Piano Playing - 5 years old girl~

My student, Zi En played "London Bridge is Falling Down" & "Mary Had A Little Lamb" easy version~

She likes to attend the piano lessons and feels very excited for each lesson. She likes to play the piano very much especially playing her favourite songs! She always be self discipline to practice on the piano daily rather than waiting for her parents to remind her. 

Another special skills of Zi En without teacher's reminder: 

1. She has the great awareness on the loud & soft symbol of a song, 

2. She will count the rhythm, especially last note of a song (ending part).

She will express it out & handle with self-confidence automatically! OMG!! Thumbs up to this 5 years old little girl!! (actually she just 4+, not even 5 yet!)

A lovely cute girl~ ^.^

 Counting 1-2-3-4~

 happy girl!

Violin Students - Adult

Ash and Shan (brother and sister), both working adult, have attended violin lessons under my guidance. From a new beginner, without knowing anything about the violin, now their violin playing skills has raised up to Grade 1 within 1.5 months time!

Of course, they have attended music lessons during primary school. Music notes reading are not a barrier for them and they handle it with ease. However, they still need to revise back the theory of music they've learn previously in order to recall back all the memories!

Also, they are planning to go for practical exam in the near future. Hooray to them~~ ^.^

Updates:
Ash just completed Grade 2 ABRSM exam, he has passed with Distinction in Violin performance. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

Violin "Happy Birthday" - Played By Beginner during 1st Lesson

One of my students played "Happy Birthday" song. My teaching method - special design for the beginners to play the very popular song during their 1st lesson! Yes, is 1st lesson only!! Mainly in tune, interesting!!

I believe if she practice everyday, the result will be far more better than this video! ^^

Keep it up my dear students!

Fiddle Time Starter for Young Violin Beginners

Recently, I'm teaching A String for my young students ranging from 6-8 years old. This book actually very suitable for them especially for those who have no idea on reading / naming the music notes! A very simple violin fingering chart drawing with colourful design which is successfully attracting the young students with easy understanding with my unique teaching method! 

Also, "Au Clair De La Lune" (By the light of the moon ) is a famous French folk song which can be found in Babies music recordings! Therefore, a moon was printed in this page! How detailed the author of this book would be! ^.^

My young students feel very comfortable in playing their violin with this little book. They handle it very well without difficulties~ Great to see their violin playing skills improving!! 

Source: Kathy and David Blackwell@Sample Page - The "A String" part from this book~  

Diploma in Music Performance

Dear all students who like to proceed to Diploma in Music, can call Ms Yap's for further information. 

Today received a call from a working adult lady (30) staying in Cheras, who wish to learn Piano Diploma from Ms Yap. Unfortunately, both ladies stay too far away from each other. Ms Yap unable to teach her! 

Thank you very much for your call and viewing Ms Yap's blog! Have a pleasure piano lessons with your future piano teacher and all the best to your Diploma in Piano Performance exam!!

Just to share some other information regarding diploma in piano performance where my students currently facing:

1. Time - you need to practice a lot in order to prepare for your diploma. It is no longer like Grade 8 previously. (no matter you are a student or working adult or married with babies/children, ensure you manage your time accordingly)

2. Scales - you still need to play some scales to brush up your fingering method, but not only limited to the repertoire. (Scales not teach/play during lesson, but you practice it yourself especially for those who stop after grade 8 for a long period.) 

3. Czerny 740 - This should be played during Grade 7-8, however, diploma students might need to play this as well. I bet during your grade 7-8, you haven't finish playing this book yet! **Except for those who have finish, you still need to replay/revise it!

4. Sonatas - Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert is a MUST to explore! Can't avoid this for sure! 

5. Analysis - you might need to do some analysis on the music score you play! not just purely play the notes and rhythm. But If you have forget the theory, oops...

6. Still have a lot to say! to be continued....

Canon in D~ Happy Birthday! Oh! Suzanna Songs!

I teach all kinds of songs! I don't just stick to usual violin lesson book only but always photocopy/buy a book with very popular songs and many famous folk songs too! 

We always listen these music in our life! Have fun!! 

                              

Most of the students always got to receive extra sheet music except beginners! Learn to play some famous songs! They are: 

1. Canon in D 卡农 - By Johann Pachelbel 

2. Oh! Suzanna 噢！苏珊娜

3. Happy Birthday! 生日快乐！

The "Happy Birthday" song can be played with D string (shown as above in the sheet music). However, you may switch to play with G string or A string, using the same fingering method shown above, and be able to perform the exact melody of our famous Birthday song！

Some students feel amazing how can a same song can be played with different string, cool & awesome~~

Some students Ms Yap will request them to play by ear too~

菊花台－Jay 小提琴

Recently one adult student, Grade 2, asked me regarding this song 菊花台 by Jay, violin version. He self study on it. The final part he played weird，because the last part, forget to add in G#s and C#, highlighted in red circles.

He doesn't aware that the key signature has changed from 2 sharps to 4 sharps (#). Students, whatever songs you are playing, must read the key signatures!

Is Good to ask your violin teacher questions, don't feel shy or weird to ask! Keep it up all students!