I wrote this article because many parents tell me that they hope their child can learn up till Grade 8 Piano.
I know that the point above open up another realm of viewpoints. However, in this blog, I just want to focus on how parents can increase your child’s chance of achieving Grade 8 Piano. If you believe strongly in music education and you hope your child can reach the grade 8 level one day, then this article is for you. Over the years, these are just some of my observations that parents do and I hope that you will not make the same mistake!
Here are the 7 mistakes that might deter your child from piano learning.
1. You’re not thinking the right way
Some parents believe that the child will decide if they want to learn or practise the piano. They do not want to interfere the child's choices at all. If you are not concern if your child quit piano at any time, then that is fine. But if you are hoping your child can learn till grade 8 and if you are not guiding the child, then it becomes a paradox.
Imagine Grade 8 Piano is like taking the O Level Examination. From primary one, do you leave the child to completely decide whether they like to learn or practise the “subjects” as when they like? Of course not! No matter how good a child is, there would be moments of encouragements, guidance and motivation needed. Downfalls and struggles are real and they have to be managed. Most parents will naturally put in much attention or even money to O Level Training for the child because it is an important National Examination.
What you should do: If you use the same mentality as above to nurture your child’s piano education, the chance of your child completing grade 8 will be equally high. Don’t you think so?
I know that the point above open up another realm of viewpoints. However, in this blog, I just want to focus on how parents can increase your child’s chance of achieving Grade 8 Piano. If you believe strongly in music education and you hope your child can reach the grade 8 level one day, then this article is for you. Over the years, these are just some of my observations that parents do and I hope that you will not make the same mistake!
Here are the 7 mistakes that might deter your child from piano learning.
1. You’re not thinking the right way
Some parents believe that the child will decide if they want to learn or practise the piano. They do not want to interfere the child's choices at all. If you are not concern if your child quit piano at any time, then that is fine. But if you are hoping your child can learn till grade 8 and if you are not guiding the child, then it becomes a paradox.
Imagine Grade 8 Piano is like taking the O Level Examination. From primary one, do you leave the child to completely decide whether they like to learn or practise the “subjects” as when they like? Of course not! No matter how good a child is, there would be moments of encouragements, guidance and motivation needed. Downfalls and struggles are real and they have to be managed. Most parents will naturally put in much attention or even money to O Level Training for the child because it is an important National Examination.
What you should do: If you use the same mentality as above to nurture your child’s piano education, the chance of your child completing grade 8 will be equally high. Don’t you think so?
2. Being too concerned about perfection
Some parents expect the child to achieve distinctions for all grades. Some children are able to do it. Some children just can’t attain that level. However, not scoring distinctions does not equate to lack of interest in learning music. Most children are in fact happy to attend music lessons but without the stress of having to score distinction. Expecting distinctions when your child has tried his/her best may trigger the child to quit very easily.
What you should do: Focus on helping your child sustain consistent efforts and love for music.
Some parents expect the child to achieve distinctions for all grades. Some children are able to do it. Some children just can’t attain that level. However, not scoring distinctions does not equate to lack of interest in learning music. Most children are in fact happy to attend music lessons but without the stress of having to score distinction. Expecting distinctions when your child has tried his/her best may trigger the child to quit very easily.
What you should do: Focus on helping your child sustain consistent efforts and love for music.
3. Cannibalising your child’s music lesson time
Learning a skill requires commitment, in other words regular lessons. However, it seems many parents have no qualms taking away the piano music lesson time for academic reasons like tuitions, tests and examinations. If you are a parent who does this, you are also telling your child that the piano lesson is indeed secondary. If so, do you expect them to finish till grade 8 with erratic or selective lessons? Unless a child inherently likes piano, when the “commitment” is disassociated with the subject, it becomes an easy item to give up later in life, especially when they enter teens.
What you should do: Focus on helping your child understand commitment and time management by encouraging them to turn up for all piano lessons regularly, even when the schedule gets busy!
Learning a skill requires commitment, in other words regular lessons. However, it seems many parents have no qualms taking away the piano music lesson time for academic reasons like tuitions, tests and examinations. If you are a parent who does this, you are also telling your child that the piano lesson is indeed secondary. If so, do you expect them to finish till grade 8 with erratic or selective lessons? Unless a child inherently likes piano, when the “commitment” is disassociated with the subject, it becomes an easy item to give up later in life, especially when they enter teens.
What you should do: Focus on helping your child understand commitment and time management by encouraging them to turn up for all piano lessons regularly, even when the schedule gets busy!
4. Setting unrealistic expectations
There’s this trend now that students must achieve their grade 8 by 12 years old, so when they enter secondary school, they can either concentrate on academic learning or it can be used for DSA. The former reason always puzzles me because if one completes the certification by 12 years old and neglect the skill after that, I am sure the money is actually wasted in time to come as the skill regresses from no practice. For the latter reason, I believe there is a time and space for talented kids who deserve the DSA. If your kid is good in music, congratulations! If your kid is not up to it, just leave him/her to enjoy the natural pace of learning the piano. They can still reach grade 8 eventually at their own interest and pace, as proven by so many of my former students! The reality is that most average kids cannot achieve grade 8 by 12 years old. Piano playing at grade 8 is not as easy as ABC. Just as any marathon runner will tell you, you can’t expect to run 42k without the proper training and conditioning.
What you should do: Review the progress of your child and what is the next target to challenge twice a year.
There’s this trend now that students must achieve their grade 8 by 12 years old, so when they enter secondary school, they can either concentrate on academic learning or it can be used for DSA. The former reason always puzzles me because if one completes the certification by 12 years old and neglect the skill after that, I am sure the money is actually wasted in time to come as the skill regresses from no practice. For the latter reason, I believe there is a time and space for talented kids who deserve the DSA. If your kid is good in music, congratulations! If your kid is not up to it, just leave him/her to enjoy the natural pace of learning the piano. They can still reach grade 8 eventually at their own interest and pace, as proven by so many of my former students! The reality is that most average kids cannot achieve grade 8 by 12 years old. Piano playing at grade 8 is not as easy as ABC. Just as any marathon runner will tell you, you can’t expect to run 42k without the proper training and conditioning.
What you should do: Review the progress of your child and what is the next target to challenge twice a year.
5. Following others blindly
It can be incredibly tempting to listen to your peers and be influenced what other children are achieving.
What you should do: Understand what works for you and your child and how you can be successful in music learning. Everyone is unique.
It can be incredibly tempting to listen to your peers and be influenced what other children are achieving.
What you should do: Understand what works for you and your child and how you can be successful in music learning. Everyone is unique.
6. Losing sight for the long run
It is long known that learning the music when young for a period of time has a lot of benefits to our brain and social life. I am sure most parents want your child to learn the piano so that he/she has the advantage of these beneficial skills in the future.
What you should do: Keep the big idea of music education in view all the time as it helps one to make wiser choices along the way.
It is long known that learning the music when young for a period of time has a lot of benefits to our brain and social life. I am sure most parents want your child to learn the piano so that he/she has the advantage of these beneficial skills in the future.
What you should do: Keep the big idea of music education in view all the time as it helps one to make wiser choices along the way.
7. Spending time with the wrong teacher
The market is now flooded with piano teachers and choosing one can be difficult. To be honest, I have seen many piano teachers who can’t even play properly nor understand basic music concepts. Yet they have many young piano students. How do you expect someone who has limited piano knowledge to transfer the right skills? A wrong foundation is disastrous and could simply be the main reason for not making to grade 8 in the future.
What you should do: Do choose your teacher wisely. Paper qualification AND effective pedagogy are both important factors for consideration.
At FAMA, not only are the teachers certified in their instruments with at least a diploma or degree, the teachers will also have to go through an interview to discuss about pedagogy with me. For young teachers, they are often encouraged to sit it other teacher’s class or seek help from experienced teachers when necessary. This culture gives FAMA teachers much muscle to teach our students effectively and appropriately.
The market is now flooded with piano teachers and choosing one can be difficult. To be honest, I have seen many piano teachers who can’t even play properly nor understand basic music concepts. Yet they have many young piano students. How do you expect someone who has limited piano knowledge to transfer the right skills? A wrong foundation is disastrous and could simply be the main reason for not making to grade 8 in the future.
What you should do: Do choose your teacher wisely. Paper qualification AND effective pedagogy are both important factors for consideration.
At FAMA, not only are the teachers certified in their instruments with at least a diploma or degree, the teachers will also have to go through an interview to discuss about pedagogy with me. For young teachers, they are often encouraged to sit it other teacher’s class or seek help from experienced teachers when necessary. This culture gives FAMA teachers much muscle to teach our students effectively and appropriately.
