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Original poster

anyone a Piano or music teacher ?

92 replies

Beetroot · 16/02/2006 17:36

?

OP posts:
Faith8 · 22/02/2006 17:25

I teach piano and in my experience a pupil (not just a child) can become bored with a piece and also, as different genre's of pieces require different techniques, some people can struggle with a certain piece at e.g. Grade 3, yet can play a Grade 5 piece with ease. Is it possible for your son to change his choice of pieces?

snailspace · 22/02/2006 17:26

Message withdrawn

bobbybobbobbingalong · 22/02/2006 17:34

He sounds dreadful - the school should get rid of him.

I had a flute teacher that used to say 'that is reasonable', and that was his biggest compliment. My dad and I used to laugh about it, and he was an amazing teacher in other ways, but just not a bubbly man. You have to be a lot better than Grade 3 to cope with this sort of teaching - it doesn't work at all before grade 8 has been passed (with another teacher, because this sort of teacher will never enter pupils)IME.

I would never be so negative in front of the parent (or ever in fact). Maybe that's because as a private teacher putting food on the table means I have to retain pupils, whereas this guy gets paid and a constant stream of kids however miserable he is. Or maybe it's because my last teacher was wonderfully enthusiastic and used to support and praise her pupils (it was a bit of a cliche though). But by then it was too late for me to believe in myself.

Original poster
Beetroot · 22/02/2006 17:41

i havbe requested another teacher and been honest about what i think of him

Kanga, no somerset.

I really canot think of anything else to do. There is not anther teahcer in school available so I willhave to wait it out.

However i will email again and this time go to the top.

This teacher does not normally teach little ones. I think my ds is one of the only ones. He usually teaches year 7 and above

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Original poster
Beetroot · 22/02/2006 17:41

ds said he was beign nice today as I was there!!!!

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RTKangaMummy · 22/02/2006 17:44

That was being NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bobbybobbobbingalong · 22/02/2006 17:44

Yes, I think teaching littlies is a skill some teacher's don't have. He wouldn't have a clue really about whether someone was ready for Grade 3 then, would he?

Original poster
Beetroot · 22/02/2006 17:46

he said we always get distinctions and he is no where near ready to even look at grade 3. Must do grade 3 with the older ones I guess

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bobbybobbobbingalong · 23/02/2006 02:02

Does the guy not realise that getting a pass may be more important to some children than endlessly playing the same piece over and over? I have students who will never get a distinction in anything - but are thrilled to bits with their pass.

He sounds like a loon.

Original poster
Beetroot · 23/02/2006 07:59

bbbb, i know, although ds3 'should' get a distinction. He is very capable and I guess this teacher sees this, although does not know how to encounrage him and motivatge him.

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roisin · 23/02/2006 08:21

Do you know Bobbybob - or anyone - what % of entrants get fail, pass, merit, distinction?

I never got distinction in anything, but was quite satisfied with my merits and passes

SueW · 23/02/2006 09:17

Average mark is 117 but I couldn't find an answer about how many for each pass level on ABRSM website.

My friend's daughter's piano teacher apparently never puts anyone in unless she is sure they will get a distinction. Personally I think that's a bit short-sighted since none of us knows how we will perform at any test on any given day under pressure.

snailspace · 23/02/2006 12:06

Message withdrawn

roisin · 23/02/2006 12:17

Fantastic - thanks Snailspace!
So on the basis of those figures, how can a teacher possibly justify not entering a candidate because they may not get a distinction?

roisin · 23/02/2006 12:21

Fantastic - thanks Snailspace!
So on the basis of those figures, how can a teacher possibly justify not entering a candidate because they may not get a distinction?

Distinctions 11%-18% of candidates only (except grade 8 which has 26%)

roisin · 23/02/2006 12:22

Fantastic - thanks Snailspace!
So on the basis of those figures, how can a teacher possibly justify not entering a candidate because they may not get a distinction?

Distinctions 11%-18% of candidates only (except grade 8 which has 26%)

snailspace · 23/02/2006 13:09

Message withdrawn

bobbybobbobbingalong · 23/02/2006 17:44

I never got a single distinction myself - maybe that's why I don't care. I do have a proviso that all the elements of the exam must be at least a pass standard - ie I won't enter if scales and aural are crap - as that could drag their merit pieces down to a depressing level.

snailspace · 23/02/2006 17:54

Message withdrawn

SueW · 23/02/2006 19:44

Did you see the diploma figures - scary.

DD's piano teacher had her do a mock exam with someone she didn't know and they are doing 'mocks' for violin this term too. If DD had had to play her pieces any longer she would have died of boredom I think - her teacher's thinking is like some on here that after too long boredom sets in and the pieces become wooden.

Celia2 · 23/02/2006 22:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bobbybobbobbingalong · 24/02/2006 00:39

Listen to the teacher - I am not averse to cutting out the expense of exams if it's in the interest of the student.

Maybe he could play a concert in a old peoples home instead - no exam, but still concert practise and the oldies would love it.

Original poster
Beetroot · 24/02/2006 12:38

Yes, if the teacher thinks he can do it then let him do it.

ds1 is doing percussion exams and jumped in a grade 2 and now grade four 6 months later.

they don't need to do all the grades

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Celia2 · 24/02/2006 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Beetroot · 24/02/2006 14:29

find a stroke club!

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