How to Be Interesting when studying History of Western Music?

When students have reach certain levels/grades, students have to start approaching the History of Western Music. 

Some students will feel scare or bore when heard the word of "History" or "Sejarah". Some will be excited too~

Ideas to Study History of Western Music (for teenagers or adults):
Example:
Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886), famous Hungarian music composer and greatest virtuoso pianist.

Franz Liszt~ Handsome and famous composer and Pianist~

Malaysia Timeline during mid of 1800s
Yap Ah Loy (1837 - 1885), the Founding father of modern Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia. 

You can think of Liszt's achievement and stories life time. Whereas what happened here during that period in Malaysia?? That is --> Yap Ah Loy has developed Kuala Lumpur as a commercial and mining centre during the mid-19th century.

Yap Ah Loy~The Founding Father of Modern Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
He born in HuiZhou, Guangdong, China

Interesting!
Now got to know both successor were from the same period of time, different countries. Cool~ Other than studying music history only, you got to know more about Kuala Lumpur too! ^.^ In other words, piano playing skills has reached virtuosity in Europe countries whereas KL just started being developed. 

Other ways of having interesting ideas to learn History of Western Music for kids would be games, colourful story telling etc. 

Students/Parents-Be Responsible!

I believe the following cases are facing by many home tuition music teachers, and issues they would like to express/highlight to to all music students/parents about:

Usually no way for teachers to express it to the students/parents, only during discussion between teachers! Therefore is best to write down in a Blog~~ Some of them might inform their students not to repeat such mistakes anymore, however, since some students/parents are always forgetful and selfish, well, you know.....

There are some students with transportation issue or prefer to have piano/violin class in their comfort home. So they requested music teachers to conduct music classes their house. Unfortunately, there are some students/parents show irresponsible behaviour to their music teachers.

Issues caused by Irresponsible Students/Parents

Case 1: Class cancellation - Forget to inform the teacher

Students/parents don't inform the teacher when they are not in the house, something to do, gone back hometown during holidays, travelling etc. They don't inform, how the teacher gonna know?? 

Alright, she started her journey to students house, reach there, press the door bell, end up nobody at home. So teacher call up students/parents, not picking up the phone. So nobody at home, what to do? Teacher left their house definitely. 

Case 2: Communication problem between the parents and students caused inconveniences to the home tuition teachers

Students still in the school and haven't reach home yet, schedule being confirmed by parents, end up the teacher is waiting in the student's house for nothing, music teachers are not free to wait until you reach home then teach you because after your class, they still have other students as well. You are not the only student ya! Times up and the teacher have to leave during this moment and rush for the next lesson.

Case 3: Students without Discipline

Teacher reach student's house. Student in their room (upstairs) not coming down for class, just let the teacher wait downstairs, if the teacher don't call her she don't even know she has got music lesson today!

Case 4: Teachers press door bell, students Cant hear!

10am class start! Teacher will be reached around student's house early 5-10 mins sometimes. Is very difficult to estimate to reach students house sharp on 10am! Press door bell, nobody response, end up call students/parents phone only open the door because that time they are listening to Great & Loud Music with ear phone, so they can't hear that door bell rings, but phones call can hear!! 

You should be aware during this time the teacher will arrive your house anytime. Be alert!

Case 5: Last Minute Informing!

Teachers already on the way to students house. Then students/parents called up that time, "Teacher are you on your way? Sorry for the inconveniences caused. I forget to inform you that we are not in today!"

Teacher has to make a U-Turn back to his/her place now. The sms "Sorry for the inconveniences caused" apologise everything! Speechless!!

However, once upon a time this could be happened because of emergencies, this can be forgived by most of the teachers for sure!! 

Case 6: Forget to inform till the teacher sms her/him
"Hi, are you in your house tomorrow?Is the piano class on tomorrow?" sms from music teacher to the students, no reply, then sms to the mother, she replied "Hi thanks..sorry to inform u tht we r now at my hometown. I forgot to inform u"

Luckily teacher spend a little cost to ask are there classes held tomorrow? Or else he/she gonna waste to travel again! Yeah!!!!!! How smart and the teacher is!!! He/She knows everything already about his/her students, not ordinary human beings! Maybe the teacher is having CCTV in students house, how sarcasm is this! 

Even though the teacher has tried to warn and advice the students/parents remember to inform when they are not in, but, it seems they are forgetful and irresponsible and thinking only on themselves, so selfish huh!!

Because of you, for not informing, the following are the consequences:

Consequences

Students/Parents have WASTED the things below that belongs to the Music Teachers:

1. Time 

Total travelling time WASTED (45 mins - 1 hour) for going to your house and returning back from your house. 
Do you know that 1 hour time so many things can be completed?? Time already gone can ask it to come back? Definitely not!! Sometimes traffic jam on the road, extra time being wasted too!!

2. Telephone expenses

To call you up why you are not at home, why you are not informing etc. 

3. Energy & Concentration

Do you need energy and concentration to drive?? Yes of course, else you met accident who will bear it? The students & parents? No way!! Driving is tire especially long journey!
4. Inconveniences
If students/parents can inform early, teachers can arrange what to finish/complete to fully utilise the time of your class cancellation. 
eg. I can utilise the time to prepare students' lesson plan
eg. I can choose some music books for you or other students in a bookshop
eg. I can renew my passport/license/IC in government department
eg. I can settle my bill in the bank/post office
eg. I can have breakfast/lunch/dinner with my lovely family members!
eg. I can fetch my family members-the elder one to hospital for check up/take medicines
eg. I can make an appointment with my doctor for medical check up
etc.

5. Petrol

6. Lesson plan on that day delay/postpone (students slow down in progress)
7. Unfair for teachers and also yourself too!
You pay for the lesson, you miss it, you don't inform, therefore confirm no replacement.

Sorry No Cure~

Your apologies and "sorry" one word is unable to pay back to the teachers especially on the Time and Energy such intangible things! Can I charge you for the telephone expenses? Of course not, if I insist, you can't do anything, but of course I don't do it!

Conclusion:
To avoid the above cases happen is Pretty Simple! 
1. Remember to inform your teacher and bear in mind always! 
2. Be a responsible person and show some respect to him/her!!

Usually you have a lot of time for your to inform especially when you are travelling. There are low percentage of last minute travelling. Sure you have minimum of 1-2 days to inform. SMS or call, is so simple with that few words only!

Good Attitude Students/Parents - Thumbs Up!!
Teachers are happy to teach you/your children!!

Of course there are still many students/parents posses Good Attitude and show full respect to their home tuition music teachers. 

They are really responsible and caring person! They understand at the point of view of a music teacher who often travel to their house. They always bear in mind that myself/my children are having music class with the music teacher! Any schedule changes I will inform him/her!! 

Facing such kind students/parents, no doubt the teachers confirm will have great smiley faces, very happy to teach the students!! 

They appreciate the effort being paid out from the Teachers!
Some other they will serve a cup of orange juice, mango juice, guava juice, ice lemon tea, cold/hot tea, mostly plain water to the teachers! Because teachers are Guests too to their house! They appreciate their teachers to come and teach! They know teachers are paying so much effort to teach the children. Sometimes children themselves are the one who serve the teacher a glass of water. Good teaching from the parents! well done!!


A cup of hot lemon + lime tea without sugar!
Also, one day a teacher sore throat, temporary lose her voice, but still teaching with low and whispering tone up to 2 hours over there. The student's mother is very caring and understanding, gave her a cup of hot lemon + lime tea without sugar for a better throat! Even though her throat was not cure immediately, still, the teacher can feel the warmness from the mother deep from the heart, she thank the parent a lot!! ^.^

For some home tuition without a glass of water being served, usually teacher will prepare  themselves a water bottle. 

Respectful Quotes for Students to Teachers:

Give your teachers the respect they deserve, because they are the ones who can help you get where you need to go. - Richard Howard

Education is what you learn in books, and nobody knows you know it but your teacher. - Unknown quotes

Music Theory-The Strings Family

Music Theory ABRSM syllabus - Grade 1 to 8, so many things to post here. One of it would be: There is a chapter regarding Performance Directions of Orchestra Instruments - Strings Family in Grade 4 & 5 Music Theory. 

Performance Direction:

arco                  : play with the bow

pizzicato           : pluck the strings

con sordini         : with mutes

senza sordini      : without mutes

sul G                  : play on the G string

sul ponticello      : play near the bridge

 : Down bow

: Up bow

& others etc.

This part of music theory, especially Piano students, will feel empty/brain blank on that. Yes, they know the name of the instruments very well. But, when they see the performance direction above, usually will just have a look then turn away can't remember anymore. The reason is: they don't understand it! As a teacher, i need to guide them what is it?!

How to understand? First of all, I would like to place them in the position of a Violinist, for instance. Ask them to imagine: when you are playing in the orchestra, you will need to understand the above performance direction. Even though you are not orchestra member, you are just a piano student, you will still need to understand all the signs & symbols for grade 5 theory, composing melody & rhythm for the orchestra instruments that chapter too! 

Learn it! Your knowledge is your own asset!

Other than theory & exam syllabus, I would like my students to learn what is going on in the orchestra! They have watched before my live concert orchestras playing especially my piano students. So they have good memories and interested on the Strings Family and what is an "orchestra" about!

Books printed con sordini means with mute, senza sordini means without mute. But what is a mute? what is with/without? For what? Sul Ponticello: play near the bridge. What is a "bridge"? For what? Drive and flyover huh?? Sul G: play on the G string, what it means? "Play on the G string lorrrrrr~" Yes, you are right, but the in depth meaning? 

To answer them, I don't read according to the book, but I show them the real mute, the real bridge on the violin, the functions of these stuff! Ask them touch it, feel it, try it, since it is visible & tangible. Not enough to guide if only base on books and picture drawings. Make it simple and interesting! 

Build Confidence~Destroy Fear!

Read a book named "The Magic of Thinking Big", more than 4 million of copies were sold. I like the title of "Build Confidence~Destroy Fear!" written in the book! It is a positive and good advice for students especially for those who are going for music exam or any other type of exams. No matter you are students from primary/secondary school, college/university, even working adults, can read through this.

Many students are afraid of doing badly or failing an examination. You have time to worry, but why not putting more effort on studying or practicing more on your musical instrument? To familiarise and prepare well! Stop worrying as worrying too much is a waste of time. It doesn't change anything! Be confident~~

Reference: Author: David. J. Schwartz. "The Magic of Thinking Big" (1959,1965), pg. 50, Prentice Hall.

Sharing Information~ *Thumbs Up* from Parents!

Total 1 hour travelling time to my house
I have some students came so far away from Puchong to have music lesson with me every week. I have asked the mother before, why she doesn't mind to travel to my area here just to have that 30 mins beginner lesson?? Total travelling time = 1 hour. Seriously I'm curious about it.

Some teachers/administrator in music school don't bother her at all

She answered me that, they have make inquiries on piano/violin lesson for her daughter in so many music schools, they are not having full details at all either from the teachers or administrator in the schools. Only telling details of fees, schedule and holiday term break. Some staff in the music school don't even wanna bother them at all. Parents will have other question to ask, but many of them know nothing at all in music, totally blank don't know what to ask! Until she met me.

Which instrument to play? Piano or Violin?

At first she was wondering which instrument gonna let her daughter to start on?? Violin or Piano?? She believes that I will be a teacher who will teach with patience and detail guidance to my students after I have share tonnes of information to her about piano and violin. Conclusion, she decided to let her daughter to have piano lesson with me. (Thank you for the praise, my dear parent!) She said: Can't you remember that you told me all the details where I don't know how to ask at all?? I answered: Hmmm.. I share this relevant info to everyone when they called me up... She smiles.. :D

Beethoven's quote: "Only the pure in heart can make good soup".  I told the parent: I just knew that, I need to share this information out to all of you out there who are totally empty and blank on the details of learning piano/violin especially advice and details on owning your own instrument etc etc. 

Check it out here for beginners: Inquiries Piano / Violin Instrument

http://missyapmusic.blogspot.com/2012/10/inquiries-about-piano-violin-instrument.html

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