Piano Lessons

Posted by H (1845 days ago)

My daughter is 4. I am thinking about starting her on piano lessons. A few teachers my friends recommended are all Mandarin speaking. Does anyone know a good English speaking teacher?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Tags instruction, lessons, music, teachers, tutors, piano

Posted by Alfonso (1387 days ago)

I might have some info for you later. By the way, is it possible to have the contacts of those Mandarin teachers?
alfonsolee@yahoo.com

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by chillifontain (179 days ago)

Visit this. www.grandpiano.hk English speaking teachers available.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by number7 (178 days ago)

Brian Bartle is really good, his no. is 9757 1470/2857 9663.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by frenchfries (175 days ago)

number7,

does brian bartle teach kids only? or adults also? does he go to homes to teach?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by frenchfries (166 days ago)

sent an email enquiry to www.grandpiano.hk last week, but no reply! there is no telephone number on the website either. i wonder if they are professional at all.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (166 days ago)

frenchfries,

I am a piano teacher of over 20 years from Canada. I have studios in Clearwater Bay, and in Kowloon. 30 minutes no-obligation interview is required, and there is a waiting list. No home visits as I teach on grand pianos, and I need my books, cds, teaching aids... and students are NEVER focused if at home having the piano lessons. If you are still interested, pm me.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by joshmomm (165 days ago)

Hi Katetam, can you please advise when would be a good age to start piano lessons? Is 3yo too early? My son has expressed interest in learning and he's always playing (a make-believe piano) to music! :)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by chillifontain (165 days ago)

For www.grandpiano.hk, you can contact angelababe@gmail.com directly as this is a new website and there may be a problem with the emails. Sorry about that.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by chillifontain (165 days ago)

Hi Joshmomm, my youngest student is 9 months old. I usually just play different kinds of pieces to her and now she is 2 years old. She started coming up to me to play piano with me! I have a student who is 3, he is brilliant and now , he will take Grade 1 exam the coming Nov. while i have another student who is also 3, but he is more active, he loves music but he likes to play piano depends on his mood. So I usually just teach his mum and when he feels like it, he will come to learn too. This may be an approach to arous his interest ?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (164 days ago)

not to offend chillifontain, but to answer joshmomm's question, yes, I do think 3 years old is a little early for private piano lessons.

"Music appreciation" can begin as early as when the baby is still inside the pregnant mother. However, as a piano/music educator, in professional terms, I do not refer these as "piano lessons".

Good piano lessons are professionally planned, formal, of high standard, and academic oriented. (It doesn't mean it's not fun though!)

All of my students have clear and definite goals, as well as a learned method of how to practice, and my number one priority is to teach the student to appreciate the true enjoyment of playing the piano. All students should be motivated to go to the piano on their own.


Why I say 3 years old is too young. Simple.... because their physical development simply isn't ready for playing the acoustic piano and no three year olds should be asked to sit for 30 minutes one to one. Anything less than 30 minutes at the piano is pointless for any parent's efforts.

You can play around on toy pianos, or keyboards. However, for the traditional pianos that I teach on (I teach on grand pianos).... I will not take any students younger than 4 years old. Firstly, they haven't developed their physical readiness (their 5 fingers can't even spread to the 5 keys !).... and too early to force this on will result possible injuries, or non-healthy development in their hands, and motor skills. I encourage all 4 year olds who are well developed in fine motor skills to set an interview with an experienced piano teacher to see whether pianos lessons are suited or not. (i.e. if your 4 year old can hold a pencil, or feeds himself/herself easily with utensils, picks up small items easily with fingers, and has strength in his/her grip...)

Prior to this, I highly advise parents to take their children to group lessons like those that are offered by kindermusik, My musikbox, tom lee.... all are great for toddlers, and preschoolers to be exposed to "musical" environment without straining their physical "non-readiness".

My daughter is 4 and half years old, I can say, just NOW... she has finally developed enough strength, and spread to play beginner pieces on the piano. Prior to this, we have been doing Yamaha, My Musikbox, singing, dancing... and playing with little rhythmic instruments.

In our generation, 5 year old would be the age to start private music lessons on any instrument... but nowadays.... kids start earlier in everything. Especially in Hong Kong !

just my opinion.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (147 days ago)

We decided after the first 2 private piano lessons (4 years of age) we would hold off until he was older. Then we started again at 4 1/2. He still retained that love for music and the piano.

However even though my son has advance fine/gross motor dexterity he would lose concentration after 20mins. Sight reading at this age is really hard work! I just don't have the heart to tell my son that I want him to stop and then start gain when he was 5. He is really loving it so I will just keep those private lessons going.

I totally agree with katetam. My son is 4 1/2 and there is just so much more in fine motor skills, hand eye co-ordination and the ability to follow instructions than when we first attempted to have private music lessons at nearly 4 years of age. But ideally 5 would of been better.

It is just sad to see children forced into situations that they are physically, emotionally and psychologically not ready for.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (146 days ago)

Good decision Amanda Le. It's always so sad to see children who had "bad" experience with piano lessons and parents too.... conclude that PIANO is just NOT for them for LIFE !!! It's all just the method of learning, attitude, pace, and realistic expectations for the child. EVERY child deserves and can be a talent at music playing... it might not be the piano, it can be violin, it can be flute, clarinet, cello... etc.

I believe every child should have an opportunity at trying ONE instrument or even two in their lifetime before they reach 10 years old. You NEVER know what hidden potential your child holds. It's not about achievement... it's about making music, and enjoying making music, as we grow older, with adult responsibilities, even with the hopes to doing so, as a adult, it is just more difficult.

Hope all children gets to play MUSIC !!!!

Amanda- piano lessons at age of 4 shouldn't be about sight reading all the time. You can try to get piano lessons for your son with playing, singing, and a lot of pattern learning, and improvising. The Sight reading (learning how to read notes) actually will fall into place, and then you can train formally once the child is familiar with the sounds and pitch of the piano and how his fingers coordinate !

Good luck !

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (146 days ago)

thank you!So far so good! My son would often stand up and clap to the beats of the bar. He does get a bit excited and often swings his feet which hits the piano! I think he would not go to music lesson if it was all sight reading. I am thinking of an additional music class where he can play, sing and even dance. Do you recommend any on HK island?

thank you in advance, Katetam.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (146 days ago)

My kids loved My Musikbox. (Causeway Bay)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (146 days ago)

Katetam, I just looked at their website. There is 2 courses available. The musikharmony I and musikpiano. Both sounds good and I would not mind the 2 for my son but timewise we just can't do both. Which would you recommend considering my son already has the more traditional theory and practice with his current private piano teacher?

Thanks again :)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (146 days ago)

Musikharmony. I think Musikpiano would be too easy.

Best to contact them directly, bring your son in to see whether he likes the colour surroundings, and let the reception know where your son is at, and what you like him to experience, they will advise their best suitable courses. Often they have new courses coming up too.

I go to the Kowloon one, different available courses.

I plan to start my daughter on their violin programme... but only available in CB.

Good luck.

The other course I strongly recommend is Yamaha course. However, does your son understand cantonese ? It's a wonderful course, but it's in Chinese language.
The waiting list is 1 year before... now Megabox opened, alot shorter waiting time.

My daughter LOVES it, and as a piano teacher of this many years, I am very impressed with this course. I attend it with her every week at Megabox.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (145 days ago)

Katetam are you attending courses at hung hom? I used to work next door and see children everywhere. A few of my students also attended their classes. They all enjoy it so that is a good sign.

The yamaha course is also suitable as my son understand and speaks Cantonese. The part that concerns me is that the course is 2 years and we plan to be back in Aust in about a year. I do not know if one can transfer to continue on at the same level when back home. I emailed them about 3 days ago but they haven't responded yet. I will call the western district branch(HKisland?) and hopefully not such a long waiting list.

Violin is another option too but I am waiting for my son to be 5 years or older because knowing him he would be swinging the violin about.

thank you so much. your advice is great!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Katetam (145 days ago)

Yamaha course is 2 years programme, however, payment is by monthly, and the pace and material of the course in my opinion, EVERY child can benefit from it even if you took it for just 1 month. So if you can get into the JMC course that is right age for him, even just 1 year, you would benefit alot from it.

I highly recommend it.

Yes, we attend the My Musikbox in Hung Hom. (You teach at Star Gallery?)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (145 days ago)

Star gallery is next door to Amazing Language. AL is where I worked. . I originally was taking my son there to the playgroups then a year ago I ended being the english teacher and playgroup leader. I just resigned a fortnight ago. I still take my son to the french playgroup so if your around at 4-5pm wed we can meet up :)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (27 days ago)

Hi there, I'm a Music Therapist, Yamaha Licensed teacher and Kindermusik educator from Melbourne, moving to hk Midlevels in September.
I specialise in teaching young children using the Yamaha method and i incorporate the method into my teaching for older children if they were already trained in the method, or if they are beginning students. Generally i use a variety of methods depending on the child's strengths. Some are visual learners, others learn by ear.
I enjoy teaching adults to improvise (only if they can spare the time for regular practice).
Please get in touch with me at cheaulyn@gmail.com for more details.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (27 days ago)

Can you please tell me what is a music therapist?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (26 days ago)

A Music Therapist uses music to achieve non-musical goals such as speech development, development of gross/fine motor movement skills, facilitation of orientation and mobility, social skills, self-esteem... for various populations across a number of environments, eg. children in hospital, children with disabilities, aged care, palliative care, special schools... I think i did well to give a concise definition without writing a whole essay!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (26 days ago)

Amanda, I just read your previous post about transferring to a Yamaha course when back in Aust. Yes, you can do that. Where in Aust are you going to be? If Melbourne, I could recommend you some Yamaha teachers that teach privately so that your child will be able to continue on the same system even if he does private lessons.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (26 days ago)

thanks for the definition.

yes, we will be back in Melbourne. We are still on the waiting list for the yamaha class in HK. My son is currently doing more music appreciation than music lessons. We did a few months of the more traditional music lessons but noticed my son's weakness in rhythm so we lightened the load. He has progressed since the change of class and has more understanding of pitch, tone and beats. I think when he turns 5, I will reintroduce the traditional class again in addition to music appreciation class. He caught on the notes, duration and the postioning on the music staff so hopefully this time round more success in playing on the piano.

But please, forward details of your contacts. I would greatly appreciate it. Better to book earlier than later.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (25 days ago)

The Yamaha Aus website is www.yamahamusic.com.au then click on the education section.
For private teachers, depends on which suburb you're going to be in...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Amanda Le (25 days ago)

could you give me contacts for Yarraville and North Carlton? TIA

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (24 days ago)

hi amanda i've sent you a private message.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by divacc (24 days ago)

You may try Little School of Music. They specialize in early childhood music education and classes are taught in English.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Whitemischief (22 days ago)

Try David Knowles, good with kids and adults. Also will travel to and teach in you home. He has excellent references and has been teaching in HKG for many years. You can reah him on 66020167.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by nancypoon71 (22 days ago)

Find Ms. Leung - a very good musican - teach Piano and Chinese instructment to kids in Hong Kong indeed, she has experiences in performances as well - You may reach her by email - loy930@yahoo.com.hk and ask her.

Also she will travel and teach you at home in HK.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by SoundsFun (21 days ago)

Oops I forgot to mention that I can teach in English, Cantonese or Mandarin, or any combination of those!

(I am based in Hong Kong)