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
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Reviewing 2011 Music Resolution
After one quarter into FY11, just wanted to see how I have progressed on the Resolution which i set in the beginning of the year, and what is the exam plan which my teacher proposed.
2011 Resolution
1. Return back to Piano Learning with a Teacher! [Completed]
2. Able to work out a more sustainable practice routine! [In progress]
3. To complete my Grade 4 Theory (Music Theory in Practice & Past Year papers) [In progress]
4. To learn and master at least 12 new pieces (1 piece a month) [In progress]
5. To complete the "A Dozen A Day Book 2" [Not on track]
6. To learn the scales and arpeggios needed for Grade 5. [In progress]
Exams Siting (tentative plan from my teacher)
Grade 5 Theory ............ Mar 2012 (register in Nov 2011)
Grade 5 Practical ......... Sep 2012 or Mar 2013 (register Feb 2012 or Sep 2012)
Yes, I will not be taking the Grade 3 and 4 exams. This is also so that I can spend more time playing more pieces. =)
2011 Resolution
1. Return back to Piano Learning with a Teacher! [Completed]
2. Able to work out a more sustainable practice routine! [In progress]
3. To complete my Grade 4 Theory (Music Theory in Practice & Past Year papers) [In progress]
4. To learn and master at least 12 new pieces (1 piece a month) [In progress]
5. To complete the "A Dozen A Day Book 2" [Not on track]
6. To learn the scales and arpeggios needed for Grade 5. [In progress]
Exams Siting (tentative plan from my teacher)
Grade 5 Theory ............ Mar 2012 (register in Nov 2011)
Grade 5 Practical ......... Sep 2012 or Mar 2013 (register Feb 2012 or Sep 2012)
Yes, I will not be taking the Grade 3 and 4 exams. This is also so that I can spend more time playing more pieces. =)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Restarted...
Yesterday, I officially restarted my piano lessons. Great feeling! Glad that I am back in action after a break. My hubby will bring my girl to play at the playground downstairs @ my piano teacher's house, while I am having lessons. This is also to ensure that she gets some workout!
I had a discussion with my teacher, and we decided that my theory and practical shall progress separately. So the plan is that I will take my Grade 5 theory either Oct 2011 or Mar 2012. And either take the Grade 4 practical in 2012 or Grade 5 practical in 2013. Still undecided.
This is so that I have enough time to pick up and not feel too stress about it. I guess she also gathered that I am facing problems finding time to practice the piano.
The examination dates and registration dates for my reference:-
http://www.abrsm.org/en/regions/singapore/singapore/make-an-entry/exam-dates/
I had a discussion with my teacher, and we decided that my theory and practical shall progress separately. So the plan is that I will take my Grade 5 theory either Oct 2011 or Mar 2012. And either take the Grade 4 practical in 2012 or Grade 5 practical in 2013. Still undecided.
This is so that I have enough time to pick up and not feel too stress about it. I guess she also gathered that I am facing problems finding time to practice the piano.
The examination dates and registration dates for my reference:-
http://www.abrsm.org/en/regions/singapore/singapore/make-an-entry/exam-dates/
2011
Examination Date | Registration Dates | |
Theory of Music | ||
Saturday 5 March 2011 | 15 - 26 November 2010 | |
Saturday 29 October 2011 | 1 - 12 August 2011 | |
Practical Examinations | ||
Grade Exams | February/March 2011 | 20 September - 8 October 2010 |
Diploma Exams | April/May 2011 | 3 - 7 January 2011 |
Grade & Diploma Exams | July - September 2011 | 14 February - 4 March 2011 |
Friday, January 21, 2011
Restarting Piano Lessons...
Time flies. Feb 2011 is coming. I was targeting to restart piano lessons in Feb 2011 when I decided to take a 3 month break in Oct 2010. Ya, I have been 3 months plus into my new role, but I am still learning and picking up. It is better now, in that, I do not need to bring work home over the weekend. So the weekend is now mine totally. =)
But I have yet establish a routine to ensure that I have at least half an hour a day to spend learning piano., especially on weekdays. Sigh, guess I need to sacrifice half an hour of my beauty sleep everyday!
Yes, I am still planning to have lessons on alternate weeks, so that I don't feel so rushed. Hoping to take it slowly. Jennifer does not have any weekend slots available this year. And Nancy only have Sunday afternoon available. So I'll restart again after Chinese New Year.
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
But I have yet establish a routine to ensure that I have at least half an hour a day to spend learning piano., especially on weekdays. Sigh, guess I need to sacrifice half an hour of my beauty sleep everyday!
Yes, I am still planning to have lessons on alternate weeks, so that I don't feel so rushed. Hoping to take it slowly. Jennifer does not have any weekend slots available this year. And Nancy only have Sunday afternoon available. So I'll restart again after Chinese New Year.
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
Friday, December 17, 2010
2011 Music Resolutions!
My 2011 Music Resolutions:
1. Return back to Piano Learning with a Teacher!
2. Able to work out a more sustainable practice routine!
3. To complete my Grade 4 Theory (Music Theory in Practice & Past Year papers)
4. To learn and master at least 12 new pieces (1 piece a month):-
a) 7 new pieces from "Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 2" to complete the Book
b) 5 new pieces from "John W. Schaum Piano Course F - The Brown Book", that is up to Page 17.
5. To complete the "A Dozen A Day Book 2"
6. To complete the scales and arpeggios needed for Grade 4.
1. Return back to Piano Learning with a Teacher!
2. Able to work out a more sustainable practice routine!
3. To complete my Grade 4 Theory (Music Theory in Practice & Past Year papers)
4. To learn and master at least 12 new pieces (1 piece a month):-
a) 7 new pieces from "Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book 2" to complete the Book
b) 5 new pieces from "John W. Schaum Piano Course F - The Brown Book", that is up to Page 17.
5. To complete the "A Dozen A Day Book 2"
6. To complete the scales and arpeggios needed for Grade 4.
Voce Studio Recital 2010
The Voce Studio Recital was held at the Arts House on the 12 Dec 2010 (Sun) and I played 2 pieces:-
Temple Bells
By Dennis Alexander
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book1
Longing
by Cornelius Gurlitt
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book2
Ok, I don't think I played that well, but I think it is still ok. Haha. Some hiccups here and there. But I really enjoyed myself. Yes, my hubby and my little girl were there to see me perform. But because it was on a Sunday, and by the time I finish my pieces, it was already around 10pm. Well, my girl usually sleeps at around that time. So, yes, she was getting very cranky. So, immediately after I finish my pieces, I went home. So, I didn't manage to stay til the end of the recital. But I really appreciate the effort that Jennifer had put in to give everyone to have a chance to perform. And some of her students were simply FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed their playing!
Some photos for you to see:
Temple Bells
By Dennis Alexander
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book1
Longing
by Cornelius Gurlitt
from Keys to Stylistic Mastery Book2
Ok, I don't think I played that well, but I think it is still ok. Haha. Some hiccups here and there. But I really enjoyed myself. Yes, my hubby and my little girl were there to see me perform. But because it was on a Sunday, and by the time I finish my pieces, it was already around 10pm. Well, my girl usually sleeps at around that time. So, yes, she was getting very cranky. So, immediately after I finish my pieces, I went home. So, I didn't manage to stay til the end of the recital. But I really appreciate the effort that Jennifer had put in to give everyone to have a chance to perform. And some of her students were simply FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed their playing!
Some photos for you to see:
The Board outside...
The lights...ok, my hubby was finding things to take...
My girl very excited and happy that the recital is starting soon...
One of the MCees...
Jennifer and one of the young pianist. Think she is the same person as the MCee. Haha, for some reasons, my hubby like to take her photo. There were so many other performers.
Mummy playing...
For a moment, I thought Jennifer teaches violin.
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