Beginner/Intermediate/Advance = Grade?

Saw this classification somewhere, which is a rough gauge of the piano repertoire for different levels. Just putting here for my future reference, and for the ease of choosing books...
1.Beginner
2.Late Beginner
3.Early Intermediate
4.Intermediate
5.Late Intermediate
6.Early Advance
7.Advance
8.Expert

Perfect Score of 100!

My previous teacher messaged me last night! And she had received my ABRSM Grade 2 Music Theory exams results. Hurray! I scored a perfect score of 100! Full marks! And yes, is a Distinction! Haha, I seldom score full marks during my mock exams. Sure to have mistakes here and there, so actually I am very surprise to that I can actually get perfect score. I was like, are you sure no mistakes?

Ok, I am an adult, so what is the BIG deal? But I am still very happy with my results! Haha, and I think this will be the only time I can ever score full marks for my music exams, so let me boast a bit! As I move on to higher grades, it will get more and more difficult, so I would be happy to pass at my first attempt subsequently...

Continue to enjoy my music learning journey...

Progress Report...

I will be taking my Grade 2 Practical exams this coming September. So, another 3 months plus. Have learnt my 3 exam pieces and still touching up on the little details of the pieces. And need to practice enough such that even with the exam stress, I can still perform reasonably well. Sight-reading is still an area that I need to work on. Scales are ok, need to practice more. Aural, tried a few exercises, so far ok, but my teacher comment that I am too slow in realising if the piece played is 2 beats or 3 beats, though I ultimately got it right. So, on the whole, I feel that I should be ok by the time my exams is here. But definitely need to find more time to practice!!!

I have move on to "A Dozen A Day Book 2", continuing my "Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 2" and have started on my Grade 3 Theory. Grade 3 Theory is still ok at the moment, but I can feel that it is getting more and more complicated. Especially with more sharps and flats. Really wonder how the little kids can manage to understand these at such a tender age. Is that the reason why usually kids can advance very well in terms of practical, but lags behind when it comes to theory? But for adults, it becomes the other way round?

Glad that I am still making progress even with my baby and work. But definitely is at a much slower pace than before.

Suddenly have the thought that I may want to become a piano teacher one day as my retirement job. Something that I enjoy and yet not too stressful, as I can choose to teach how many students (Haha, provided I have students in the first place...). And at the same time, earn a little money to cover my old age expenses.

My baby girl plays on my Hailun

Took a few pictures while my baby girl played on my Hailun...enjoy! =)
Reading the scores....


Start her "performance"...


Striking the keys with strength...


And even crossing over her hands....

17th Singapore International Piano Festival

The 17th Singapore International Piano Festival is coming performed by professional concert pianists. I will be there!

Venue: Victoria Concert Hall (VCH)
Time: 8.15pm
Date: Friday 25 June 2010

My previous teacher has selected Benjamin Grosvenor's performance as she thinks the programme is interesting and it's on a Friday. Below is the link to the piano festival website. You can find out more about the pianists and their respective programme (what they are going to perform for that night). Students are given a discount of 30% off (those with concession passes) and adults will enjoy 10% off (she am still trying to work this out) and she is looking at Category 3. She has the privilege to order the tickets earlier than public ticket sales so we will be able to get better seats at VCH. The sales of tickets to public starts on 19 April 2010!

http://www.sso.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244&Itemid=232

First Lesson with New Piano Teacher

Had my first piano lesson with the new teacher on the 3 April. She was ok with the pieces which my previous teacher chose for me for exams after I played the 3 pieces for her. I have learnt the notes, but a lot needs to be done to add in the dynamics and the feel. However, as she does not want me to overcook the pieces, so she will be continuing the pieces which I have in the "Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 2" and also will proceed with the Grade 3 Music Theory In Practice. I might want to skip Grade 3 exams and move on to Grade 4.

Generally, I find her not bad. Her baby will be coming to Singapore to stay with her starting from the middle of this month. Will need to see if she will be able to cope with the baby and teaching by then. I guess there will be a lot of adjustments that will be needed going forward. However, I feel comfortable with her and hope she will be able to manage it well.

Oh...I need to find more time to practice the piano! I hardly have time now in the weekdays! Need to find time!

3 exams pieces selected...

The 3 pieces which I will be playing for my Grade 2 Practical exams (chosen by my previous teacher) are:-

A2: Allegro grazioso - Biehl
B1: Mazurka from Coppelia - Delibes
C2: Mozzie from Easy Little Peppers - Elissa Milne

Will see if my new piano teacher is ok with the selection...and when confirm and when I have practiced them enough to be presentable, will upload the video =)