Form 5 girl~ Violin Exam-Special Case!

Final 3 months!
One of my student, Shin, form 5 this year. Got her call that she wants to switch to me as her violin teacher from a music school located at Kota Damansara to my private music classroom here before her exam,  3 months left only from her exam date!!

Ok, class started then! 1st class I listened to her violin playing on the scales and exam pieces. OMG!! Left 3 months only, she has not studied ALL the music exam requirements in the school. The 3rd song was the most difficult piece to play according to Shin's current status. 

The basic Rhythm counting also not focusing! I can't even practice with her with the piano (required for music exam for me to be her pianist accompaniment). Base on her current status, she would really fail her exam!

This is really challenging task for me as her new violin teacher, haha! I decided to pull her from Fail to Pass category. Pass is better than fail of course. Within these 3 months, all details and requirement being taught in scales, exam songs, sight reading, aural and etc. I told her that "You must follow my guidance, if you don't listen, your exam might fail, you decide it!". I was so strict to her during these 3 months!

Lucky Stars surrounding her:
1. Good Student with Good Attitude 
Luckily she is not that kind of stubborn students who wan to work on their way without strong basics at all, she slowly managed the tasks I assigned!

2. Choir Singing
Luckily she joined Choir singing in her Pin Hwa secondary school in Klang, 滨华独中 previously. Singing do help her in her Aural music exam here!!! 

3. Personal Appearance / Respect the Examiner
Before her exam, I told her, don't wear jeans or slippers to the exam please! So that day she wore this adorable dress + high heel shoes to exam. 
The music examiner (male) seem like her very much from his facial expression & gesture. He helped her to adjust the music stand according to her height, how gentlemen this Mat Salleh examiner! For some other examiners, just wait yourself to do it won't give you a hand at all.

While waiting in the exam venue!

1 Month Later after Exam!

Her result was released! She called me up for 3 times, finally I got to answer her call in the evening when I was so busy. She felt very happy and excited and said over the phone, "Teacher! my violin finally pass already, YEAH!!!!!!!" Hoho! The wonderful moment we had! Congratulations to her!!

All exam category were SUCCESSFULLY being from pull up from Fail to Pass category compare to her 1st class with me 3 months ago. Her aural exam got Full Marks! Examiner commented and praise her excellent presentation in this category!

Evidence here show: Go sing Karaoke or join Choir singing in your school often! ^.^

Now Shin gonna face SPM soon!

Even though SPM exam is around the corner, she still continue her violin class with me, attend every week without absence! Her experiences and journey of learning violin was really great motivation and courage for her to further her violin studies with me!

Once again! 100% passing rates exam@2012!!

The piano and violin exam results 2012 are released recently!! Once again got 100% passing rates for all music students since many years ago, that's AWESOME!! 

All students did well in the exam! No matter what score you got (Pass, Higher Pass, Merit or Distinction), you are the BEST!! well done my students!

All students are entitled a mystery FREE GIFT from Ms Yap as their teacher!! Keep it up your effort and good work!! Hooray~~


Next Batch Exam@2013 Students:
Get Ready, be prepare and run for your life! ^.^

Selamat Hari Raya~

Selamat Hari Raya to all especially my students. Thanks to Hanan's parents invited me to their open house in Shah Alam last Sunday. Unfortunately, I was not free to attend, I gave her mum a small little "green packet" as my gift to them. ^.^

The following week her mum served me a piece of chocolate cake + orange juice. The chocolate cake was so delicious! :D She also gave me some cupcakes and chocolate to bring home. Thank you once again to her mum! 

Delicious chocolate cake + orang juice!! The plate is unique ~~

Hanan, requested to take a pic of her, end up covered her face by a book! Cute girl! ^^

Lovely cupcakes and chocolate candies from Hanan's mum~ ^.^

活到老，学到老~ Don't Laugh at Others!

One day, a form 2 Chinese girl told me that she saw my next student after her class is an adult (woman)!! She was so excited and said sarcastically: "So old already still learning violin?? My father also saw her that day and keep laughing, my mum heard what we discussed also keep laughing, very funny!!" 

When I heard these words out from her mouth that day, I felt quite sad and disappointed on her attitude, also her parents. They don't understand the Chinese term of "活到老，学到老".

I asked her: "Why can't adult learn to play violin? Is there any problem??". I told her that lady is my student, she has strong musical background, she is a fast learner! Just came for 1-2 months already learn to play up to your level, almost finish the book too! She has great listening skills, she knows whether she played correctly or not, either in tune or out tune!! Her rhythm and count with accuracy!! She know how to play piano and other instruments as well.

This form 2 girl with zero musical background, silent when I talk about my adult student's background. Hope she will feel guilty on what she talk about.   

I would like to say, I'm teaching many adult students, female/male, some even from top companies in the world with high position, with/without musical background. There is a retiree playing too! One thing I would like to confirm: Their learning skills during my class really superb compare to teenagers/children!! Therefore, stop laughing on their hobby of playing violin.

My advice to youngster or parents, educate your love ones and people from different ages, kindly do not laugh at someone who has great passion to learn, either learning to play music instrument or anything else that is worth to learn. We respect such positive learning attitude! 

DON'T LAUGH AT OTHERS, BUT LAUGH AT YOURSELF!

Adult student point of view: The world consist of different kind of people, just ignore what people comment, just be brave, be passion to learn, nothing will be your obstacle! You learn something and that is your own knowledge benefited for whole life! 

Fantastic Scenery!

Such a Beautiful Scenery with strings instrument!! Love it!

Humour Music Comic!

Jacob Dont Viola studies become Cant studies~ Don't vs Can't

Is this the thought of the general public --->
What a simple job scope for an orchestra's conductor? !

Where's the ESCAPE key then?? >.<

A Rest vs ARREST???!!! ~~>.<

Handmade DIY Silent Piano Keyboard

One of my student, Li, 8 years old, she studied piano with me a couple of months ago. She has very good memories. She can remember every lesson where her fingers should be placed on the piano. She read notes and rhythm fast! Unfortunately, her parents unable to afford to buy her a piano or even a small keyboard (a few hundred ringgit). 

Even though she has good memories, but without practicing, she is unable to play with fast tempo. Her speed is limited. This cause her still playing the same beginner book for a few months. Without a piano or a keyboard to practice at home totally slow down her progress! Parents outside kindly take note on this issue. 

Handmade Piano
In this case, I just do what I can within my capabilities. I took some time to make a 3D piano (touchable key) ^.^ for her to practice at home. Even though the keyboard I made has no sound at all, but she did appreciate my hard work on doing that keyboard, used 2-3 hours to complete including of drawing, cutting, sticking, covering etc etc. (I'm not good in this >.<)

While waiting for her father to pick her up after my lesson, she helped me in sticking the "Black Keys" by using double sided tape and cutting it out! Thanks to her!

Li asked me a question, "Teacher, how you got this idea and produce a handmade Piano?". 
I told her that: "When a person has the passion to do something, whatever you think impossible will turn possible! Believe yourself you can do it, then you can do!" ^.^

Practice on the Table
Another student name Nurfatihah, 10 years old, before she owned a piano, she has got the idea to practice on the TABLE!! Yes, is a TABLE, on a BLANK TABLE without paper keyboard!! She opens up the piano book, PRACTICE on the table by imagining her fingers on the keyboard. 

Therefore, during the piano lesson she able to play it SMOOTHLY!! A big clap and thumbs up for her passion to learn to play piano!

A little keyboard for Li, my student! "3D Piano Keyboard" ^.^

2-3 Hours to complete: Drawing, Cutting, Estimating, Sticking 1 by 1 etc etc.

P/S: For the children and teenagers out there, if your parents are able to afford to buy you a piano, you should APPRECIATE it and play the piano well in order to thank your parents! Stop complaining that you have many school work..lazy to play the piano etc etc!

There are still many poor students who love to play piano out there but unable buy piano, some can't even go for a piano lesson! Do appreciate what you have right now! Cheers!