Taking a long break

It is 2013. My girl is 3+, turning 4 this year and is in N2 now. My boy is 1+, turning 2 this year, and will be promoted to toddler class soon.

This is the time of their life where they need more of their parents' time, to play and guide them. I think this is also the period where they build strong and lasting relationships with us, where they will stick to us and is dependent on us.

Also, when I flipped through the Primary 1 assessment books, frankly speaking, I am shocked at the questions. It seems like the P3/P4 syllabus when I was still in primary school. 

My friends around me are sending their children for enrichment classes like icanread, icreative, shichida, CMA for abacus, berries for chinese, yamaha music, kindergolf, swimming, ballet and so on. While I have not signed my girl up for any enrichment classes yet, and kept asking if these enrichment classes are really necessary, I don't deny the fact that I am just a normal typical singaporean who doesn't want my child to fall behind. My husband is against the idea of me sending my girl to enrichment class now, but I think it is time for me to spend more time with her to coach her academically.

Also, my workload is getting more demanding and heavier, with higher expectations to meet. I sometimes question why life is Singapore is so hectic and tiring.

Then I look at my piano learning. The time required to practice for the Grade 6 exams is not little. More scales and more challenging pieces. While I love learning piano, I cannot afford and could not find the time I need to practice to that perfection, to move up to the next level. Playing the piano is a skill which requires constant practice. And to play demanding pieces, more time is needed to practice. With so many things on my place. everything seems to be overflowing and I feel that I cannot cope. Or rather, unable to do each tasks to the level of perfection which I hoped for.

Hence, I decided it is time to postpone the learning of piano to make time for the others. This is so that I can feel less stress and have more time to do the rest to a better level of perfection. I will still play the piano at my pace, slower and by myself, as and when I find the time, to maintain the standard that I have came so far. 

The time which I want will come one day when (1) my children has grown up, and when they are less dependent on me, and when (2) I have reached my "Career End Point", such that I will be cruising comfortably at a certain level. Then I will resume my piano learning again. Hope I would be able to enjoy it then as much as now.

Working through a new book...

Currently, I am working through a new Book now: Masterwork Classics Level 7, Compiled & edited by Jane Magrath, together with Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 3, which I barely touched it since it was bought coz I had been mostly playing the exam pieces only.

Today was the last lesson before Nancy goes for her delivery. So, I guess the next lesson would be some time in Oct or Nov, and then a break in Dec coz she will be going over to her mum's place in Malaysia and re-starting in Jan 13.

This means I have about 5 weeks to work on a few pieces before I see her again. Hope I can be discipline enough to practice the pieces!

Officially Grade 6 now...

I didn't do well for the practical exams coz I was very very nervous. My mind just went blank throughout the exams, though I still manage to play the pieces and scales, but I was unable to relax and play normally. I think this is due to the lack of performing experience. And this would mean that I need to find more opportunity to play and perform for others, so that I am used to it and not feel so excessively nervous.

Nevertheless, I have officially move into Grade 6 now and yes, Nancy will be getting new books for me. She showed me some of the books which she will be getting for me and they are mostly one book of certain pieces by a composer. And the scores look very scary. The focus will really be on learning the techniques and the style of the period and maybe the style of the composer as well?

In any case, I think I will also need to spend more time practising the piano as the pieces are more technically demanding. And I am also thinking whether I should go for the practical exams for Grade 6 or skip and take Grade 7 or Grade 8 directly, taking about 2 to 3 years to get there? Any advise?

The reason why I am not so keen taking exams because I don't really enjoy the process of preparing the 3 exam pieces just for the exams where I play the same piece over and over again. Was quite bored towards the end. I rather spend more time playing more repertoires and spend more time to improve the various aspects of my techniques.

Anyway, it is time to go off. My girl needs her nap and hugs now. Will write again next time.

Practical Exam on 1 Aug 2012!

Just received the confirmation of my Grade 5 piano exams from my teacher. It will be on 1 Aug 2012 morning at Parkway Centre. That is less than 4 weeks later. Oh gosh, I feel so unprepared and nervous! And it clashes with my month end closing! Oh dear!

But luckily, it is in the morning, so I can take the morning off for the exams, and when I go back office, it would definitely be a long day! But which also means that I need to take a few days off before that, so that I have more time to practice, while my kids are in the childcare! Yet coping with the tonnes of work in office!

Although I keep saying, I am happy enough to pass, but subconsciously, I still hope to do well. Aiya, it is me lah, the want-to-be-perfectionist kind of attitude, even when I have so many things on my plate. Maybe that is why, I am always so tired. Coz I am too greedy and I want everything!

Ok, I should get on to practice more vigorously now! Hope I can do well! Good Luck to myself =P.

Distinction for my Grade 5 Theory!

Yeah! I received my certificate from my teacher today and I got a distinction for my Grade 5 Theory. Happy! But not a full marks distinction, not like my Grade 2.

So I am focusing on my Grade 5 piano practical now, which will happen in Aug. The exact date of the exams is not confirmed. And I will be having weekly lessons now to better prepare for the exams and after which, I will take a break while Nancy goes on maternity leave. Or maybe I will start on my Grade 6 to 8 theory with Carol when Nancy is on maternity leave. Let's see how I cope first.

Postpone the theory learning

I haven't had the chance to go for my first music theory lesson as I had been really very busy with my work and family. Also, Carol had also been busy. 

Since I don't think I can make it in time for the theory paper in Oct plus the fact that I want to spend more time preparing for my practical exams which is coming in Aug, I decided to postpone the music theory for the time being.

I am really finding hard to find enough time to practice my piano nowadays, especially after I return back to work 3 months plus ago. 

My weekdays are also so packed with so much work and long hours to complete my work and head home to tackle the 2 kids, unpack their schoolbags, repack their bag for the next day, wash clothes, bathe them, feed them, put them to bed. And then is bedtime for me, I would be lucky if they can sleep through the night. And the day starts again. TIRED.

And weekends are packed with buying groceries, bringing the 2 kids out "gai gai", visit my mum, do housework. And because they are in childcare, they fall sick very often, so it means bringing them to see a doctor, waking up at night when they cry coz they feel uncomfortable, cannot go to childcare when they are having fever. SUPER TIRED.


Although my husband is very hands-on and he does a lot as well, I haven't been able to find enough time to play the piano.Maybe I am not ready to give up my sleep for the piano yet. And I am the kind who needs to sleep. Else, my brain will be very slow.


Hope I can pass with Merit this Aug. I don't think distinction is within reach with my current practice effort. =P


After the practical exam, I will re-assess to see when I want to start my theory lessons and whether I should continue to learn piano or wait.


Both my hubby and my workload has increased and will increase further. We also want to spend sufficient time with our children and I am not ready to give up my sleep nor my work, it seems I will have less and less "me time". Hope I can continue to maintain a balance.

Anyway, it is late now, I am tired. Goodnight. Hope they can sleep through the night. Sweet dreams.

New Books for Music Theory

I have just started my Grade 6 Music Theory learning journey. My first lesson with Carol will on 2 May as she is tied up with her personal matters in April. I am currently going through the books and exercises which she recommended before my official first lesson. It is not her intention for me to start on my own first. I actually requested for it coz I just can’t wait to start. This is also so that I have more time to learn and enjoy the learning process while preparing for the Grade 8 Theory Paper this coming October.

The recommended books which I am currently working on are:-
1. Guidelines on Harmony for Grade 6 to 8 by Lee Fee Khoon (one book for all 3 grades)
2. Workbook on Harmony for Grade 6 to 8 by Lee Fee Khoon (one book for each grade)
3. In Preparation for the Theory Examination Grade 6 to 8 by Lee Ching Ching (purple book)

They are available from the Yamaha Bookstore at Plaza Sing, which is open after 12pm on weekdays and whole day on weekends.

So far, I enjoy reading the guidelines and working through the exercises. Some "me" time and a nice relaxation from my work and babies. =)

Grand Mercure Roxy

On Saturday, I took my theory exam at Grand Mercure Roxy.

It was not near to Sengkang and it took me about 1 hour to get there by bus. It was not feasible to take MRT either, coz there is no direct train there. Changing from NEL to Circle Line, then a bus, might take longer than taking 43 which will bring me to the doorstep. Moreover, I dare not take the chance as the train system does not seems very reliable these days. Maybe I should ask my piano teacher to choose Central area in future, instead of East. I think getting to Town area from Sengkang is faster than getting to Marine Parade area.

As expected, there were many young children and they were very cute. When I saw a lady, who look like in her 40s, I feel glad. I am not the oldest there =) I thought to myself, if I were to take higher theory grades exams in future, I would blend it better since it would be different session from the lower grades. =)

The exam was ok, I think I should be able to pass with at least a Merit. I finished the paper in less than 1 hour, checked through and there was nothing I could do, so I left the exam hall after 1 hour 15 mins. Sigh, there was one question that I really didn't know and made the wrong guess and it is the meaning of "Alla marcia". Ok, that was 2 marks. So, the damage is not that bad. =)

I don't know why, but after I sit for the paper, I felt happy. Well, I enjoyed the process. And it was stress free. I feel satisfied.

Yes, now I have a better understanding of chords, cadences. And I begin to read more on Grade 6 theory and play some Chinese pop songs, I begin to understand and appreciate the "derivation" of the chords. But Grade 6 theory is filled with rules, 'can' and 'cannot', which makes it not so interesting. =P But spending time to understand why cannot makes it interesting.

Anyway, I think I will continue to do higher theory grades, coz I think they are generally interesting and it helps me to understand and appreciate music better. But I don't plan to rush through it. I prefer to take it slowly and give myself time to internalize the theory and appreciate it.

Also, my piano teacher had registered me for the Grade 5 practical exams this August. Very excited! Time to practice and have fun! =)

Performance Directions

Notes for my reference...

• Larghissimo — very, very slow (20 bpm and below)
• Grave — slow and solemn (20–40 bpm)
• Lento — slowly (40–60 bpm)
• Largo — broadly (40–60 bpm)
• Larghetto — rather broadly (60–66 bpm)
• Adagio — slow and stately (literally, "at ease") (66–76 bpm)
• Adagietto — rather slow (70–80 bpm)
• Andante moderato — a bit slower than andante
• Andante — at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
• Andantino – slightly faster than andante (although in some cases it can be taken to mean slightly slower than andante)
• Moderato — moderately (108–120 bpm)
• Allegretto — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)
• Allegro moderato — moderately quick (112–124 bpm)
• Allegro — fast, quickly and bright (120–168 bpm)
• Vivace — lively and fast (≈140 bpm) (quicker than allegro)
• Vivacissimo — very fast and lively
• Allegrissimo — very fast
• Presto — very fast (168–200 bpm)
• Prestissimo — extremely fast (more than 200bpm)

Grade 8 Music Theory?

This is something that I am considering. Should I proceed to continue to learn the Music Theory after my Mar exams? My piano teacher is not teaching Music Theory from Grade 6 and above. So, I will need to find another teacher to learn from if I wish to continue. And then the question is, I learn until Grade 8 for what?

The higher Music Theory Grades seems to be more on composition for different instruments in an orchestra to create harmony and identifying the composer and the period of a given piece, which seems interesting to me but very intimidating. And is not as if I will be really composing a piece for an orchestra. Would I be even able to hear my composed piece played by an orchestra? Is there a software where I can load the scores and they play it out for me to hear? Haha. It is then will I know if the piece I compose sounds horrible or not. Hahaha.

I went to check out the rates to learn the higher Music Theory. They don't come cheap. I mean, a rough estimation is about $3k+ just to learn from Grade 6 to 8. And that is provided I am "talented". If I stupid stupid, the amount might be more if I insist that I want to pass the Grade 8 exams.

Anyway, a teacher offered to teach me during my lunch time on weekdays, which means I don't need to think of ways to settle my 2 kids while I go for lessons, since they will be in the childcare from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. And she claims that she can cover Grade 6 to 8 syllabus and prepare me for the Grade 8 theory exams in 7 months, which works out to be about $1.2k in total. Should I just give it a try and see how?

Back to Piano at a Relaxed Mode...

Yes, I am returning to continue my piano lessons starting tomorrow. My mother in law was very nice. She offered to come over to my house to help take care of the 2 little ones together with my hubby so that I can go for my piano lessons at peace. And yes, I am continuing to learn on alternate weeks and continue to prepare for my exams in 2012.

My piano teacher had registered me for the Grade 5 Music Theory exams on 17 Mar 2012. And I am nowhere near being prepared for the exams. So, the next 5 lessons, the focus will be on the Grade 5 Music Theory. According to my teacher, she says there is sufficient time, so don't worry.

Also, my piano teacher plans to register me for the Grade 5 Piano Practical exams in July 2012. As of now, I have completed all the scales and arpeggios and have learnt the 3 exam pieces, which are:

A2: Joseph Hector Fiocco (1703-41) Andante: from Pieces de clavecin, Op. 1
B1: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Gedike (1877-1957) Miniature in D minor: No. 2 from Dix Miniatures en forme d'etudes, Op. 8
C3:Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) Joyous March: No. 5 from Enfantines

So moving forward, I just need to practice and try to perfect them to be ready for the exams and focus on learning new pieces to brush up my sight reading skills and aural skills!

So, I will just take it slowly and see what the results will turn out to be. Passing both the Theory and Practical exams are in my 2012 Resolution! But not at the expense of my other priorities =)

cbox Removed...

I have removed the cbox from my blog as someone is trying to impersonate me by using my username "Pooh Bear" in providing comments that does not originate from me. I don't like people to "put words into my mouth", although I am ok if that someone had just used your own username to provide your own comments.

To that someone:
Be daring to speak up your own views, and don't hide behind another person's identity. If you really think something is better, just share your views and reasons using your own identity.

To NW:
I don't know who that someone is, but please ignore the last message in the cbox. Someone is obviously trying to be funny.

My little boy arrived...

My dear little boy arrived on 20 Oct 11. This is much earlier than what I expected and hence I was caught unprepared. Luckily he is my 2nd one, so I have some prior experience which came in useful.

I will be returning to work on 20 Feb 12. So I have a full 4 months break from work to spend time with my 2 little ones and my hubby and of coz to try to prepare for the Grade 5 exams.

My goals for these 4 months would be:-
1. Re-establish a routine with my hubby which is sustainable when I go back to work.
2. Fully toilet-train my girl.
3. Wean my girl off her pacifier.
4. Settles my girl well and manage sibling rivalry.
5. Train my boy to sleep through the night without any night feeds.
6. Settles my boy well in the infant care before I start work.
7. Breastfeeding my boy for at least 4 months.

With the encouragement and support from my hubby, I will be registering for the 17 Mar 2012 Grade 5 Music Theory exams and the July 2012 Grade 5 practical exams. He thinks since I am already preparing for it, might as well give it a try. If fail, then so be it. Haha, just waste money on the exams fees lor.

If I am taking my Grade 5 exams...

If I am still taking the Grade 5 exams, below will be the planned schedule...

Grade 5 Theory exam:
Fees: SGD 130
Exam Date: 17 March 2012 (Saturday)
Registration Dates: 28 Nov to 9 Dec 2011

Grade 5 Practical exam:
Fees: SGD 240
Exam Dates: July to September 2012
Registration Dates: 13 Feb to 2 Mar 2012

Taking another break...a long one this time...

FY2011 had been a very busy year for me so far, where I had to cope with so many things happening at the same time. It wasn't really a smooth year for me with many bad events, but there were good ones too. As much as I want to continue learning my piano, I have decided to take a break indefinitely, so that I can free up more time to welcome another new member into my family soon and spend more time on other aspects of my life. Yes, a little boy will come into my life next month. With that, I have done my "national call" of replacing my hubby and myself, saying goodbye to baby bumps. =)

I will still play the piano when I need it to relax, but I will not be doing any exams or going for lessons until maybe when my 2 little ones are much older. And yes, it is going to be a few years.

I am glad that my girl sticks to me quite a lot and with another one coming along, I do not want her to feel upset when she realises that she needs to share my time with a "competitor". I believe that sibling rivalry can be managed and minimised, but all that will require effort and time. I am grateful to my hubby for trying all efforts to make sure that I get to pursue my hobby, but I also think I need to spend more time with him and my mummy who is growing old faster especially after my dad moved on just a few months ago. And of coz, as I wish to progress in my career, my work also require more time. So until I can say that I have that extra time to spare without affecting my other aspects of life, I will put piano learning on hold.

It is obvious on what are my priorities and though I do feel sad that I have to put piano learning on hold, I think there are a lot of things that are "fighting" for the limited resource (time) which are more important to me. Definitely, I will introduce music to my 2 little ones and hope that they will enjoy it as much as I do. =)

Higher Music Theory Courses

Places where higher music theory courses are offered (for my own reference):-

1) http://www.musicworkshop.com.sg/piano.html
185A Upper Thomson Road, Singapore
Tel: 65 6455 6647
Email: enquiry@musicworkshop.com.sg
Grade 6 - $140, Grade 7 - $150, Grade 8 - $160
Duration (about 21 months) One hour per lesson, with four to six in a group, taught by specialist with a Master degree of Music Education, and author of Theory examination Model Answers.
Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8): S$3,150 (assuming 21 months)

2) http://vervemusic.com.sg/
Blk 713, Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #01-4040 (2nd Storey), Singapore 560713.
(take the staircase beside Banquet Food Court)
Duration: 12 to 15 months
The course fees for our Music Theory Accelerated Course Grades 6-8 level is $600 per term (approx 3 months) on an individual basis covering 11 lessons of 60 mins each. There is also a one-time registration fee of $20.
Email: enquiry@vervemusic.com.sg
Phone: 6554 4097
Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8): S$3,020 (assuming 15 months)

3) http://www.private-piano-teacher.com/abrsm-music-theory.html
157 Toa Payoh Lor 1, next to MRT
Fees for grade 6 are $120 per month for ten lessons per quarter. This class will start on orchestral scores/instruments and harmony.
Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8): S$3,120 (assuming 24 months)

4) http://www.learnpianolessonsingapore.com/intensive-abrsm-music-theory-class.html
Contact Number : 8388-6876 (Janice)
Email : janice@learnpianolessonsingapore.com
(If you decide to email us, kindly provide your name, age, contact number).
Duration: 1 hr/session (4x per month)
Grade 5 $230 (3 mths)
Grade 6 $260 (3 mths)
Grade 7 $280 (4 mths)
Grade 8 $280 (4 mths)
Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8): S$3,020 (assuming 11 months)

5) Music Theory Lessons taught by highly experienced music graduate teacher
Individual 1 to 1 and group theory.
Grade 5 at $120 for 4 hourly lessons,
Grade 6-8 crash course at flat rate of $130 for 4 hourly lessons.
The fees for 1 to 1 theory is $150 for 4 hourly lessons.
* For students doing crash course, fees is paid the 1st session of every lesson month for the total no of sessions conducted in that particular lesson month. That is if he or she is able to pack 6 lessons, payment therein will be of 6 sessions, if only 4, then will be just 4 sessions.
Email theory.ding@gmail.com for enquiries and lesson structures
Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8): S$1,200 (assuming 32 lessons)

6) http://www.jkmusicstudio.com/contact.html
29B Binjai Park, Singapore 589831
Turn in from Dunearn Road, before Caltex petrol station.
5 minutes walk from the main road.
Walk past the antique shops and Ivins restaurant.
Go up by the last stairway to the top floor.

Theory Classes
Grade 6 (group)	$145 per month	1 hour
Grade 7 (group)	$155 per month	1 hour
Grade 8 (group)	$165 per month	1 hour
Grade 6-8 (individual)	$360 per month	1 hour
Professional Consultation Lessons	$100 per hour	-

Estimated Total Damage (Grade 6 to 8):$3,720

Updates on my Piano Learning

Just wanted to post some updates...

My Grade 5 piano lessons is suppose to be 45 mins per lesson. Although, the lessons usually span from 45mins to 1 hour. In fact, I have checked with my teacher and she says that all her lessons will be 45 mins even when I move up to Grade 6, 7 and 8.

And the tentative charges will be as such:

Grade 5 --- $160/4 lessons (45 mins each including Theory)

Grade 6 --- $180/4 lessons (45 mins each excluding Theory)

Grade 7 --- $200/4 lessons (45 mins each excluding Theory)

Grade 8 --- $220/4 lessons (45 mins each excluding Theory)

And my teacher shared that she will not be teaching Grade 6 and above Music Theory. So which means, if I want to continue to learn my Music Theory up to Grade 8, I will need to look for another teacher who just teach Grade 6 to 8 theory or who can teach both Grade 6 to 8 piano and theory. But I start to like my current teacher, so maybe, I am not that keen to change a piano teacher. Maybe I will look for group lesson for my theory. Anyway, that is an arrangement that I will need to make next year after I sit for my Grade 5 theory and practical exams and receive my results.

I have started to learn my exam pieces and my Grade 5 scales. This first exam piece is A:2 Joseph Hector Fiocco (1703-41) Andante: from Pieces de clavecin, Op. 1. I managed to play through the whole piece. But not at performance level yet. I am actually surprise that I can still play the piece. Haha, I had always think the Grade 5 exam scores look scary and is impossible. And ya, I noticed my sight-reading has improved alot since I completed my Grade 2 exams. Thanks to Nancy for forcing me to learn a new piece every week. But I think I have much to brush up before I am ready to sit for the Grade 5 exams, hence keep practising! =)

Planning to teach my 4 year old niece

My sister had wanted me to try teaching her 4 year old girl piano, hoping test out to see if she is interested in learning piano. And if the test is positive, then my sister will look for a qualified teacher to teach her and get her a new piano! My niece will be using the old Schubert piano which I have given my sister when I bought my Hailun piano.

I guess, this is our cheaper way to test out the interest of our child. I intend to also self teach my girl when she is older to see if she is interested before sending her to formal lessons. I have seen many cases where the child is not interested but being forced to learn piano and never enjoyed it, which I think it is simply a waste of money, coz in the end, these children will never touch the instrument ever again. So if my girl or my niece is not interested, we shall stop and maybe re-introduce it again when they demonstrate that they are interested when they are older.

I will be starting my first lesson with her this coming weekend. This is my first time formally teaching piano to another person and of course, my first time teaching a young child. Hence it is also a learning experience for me. Hope that with this experience, I will also learn how to teach a young child better and apply it to my girl when she is older. Hence, I made my way down to Bras Basah to look for method books for my niece.

I had chosen 2 books for her, not sure if they are the best, but I thought it has lots of activities and pictures in the book which hopefully can keep her interested. And at the same time, they are prepared to prepare young children to move from beginner to Grade 1. There are 4 levels for this series, and of course, I bought Book 1. The 2 books is $17.40 together, so it is not that expensive.

The 2 books chosen are:
(1) Poco Piano for Young Children – Book 1
(2) Music Theory for Young Children – Book 1

I have went through the books and understand the syllabus covered. I have also been trying to plan out my lessons. How fast or how slow I go will depend on how long I can keep my niece interested. I may start with a 30 mins lesson for a start and see how she response. I guess I may need to prepare some self-made teaching materials too, so trying to surf the net to get more ideas.

Will share again after my first lesson with her, and from there, I will see how I can improve and make the learning more interesting. Come to think of it, teaching young children is not an easy task. Teaching adult beginners could be much easier.

3 exam pieces selected (tentative)

The 3 pieces which my teacher has chosen for my Grade 5 practical exams are (tentatively):

A2: Joseph Hector Fiocco (1703-41) Andante: from Pieces de clavecin, Op. 1
B1: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Gedike (1877-1957) Miniature in D minor: No. 2 from Dix Miniatures en forme d'etudes, Op. 8
C1: Eric Thiman (1900-75) Flood-Time: No. 5 from Water Pieces

Officially promoted to Grade 5?

My piano teacher has promoted me to Grade 5, that is, charging me Grade 5 fees since 1 April 2011. But I have not totally moved into Grade 5 in all the aspects of my piano learning. Hence, I do think she is charging a Grade 5 fees prematurely. But afterall, she is not charging as much as other piano teachers, hence, I took the "give and take" approach and allowed to be prematurely promoted to Grade 5. Afterall, don't want her to feel unhappy and she did touch on Grade 5 stuff, and with that, hope she will focus more on me.

Although prematurely, below is the time I have moved from one Grade to another. Not counting the 3 months which I rested when I gave birth. This is the start of the 33th month into my piano learning. I will be in Grade 5 for quite a while as the exams is tentatively schedules on the 2nd half of 2012.

Beginner --- 6 mths (no exams)
Grade 1 ---- 8 mths (no exams)
Grade 2 --- 10 mths (theory & practical exams - 7 mths of alternate week lessons)
Grade 3 ---- skip
Grade 4 ---- 7 mths (no exams，alternate week lessons, including the 3 mths break I took to catch up)
Grade 5 ---- starting from Apr 2011

The fees she charges are below, which includes both theory and practical. Reasonable?
Beginner ---- $100 / 4 lessons
Grade 1 ----- $110 / 4 lessons
Grade 2 ----- $120 / 4 lessons
Grade 3 ----- $130 / 4 lessons
Grade 4 ----- $140 / 4 lessons
Grade 5 ----- $160 / 4 lessons
**Noted that most teachers increases the lesson time from 45 mins to 60 mins in Grade 5. Maybe I should ask her too...

What I have covered so far:-

Scales and Arpeggios:
Using the ABRSM Grade 5 Book now.
Learnt all the major scales (both hands together and hands separately)
Learnt 9 harmonic minor scales (both hands together and hands separately)
Learnt 3 harmonic minor scales (hands separately only)
12 melodic minor scales (not yet)
Contrary-motion scales (not yet)
Chromatic scales (starting from all black keys only, white keys not yet)
Chromatic contrary-motion scales (not yet)
6 Arpreggios (both hands together and hands separately)
18 Arpeggios (not yet)

Exam Pieces:
Just bought the ABRSM Grade 5 book, but not yet started.

Aural:
Not yet started. Will be using Nancy's book.

Sight-reading:
Just bought the ABRSM Grade 5 book, but not yet started.

Theory:
About 66% through Grade 4 theory.

Keys to Stylistic Mastery 2:
3 more new pieces from contemporary period before I finish the book.

John W. Schaum Piano Course F - The Brown Book:
Learnt 6 pieces.

A Dozen A Day Book 2:
Have not touched it for a real long time. Guess Nancy is not keen to touch on this.