Grade 2 piano dilemma

[bumbez]

Dd aged 9 has been learning piano for 2 years now and has for the past few months been working towards grade 2.

Just before Christmas she broke down in tears at her lesson saying she didn't want to do the exam, that day was the deadline so it was decided to leave it for the time being. That night she became really unwell ( flu) so the tears earlier were probably to do with that.

We had a lovely Christmas and and she barely practiced - I never really nag her and was wondering if she should even continue to have lessons.

She had a lesson yesterday and I expected her to be really rusty but she wasn't, it also transpired that she can still do the exam if she wants in March. She immediately said no thanks, but I sort of cajoled her into it by saying its a shame all the work she's put into learning her pieces and how she would get a certificate in assembly ect. So she has agreed.

Part of me thinks exams are part of life and I'm right to gently coax her into going for it but I don't want her to feel pressured or upset wwyd?

[Bumbez]

Thanks for the replies, it has taught dd a valuable lesson in that she really put in the effort and deserved to pass well. I was gob smacked when she skipped out after the exam positively beaming she has decided though to leave grade 3 for a bit and play for fun.

fergusson she does enjoy her lessons if she didn't I'd quite happily let her stop - they are expensive ! I didn't get lessons when I was young because we were too poor so you are right in one sence that is why I find the money for her lessons, but its certainly not an ego trip.

maree good idea she has already played in front of the whole school - made a few mistakes but nobody noticed which really helped her confidence.

dinosaur what a lovely story, :)

[Ferguson]

Hi again -

Yes, many parents have to prioritize or make sacrifices to benefit their children. As a TA (male) for ten years in an infant school I taught recorder to Yr2 beginners, also coached percussion players to accompany the Christmas 'production'.

Remember a music student does NOT have to go through every Grade, but can skip a few and pick up at a higher one, though of course that may make it seem more difficult. Also, depending on how much practice is done, and how much understanding of theory and innate ability a child has, a lesson every week may not be necessary, so fortnightly, and later still, maybe monthly as a child gets older, can be enough.

There are also various tutor BOOKS that enable students to progress on their own to some extent, and music other than Classical can be tackled that way. I am a great fan of violinist Nicola Benedetti, a real inspiration, who campaigns for music education, besides playing all over the world. She has a good website, and I also 'follow' her on Twitter.

As DD is 9, she is getting towards being old and mature enough to 'pace' her learning to reach whatever standard she hopes to reach. It does require effort, but it should not become a chore. And LISTENING to famous pianists, Lang Lang, for example, is a great benefit, and nowadays most music (good and bad!) is available via YouTube.

If I can be of further help, PM me if you wish.

DD - GOOD LUCK!

[Bumbez]

Thanks ferguson - I hadn't thought of alternate weeks lessons - something to bear in mind. :) off to google Lang Lang !

[zipzap]

I was forced into doing lessons from age 7 or so - had a very old fashioned teacher who was very much into doing exams and so didn't have a choice. Lessons were on a saturday morning so I missed Saturday Morning Swap Shop which was also a big deal at the time.

The teacher was a friend of my mum's who was teaching me as a favour - she usually only taught students that were Grade 5 and above (ie proven and keen ) and also that much older and more mature - she wasn't used to dealing with younger kids. All my books and pieces were serious, and she made the whole thing a complete bore.

My sis (year younger) was very jealous that she wasn't doing the lessons - and started with someone else that mum knew, who made it much more fun, had books that had cartoons in and silly jolly songs, and she progressed much more quickly than I did. However, mum eventually transferred her to the same teacher and we used to have a joint double lesson with her on a saturday morning so it took even longer out of the day. [arrrgghhh] and one would play while the other did theory and then switch over. And sis's progress once it was no longer fun for her slowed down too.

In comparison, dh was youngest of 6. Eldest 2 played violin - very well. Then next played ok but not that keen, the next was very keen but very bad - her parents had to bribe her to stop lessons! Next one wasn't keen at all and neither were her parents after experience of bad player, so by the time he got to dh, it was never an option.

Now he's in his 40s and really feels he has missed out and so is doing piano and violin lessons, and really enjoying them. But I'm quite happy not to join in - the early music lessons killed it for me, I really do not want to sit at the piano again or go through the grief of music lessons again. DH had also got ds1 playing violin - but lesson times didn't work out and so he did it from 5-7. He hasn't done lessons since september and I really dont' think he misses it either - I certainly don't miss the hassle of getting there or worse - trying to persuade him to practise.

I also have some cousins that had very musical parents - they all learnt the piano, violin and a wind instrument from an early age and for the most part have enjoyed it, although they didn't all get to grade 8 in every instrument. Difference was I think their teachers - all young and into all sorts of music, made it fun and interesting and relevant. And that worked!

[zipzap]

Oh and OP - meant to say - well done to your dd!

[Bumbez]

Thankyou zipzap :)

Dds teacher is lovely and whilst I wouldn't call dd musically talented she is the sort of child that is very easy to teach iyswim.

Ferguson I googled Lang Lang at his fathers treatment of him!