuse can make ppl depress.
these music teacher make me wonder what is going in their minds, is it all about treating it as a job or is it because they wanna "plant" that love for music in the minds of students
my piano teacher ( last time, now no more) would take the time to bring me to MPO ( Malaysian Philaharmonic Orchestra) to watch pianist perform. ask me to observe their facial expression n technique. she would plant the love of music in a student.
I once ask her, Am I a pain in the ass for her as her student ( I have crappy sight-reading skills n these can annoy many teachers). She say, i have met wif worst students than u and i still manage to teach them. She say her aim for each student is diff. But most importantly is, she would instill the love of music in each student. My teacher had a half-deaf student n tat did not stop her from teaching tat student.
Alas, these kind of teachers are a dying breed. It's like every tom, dick n harry wif a grade 8 or diploma are running to teach piano because it's good money.
so sad
these music teacher make me wonder what is going in their minds, is it all about treating it as a job or is it because they wanna "plant" that love for music in the minds of students
my piano teacher ( last time, now no more) would take the time to bring me to MPO ( Malaysian Philaharmonic Orchestra) to watch pianist perform. ask me to observe their facial expression n technique. she would plant the love of music in a student.
I once ask her, Am I a pain in the ass for her as her student ( I have crappy sight-reading skills n these can annoy many teachers). She say, i have met wif worst students than u and i still manage to teach them. She say her aim for each student is diff. But most importantly is, she would instill the love of music in each student. My teacher had a half-deaf student n tat did not stop her from teaching tat student.
Alas, these kind of teachers are a dying breed. It's like every tom, dick n harry wif a grade 8 or diploma are running to teach piano because it's good money.
so sad
Cheez
Moderator
Sounds like you had a good teacher. Dying breed indeed. It's a combination of teaching skills and actual passion for teaching. I guess it's the same in school as well. My son's form teacher isn't exactly what I would call a teacher at all... that's another story...
Actually, I thought pianomakris may fit the description. Kris, coming to Singapore and show the the piano teachers here what it means to really teach?
Actually, I thought pianomakris may fit the description. Kris, coming to Singapore and show the the piano teachers here what it means to really teach?
MissJainy
New member
Irrelevant post here.....but...i actually smacked my laptop screen...cus i thought there was a bug.
Turns out, it was your nickname thing...
piano_lessons
New member
True enough.
But from past experience, I have this teacher that cannot demo what he actually wants. IMO, especially for higher grade, you need to have teacher that really can play, not only NATO like mine. I was having hard time back then.
In this case, IMO a teacher which is also a regular performer definitely an advantage cos the teaching emphasis for higher level is different, more of music rather than teaching piano.
Cheez
Moderator
Actually, for higher grades, it doesn't a lot to "demo" how to play it. Anything within the ABRSM grades (1 to 8 is easily achievable. If the teacher cannot show anything up to grade 8, something is really wrong.
By the way, I feel (like pianomankris) that a person who is a grade 8 actually doesn't have the skills to teach. He must have at least a teaching diploma and above. And somebody who has that certification should be able to show anything up to the higher grades without problem, or something is wrong.
I agree. A teacher must be able to play. But the reverse is not necessary true either - ie a person who can play doesn't necessary mean he can teach. It's the marrying of both skills. Sadly, we have many "teachers" that falls wrong camp.
By the way, I feel (like pianomankris) that a person who is a grade 8 actually doesn't have the skills to teach. He must have at least a teaching diploma and above. And somebody who has that certification should be able to show anything up to the higher grades without problem, or something is wrong.
I agree. A teacher must be able to play. But the reverse is not necessary true either - ie a person who can play doesn't necessary mean he can teach. It's the marrying of both skills. Sadly, we have many "teachers" that falls wrong camp.
[vogue]angel
New member
well cheez, there are many ppl that think that if u have grade 8 then u can qualify to teach. ( Heck,wonder which person is the one that started this great idea.
As the saying goes, a person that can play doesnt mean he can teach. Same goes the other way.
yup, too many ppl that falls into wrong camp. Why do you think this happens? btw cheez, is there something like a piano teacher training college or not? or teaching piano is a like those self-help thing. U invent ur own method to teach........
As the saying goes, a person that can play doesnt mean he can teach. Same goes the other way.
yup, too many ppl that falls into wrong camp. Why do you think this happens? btw cheez, is there something like a piano teacher training college or not? or teaching piano is a like those self-help thing. U invent ur own method to teach........
Cheez
Moderator
There are a number of music teaching degrees and post-grads in universities (not paper-mills). I've checked out quite a few of them in the past - to qualify for acceptance, some kind of skills in teaching music/piano need to be demonstrated (often including a video of yourself teaching students one-on-one and/or in groups need to be submitted). Also, there's always diploma in teaching in ABRSM and equivalent.
pianomankris
New member
lol thanks for the compliment Cheez 
I'm actually coming to Singapore next week lol. But just to see about an apartment, and get drunk
This is crazy btw that people think they can teach piano when they reach grade 8 lol. Utterly ridiculous.
Not upping myself here, but I had my grade 8 when I was 11. does that mean I could have taught piano when I was 11? lol
That's a crazy attitude. When I was at music school, one of the audition pieces was a Chopin Scherzo. And that was just to get in - never mind actually getting a qualification!!
This is also a cultural thing, I think. In places such as Russia and Eastern Europe, being a teacher of piano is a highly respected and admired position to hold, and not a position you can get if you only have a silly little grade 8 certificate. If the 'grade 8 teacher' went to these places to try to teach, they would get laughed at.
Teaching diplomas are obviously good things to have, as they cover certain aspects of what is required from a teacher e.g. things to look out for - accuracy of rhythm, psychological aspects of the student actually understanding as opposed to 'copying', studies of anatomy, making the teacher aware of potential stress in the body (i.e. learning anatomy of the hand/arm etc etc, and studying things such as Alexander Technique, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, etc etc), how to inspire, how to positively criticise, repertoire familiarisation etc etc etc
Grade 8 doesn't even touch on these things. At all. At grade 8, all most people can do is play a few scales and a couple of pieces, and sight-read badly.
Sorry to any grade 8 folks reading this - but give yourself 10 or 15 years, and when you look back at the level you were at when at 'grade 8', you'll realise it was, at best, shoddy. If even as good as shoddy.
Cheez is correct in that a marrying of teaching and performing skills are necessary. Look at Yvgeny Kissin - his piano coach travels with him to every destination he visits, and helps him before every performance. And Kissin isn't exactly shabby when it comes to playing.
This is a tough issue, as experience also doesn't mean a better teacher. Many teachers become 'settled' in one method, and if a student doesn't learn 'their' way, then the teacher sees the student as incapable of learning piano. And that's not good. Someone who comes for lessons has the want to learn - simply by being there (that is, of course, if their parents aren't forcing them to be there lol) - so they should be encouraged in every way possible.
PS someone wrote in this thread that their teacher said 'i've seen worse' - that isn't encouragement. That's disgraceful, to be honest. A teacher should never compare students. The teacher should be saying something like 'you're far better than you were three months ago' - you should only ever be compared to yourself, if at all. If a teacher compares you to others, they are taking you down a dangerous path - one that can actually lead to deep psychological problems.
The problem seems to be that the focus is on music being a business. This is wrong from the onset, and will only last so long before it falls to pieces. Playing piano isn't about making money. It just happens that it can make some money for some.
PS if I had a pupil who wanted to reach grade 8 purely so that they could 'teach', i'd chuck them out the front door lol
Simple question people should ask themselves - why, if they want to teach piano, do they want to teach it?
I'm actually coming to Singapore next week lol. But just to see about an apartment, and get drunk
This is crazy btw that people think they can teach piano when they reach grade 8 lol. Utterly ridiculous.
Not upping myself here, but I had my grade 8 when I was 11. does that mean I could have taught piano when I was 11? lol
That's a crazy attitude. When I was at music school, one of the audition pieces was a Chopin Scherzo. And that was just to get in - never mind actually getting a qualification!!
This is also a cultural thing, I think. In places such as Russia and Eastern Europe, being a teacher of piano is a highly respected and admired position to hold, and not a position you can get if you only have a silly little grade 8 certificate. If the 'grade 8 teacher' went to these places to try to teach, they would get laughed at.
Teaching diplomas are obviously good things to have, as they cover certain aspects of what is required from a teacher e.g. things to look out for - accuracy of rhythm, psychological aspects of the student actually understanding as opposed to 'copying', studies of anatomy, making the teacher aware of potential stress in the body (i.e. learning anatomy of the hand/arm etc etc, and studying things such as Alexander Technique, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, etc etc), how to inspire, how to positively criticise, repertoire familiarisation etc etc etc
Grade 8 doesn't even touch on these things. At all. At grade 8, all most people can do is play a few scales and a couple of pieces, and sight-read badly.
Sorry to any grade 8 folks reading this - but give yourself 10 or 15 years, and when you look back at the level you were at when at 'grade 8', you'll realise it was, at best, shoddy. If even as good as shoddy.
Cheez is correct in that a marrying of teaching and performing skills are necessary. Look at Yvgeny Kissin - his piano coach travels with him to every destination he visits, and helps him before every performance. And Kissin isn't exactly shabby when it comes to playing.
This is a tough issue, as experience also doesn't mean a better teacher. Many teachers become 'settled' in one method, and if a student doesn't learn 'their' way, then the teacher sees the student as incapable of learning piano. And that's not good. Someone who comes for lessons has the want to learn - simply by being there (that is, of course, if their parents aren't forcing them to be there lol) - so they should be encouraged in every way possible.
PS someone wrote in this thread that their teacher said 'i've seen worse' - that isn't encouragement. That's disgraceful, to be honest. A teacher should never compare students. The teacher should be saying something like 'you're far better than you were three months ago' - you should only ever be compared to yourself, if at all. If a teacher compares you to others, they are taking you down a dangerous path - one that can actually lead to deep psychological problems.
The problem seems to be that the focus is on music being a business. This is wrong from the onset, and will only last so long before it falls to pieces. Playing piano isn't about making money. It just happens that it can make some money for some.
PS if I had a pupil who wanted to reach grade 8 purely so that they could 'teach', i'd chuck them out the front door lol
Simple question people should ask themselves - why, if they want to teach piano, do they want to teach it?
lester_music
New member
pf
New member
Its a cultural issue.
In Singapore, people do not think that music is an important aspect of life. Even though a lot of kids learn piano, but the parents do not actually want their kids to be a musician. More emphasis is placed on getting qualification most of the time.
Hence, the lesser amount of money spent on piano lessons, the better. And therefore, cheap teachers are in demand. Naturally, cheap teachers are those who are less qualified.
In Singapore, people do not think that music is an important aspect of life. Even though a lot of kids learn piano, but the parents do not actually want their kids to be a musician. More emphasis is placed on getting qualification most of the time.
Hence, the lesser amount of money spent on piano lessons, the better. And therefore, cheap teachers are in demand. Naturally, cheap teachers are those who are less qualified.
Cheez
Moderator
Actually, parents are quite willing to spend quite a bit of money on piano lessons nowadays. Parents may want the qualifications, but they also want their kids to get it fast - so the final grade 8 doesn't coincide with their PSLE or "O" Level exams (which is sad). In their minds, a good teacher can help to achieve that quickly.
I for one, is one of those "grade 8 pianists" who completed it 27 years ago. And now looking back on the days after I got my grade 8, I realised how lousy I was. Pianomankris wasn't kidding about grade 8 being able to play a few scales and sight-read badly. True, I was trying to play things out of my league during those days (like a crazy attempt at Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 in B minor and a few other Beethoven concertos), but now I see how really terrible a pianist I was. I'm still not there, but a little better 27 years later (or at least I hope I am...).
OT: I just watched a pleasantly hilarious Korean TV drama "Beethoven Virus". Because I used to be trumpeter (and a concert trumpeter wannabe when I was young), some parts of it appealed to me. And brings back some memories of crazy conductors. Highly recommended if you can find a VCD of it. About a crazy world-class conductor with terrible interpersonal skills and cannot stay with one orchestra for more than 6 months, an orchestra violin wannabe who ended up as the concert master then found out she's going deaf, a young trumpeter with no musical background training who found he got perfect pitch and musical score interpretation skill equivalent to Mozart, ending up conducting the orchestra; plus a few other hopeless musicians in different walks of life ending up playing in an orchestra. I believe it was the voted best drama in 2008. And of course, lots of classical musical scores. And the actors/actresses actually play musical instruments! Even though they couldn't, they were taught! A real orchestra pianist was acting a minor role. And of course, they had to perform 4'33" somewhere in it. Highly recommended - to stir up the music passion in you again!
I for one, is one of those "grade 8 pianists" who completed it 27 years ago. And now looking back on the days after I got my grade 8, I realised how lousy I was. Pianomankris wasn't kidding about grade 8 being able to play a few scales and sight-read badly. True, I was trying to play things out of my league during those days (like a crazy attempt at Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No 1 in B minor and a few other Beethoven concertos), but now I see how really terrible a pianist I was. I'm still not there, but a little better 27 years later (or at least I hope I am...
).OT: I just watched a pleasantly hilarious Korean TV drama "Beethoven Virus". Because I used to be trumpeter (and a concert trumpeter wannabe when I was young), some parts of it appealed to me. And brings back some memories of crazy conductors. Highly recommended if you can find a VCD of it. About a crazy world-class conductor with terrible interpersonal skills and cannot stay with one orchestra for more than 6 months, an orchestra violin wannabe who ended up as the concert master then found out she's going deaf, a young trumpeter with no musical background training who found he got perfect pitch and musical score interpretation skill equivalent to Mozart, ending up conducting the orchestra; plus a few other hopeless musicians in different walks of life ending up playing in an orchestra. I believe it was the voted best drama in 2008. And of course, lots of classical musical scores. And the actors/actresses actually play musical instruments! Even though they couldn't, they were taught! A real orchestra pianist was acting a minor role. And of course, they had to perform 4'33" somewhere in it. Highly recommended - to stir up the music passion in you again!
pf
New member
Could be. But when I asked my friends how they choose a teacher for their daughter, they just go to the music school in the neighbourhood with a time slot that is good for them.
But then again, my colleague is willing to fork out $260 for 4 lessons with very good teacher with weird temperament but all her students have good results in the ABRSM exams.
Oh I heard of that show. Sounds good. I thought its Japanese.
But then again, my colleague is willing to fork out $260 for 4 lessons with very good teacher with weird temperament but all her students have good results in the ABRSM exams.
Oh I heard of that show. Sounds good. I thought its Japanese.
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