Question 1

Are we the right teacher-student match?

Accepted Answer

This is a perennially important question to ask yourself before engaging any teacher. It is essential that both the student and teacher are the right fit for each other before progress and enjoyment can be cultivated moving forward. The reality is, not every student is suitable for each teacher. The same concept applies vice versa.

So you can get to know me better, here is a general outline of my pedagogy and requirements:

- I am thorough on establishing a student's music foundation because I believe it is more effective to "teach a man to fish", rather than "give the man a fish". I emphasize on both practical and theory.

- I require my students and the parents involved to be serious and committal. Turning up for regular lessons is the key to progress and betterment of the craft. This not only applies to piano but for any endeavour out there - school, your job, etc. Please eschew from harbouring unrealistic expectations that you are able to play fantastically without putting in the effort and time to practise and attend lessons regularly. Rome is not built in a day. 
 
- While I teach students whose aim is to play for leisure (i.e. a non-exam route), I do not teach learners who have the mindset piano is "for fun" and can be taken lightly. There needs to be a certain level of discipline and diligence involved for any form of achievement to be visible.

Question 2

Where are your piano lessons conducted?

Accepted Answer

Piano lessons are at my piano studio located at Dakota / Geylang.

Question 3

Do you travel to teach?

Accepted Answer

Due to family commitments, I now mostly teach at my studio located at Dakota / Geylang.

However, I do travel over to the student's place provided the location is nearby (within 2km), subject to further discussion and discretion.

Question 4

How long does each piano lesson last?

Accepted Answer

The duration of each lesson is between 45 - 60 minutes, depending on the student's age and grade.

Question 5

Do I need a piano if I take up lessons?

Accepted Answer

Having a piano at home would allow the learner greater accessibility and convenience to practise the assignments I give in class. In addition, the pace of progression is definitely faster and higher compared to a student that comes to my studio to review and practise.

However, I understand investing in a piano is a significant decision for many prospective learners, especially for parents. It is a heavy investment, indeed. If the child decides to drop piano midway, there is an undeniable fear that this gamble would result in not just a waste of hard-earned money, but also compounded with the headache of an additional white elephant that occupies a huge chunk of precious space in the house.

That stated, I do exercise flexibility of having the learner practise at my home studio on the condition that these expectations are managed:

1. A much slower and lower progress.
Playing the piano - or perhaps any craft or subject in the world - requires muscle memory from both the brain and the fingers. The memory is strengthened through consistent repetition that takes place gradually over time. Without the access of a piano at home, the student would have to wait till my lesson for a chance to review and recap what transpired in the previous lesson. On the bigger picture, it would take longer for the student to possess a secured delivery of the craft in terms of technique and knowledge.

2. The opportunity cost of in-class activities is high.
Because I see you / or your child once weekly, unlike school where it is more frequent, each in-contact session is precious. If the only time to practise and revise the pieces are during my lessons, it then would have to be done this way. This means we may have lesser time to move on to other activities and explore more pieces faster. Being a strict teacher who cares about each and every of my student's progress, I display a strong reluctance to move past the assignments unless the learner demonstrates he/she has acquired the necessary skill sets and is able to perform the assigned songs generally fluently and accurately. Would you be allowed to move up a level or take on more workload if you are unable to handle what is currently occupying your bandwidth? The logic I operate on is the same.

Question 6

Would an electronic keyboard / digital piano do?

Accepted Answer

I am a permanent advocate of an acoustic piano compared to a digital piano. Whether your goal is to take graded examinations or learning for leisure, my advise would be to invest in an acoustic piano at home. If you still do decide to go for a digital piano instead, take note that it has to contain 88 touch-sensitive, weighted keys; not those models where volume is adjusted with a slider or a knob! The digital piano must be equipped with facilities that parallel those of a conventional acoustic piano, including pedals where needed.

Please take note that a digital piano presents a viable option for beginners or those learning the lower grades. For higher grades, I still recommend developing your piano technique with an acoustic piano and using this to present your pieces for recognized examinations.

In short, it is absolutely essential that you / your child possess an instrument to practise and reinforce the concepts communicated during lessons so they are able to achieve what I have set in my instructions. A digital piano will not be my best recommendation, but it certainly remains a better choice than being without a piano.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are we the right teacher-student match?

Where are your piano lessons conducted?

Do you travel to teach?

How long does each piano lesson last?

Do I need a piano if I take up lessons?

Would an electronic keyboard / digital piano do?