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Original poster

anyone a Piano or music teacher ?

92 replies

Beetroot · 16/02/2006 17:36

?

OP posts:
Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 09:10

apparenly his sight reading is notup to scratch. but this is not my expierience.

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bobbybobbobbingalong · 17/02/2006 10:06

Forget the exam thing for now, and get him playing some more pieces to his teacher. Honestly if he has only prepared 2 pieces in 6 months for his teacher is not ready to take grade 3 (not that this is his fault I hastily add).

Get him the new book - or the appropriate Elissa Milne Little Peppers book and get him playing some stuff and preparing it to a high standard.

Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 10:12

bbb, i promise you he is ready for grade 3. he is sigt reading grade 5 at home.

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tortoiseshell · 17/02/2006 10:14

Definitely go and talk to the piano teacher beetroot - at this stage it's really important that they feel encouraged. I wonder if the teacher has some reason for not doing the Grade 3 stuff - maybe the teacher wants scales learnt first or something. Or might the teacher be aiming to miss out Grade 3 and go straight on to Grade 4?

It certainly sounds like you need to chat to the teacher and possibly change teacher if your ds really doesn't click with them. At Grade2/3 I don't think there's any benefit in playing Minuet in G for months on end!!!!

Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 10:16

yes perhaps.TS.

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Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 11:34

and just want to say he has ben at the piano all monring working his way though a grade two equiv book.

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bobbybobbobbingalong · 17/02/2006 18:06

But my point is that he is not polishing any of these pieces to an exam standard for the teacher - so in a way I can see why he is resisting entry.

However it is the teacher's fault that this isn't happening.

You can always enter him yourself you know!

Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 18:09

bbb, yes I can see what you mean. He has alwasys been able to do this before, well he took his gra de 1 and 2 and got merits.

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bobbybobbobbingalong · 17/02/2006 18:17

Seriously - get the book and enter him yourself, it isn't rocket science and it doesn't sound like the teacher would be much help to you.

Only thing is he may not get a merit, but if you can live with that...

fob · 17/02/2006 19:59

Beets - how did it go with the teacher?

Was thinking about your ds3 and putting it in perspective, reaching grade 3 is very good for his age.

Maybe teacher is concerned about technique? There is quite a jump between the scales of grade 2 and 3.

Here in Scotland you can sit a Standard Grade in Music (GCSE) at grade 3.

It's very important to set good technique early on so maybe thats a reason why they seem to be holding him on the bach n that.

That said - he does need variety in his repetoire to keep the interest in the instrument going or he'll just switch off and that will be the teachers fault!

Just food for thought!

Loved the Jake pictures - yum!

Original poster
Beetroot · 17/02/2006 20:24

thanks fob, yes the teaher is obsessed ith technique. to the extent of tedium. DS1 never seemed to go threough this..

but yes perhasp you are right, he needs to knuckle down with his technique..but also to increase his repetoire.

even to give him sight reading from different places rather than grade one sight reading which is tedious and simple and boring

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fob · 17/02/2006 23:52

absolutely - sight reading tests are not really enjoyable repetoire!
let's not forget music is to be enjoyed!

i just came across the pictures of your boys - super cute! I hope my wee fella turns out just as cute - he seems to be going that way!

Original poster
Beetroot · 18/02/2006 09:41

thanks fob. there are thre of them around somewhere and my dd to!

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Original poster
Beetroot · 18/02/2006 16:09

bbbb, i have oredered tat book for ds. thanks

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CarolinaMoon · 18/02/2006 17:20

Beetroot, are you going to change teachers at easter? if you and your ds aren't clicking with this teacher's approach, I would deffo change (based on my own experience as a child - I had years of lessons with an old woman who had a policy of not entering pupils for exams at all. Incredibly demotivating and a total waste of time. I've no idea why my parents put up with it for so long).

bobbybobbobbingalong · 18/02/2006 17:51

Oh, good I hope he enjoys it.

Original poster
Beetroot · 18/02/2006 18:12

carolina, yes am changing as soon as.

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Bunglie · 18/02/2006 18:18

Hi Beety!
As you know I am Flautist, teacher extrordinaire, I just can't spell and I agree with all that has been said....so there! Bunglie has spoke!!
While I have your attention Mrs Beetroot did you ever watch that DVD and how is the house hunting going as I have seen a perfect house for you down here, there is so much mud around it you would need your posh green wellies just to get to the front door...thought of you as soon as I saw it...will talk on MSN soon
Bunglie XX

Original poster
Beetroot · 18/02/2006 18:26

dvd will be watcherd this week. forgot I had it until two days ago

HOse move in 3 weeks. Just exchanged.

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Original poster
Beetroot · 22/02/2006 16:28

I went to his lesson today. Teacher is a miserable git. spent lesson saying 'see, he hasn't got this right' etc. ds said at one point 'ihave been practsing this bit with both hands' and he said 'well that is not difficult'

mentioned to him thatds responded well to praise!

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RTKangaMummy · 22/02/2006 16:54

That is truely horrible

I hope you get a better teacher soon

roisin · 22/02/2006 17:15

Can he go back to his old teacher Beetroot?
In your first post you mentioned 'wait until Easter' - Does that mean he can have a different teacher at Easter?
Either way I would not want him to have any more lessons with this chap - I can't see him having any positive effect at all.

Original poster
Beetroot · 22/02/2006 17:17

hecannot go back to old teacher. she is too far away. There are only 5 more weeks so I think we will ahve to suffer it. I have asked him to tell ds if he gets a silver or gold star after each lesson. as a way of giving ds an incentive to practice but also to actually get him to give ds some praise.

I will now go back to head of music and tellher al lthis as well

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RTKangaMummy · 22/02/2006 17:20

Poor DS

Do you have any friends who can recommend a diff teacher for him

RTKangaMummy · 22/02/2006 17:21

You are not in kent or south london are you beety?

My sis teaches piano at home