Piano journey ~ the mixed feelings

The music journey for my 6 year old Clarisse started right from the womb. I was having piano lessons through my pregnancy. And I thought is a good form of 胎教.

Clarisse loves music and dance from a tender age of 2 years old. She can even sing Chinese oldies and pick up a new song when she hears it.

We are very glad as I believe music in all kinds helps a child in their learning. We signed her up for group music lessons when she was 2.5 years old. She was always an active participant in the class.

A year later in 2015, Clarisse embarked on her piano journey formally. I chose piano mainly because it is the only musical instrument that requires the left and right brain to work. It is as useful as the popular left right brain classes.

She picked up steadily and soon after she is familiar with the notes and can play with both hands. She is exposed to Christmas songs and songs like Mickey Mouse March, Happy Birthday, It's a small world. It is not a simple task and mommy is proud of her.

She performed in two recitals confidently.

Piano practice with mommy is done without complains.

Towards the end of 2016, her piano teacher introduced exam pieces to her and scales and sight reading from early 2017. Lots of practice thus begun. Still there were no complains despite there are times when our home practices reach "breaking point". Mommy loses her sanity several times over piano.. But we persist.. And Clarisse gets better...

I thought I am so blessed..

The first complain, impatience and even teary eyes episodes came suddenly in October 2017. And you said you are not good in piano, as Mommy always scolds you. Mommy was definitely taken aback and honestly fearful. Clarisse even feels like giving up in a few occasions and said piano is the hardest, harder than Chinese and even Math enrichment MPM. I never thought that piano will be tough for you as compared to school subjects.

Clarisse, Mommy believes you have some talent in piano. As much as I wish for you to continue, overcome the obstacles and be able to play a music instrument, Mommy will not force you if you decide not to continue piano. But as I mention to you, practice makes perfect. We should not give up anything in life easily.

In the meantime, Mommy will try best to help you rebuild your confidence. I hope you can understand that to play a piece or scales repeatedly does not mean you are not good. When mommy reprimands you does not also mean you are not good.

From now till the grade 1 exams in Feb-Mar next year, I pray for your patience, determination and perseverance.

Canon in D - by Johann Pachelbel

Just got the score from teacher last Sunday. Very nice piece...

I have started to practise yesterday...hope will master it soon. Yippee!

Enjoy the piece... this lady played very well. :)

Passed!!

Yeah I have passed my Grade 3 exam.. A little achievement for me :)

I don't think I have time to commit for higher levels now. So I shall learn to play songs, duets with teacher. Most importantly...is to enjoy!

I picked Fur Elise, by Beethoven during lessons last Sunday. I came across this piece when I was 15 years old... After 15 years, I am able to learn to play.... Glad that it happened! 

Cheers~~

ABRSM Piano Exam Grade 3

Today is the day... been preparing for Grade 3 piano exams since beginning of the year. Just for today!

From clueless to basics and to all geared up.... my piano learning journey has come to this far. I am really glad that I have the opportunity to learn classical piano, performed in a recital and to take the exam now.

In Singapore, many parents and students are into "paper chase". Same goes for piano exams. Just the certificate itself...can help the child with his/her secondary school education.

For me, it is all about realising a little childhood dream. For an experience...and hopefullly an achievement.

I tried to calm my nerves this morning. With previous experience in stage performance, I am able to control my emotions better. :)

The examiner is a westerner. She is kind and it makes me comfortable in the exam room. But I still could see my fingers trembling on the keys. Hee! I had a few slips...but made sure I move on.. Maintained a confident front and a smile! I remembered what my teacher taught....

At the end of the exam, the examiner smiled and thanked me for playing. Although I really hope she can give me at least a pass, I will take it as a good experience if I don't make it.

Like what teacher said, piano practical exams are very subjective. Different examiners have different opinions and it all depends on that day. Luck plays an important part!

Hopefully she is satisfied with my performance today.... Cheers!!

Beautiful Piano Recital ~ My piece: 风之丘

For the past one week, I practised very hard for the piece.... I know I have to reach the level whereby I will not forget under any circumstances or pressure. I have to overcome the mental block on stage!! I even practise with my shoes on..... to make sure I can pedal well....

I tell myself I can do it.... enjoy playing the song....an experience....no matter what the result is...

22nd Nov 09...the big day arrived. In the morning, I went to teacher's house for final practice. I am not nervous anymore... Happy! Went back home for a while and went for house viewing.... After that, went back home and rest and practise for the last time.... But I am tired...Felt better after a cup of nice coffee....

Hubby kept telling me not to be nervous and jia you..... Teacher said if I tell myself I am able to do it, I will.... Actually I am not nervous...Kekekee.... Quite relaxed...

I reached the auditorium earlier and got a chance to practise on the grand piano. I felt better.... I can feel the keys and pedal.... Another performer said it was good... :) By 7pm, my family arrived...Cousin Russell's family arrived too.....

I was the fourth performer after the 15 mins intermission. During the break, I went to look for my family. To my surprise, my brother gave me a card... It has everyone's wishes and encouragement in it! So sweet.....

I played better this time. Although I played some wrong notes, I tried my best to finish the last part smoothly and gracefully as what Teacher told me. I am so so glad that I overcome the mental block.. My mind did not went blank...

We took alot of pictures after that.... Hubby bought Delifrance sandwich for me... He was afraid that I will be hungry... Hahaha... Yummy!!

It was a memorable night..... Nachtmusik 2009......

Quote what Teacher said:
Beethoven mentioned that wrong notes can be forgiven but the wrong mood will not be forgiven....

Going on stage is not only about showing off your skills and pieces...It's also about stretching your existing limits and exploring into your new limits!

Thank you, Wenxin! Thank you, my family for the utmost support.... (",)

Piano Recital Rehearsal

Piano teacher and 4 other teachers organised a piano recital at the Young Musician School (YMS). Their selected students will perform...

Yesterday was the rehearsal. Actually I was not nervous and was happy to see many young children performers. Cute and talented.... I think I am the oldest performer! Embarrassing!! When my cousin, Russell and I entered the auditorium, he went "Wahhhhhh"..... Amazed by the grand piano.. Luckily we were prepared that we will play on the grand piano and have confirmed with teacher in the morning.

Russell is the 4th and I am the 23rd performer. I was enjoying the pieces.... Classical, Jazz, Pop..... Solos, Duets, Piano with Violin.... Good mix! When the 22nd performer was performing, my heart raced.... I told myself not to be nervous and I felt okay. But when I sat on the piano bench and play, I was surprised that the keys are so light....and I could not step on the pedal.... The keys are floating! My mind went blank.... The sound is so so soft.... I played the second note wrongly and I could not catch up..... Finally I decided to play the bar that I am most confident of and try to finish the piece with "confidence".... I remembered teacher say we cannot show that we make mistakes and have to cover up beautifully.....

It was my birthday and I played badly... So upset.... I know Yamaha pianos are like that...Light keys.... I don't like the touch.... Russell felt the same and he could not play some notes. He said the performer after him said the same thing. I guess we need to try to get used to the piano and calm ourselves down....

Keeping my fingers crossed.... My family and Russell's family will be going to the recital too...More audiences next week.... I really hope I can play better.... Gambatte!! :)

音樂與我

從小我就愛上音樂. 最愛鋼琴. 記得當時外婆家有個玩具鋼琴, 我好喜歡彈.... 第一首學會的兒歌是"Doe a deer.. a female deer... Ray, a drop of golden sun...". 是舅婆教的. 後來, 在鄰居家聽到大哥哥彈貝多芬的"Fur Elise", 好喜歡, 好羨慕...

一年半前, 在機緣巧合下, 我到老師家學琴. 去年, 家婆也送我一台鋼琴, 做為結婚禮物. 很感激她實現了我的夢想..... 我與音樂結下了緣分... 雖然, 我不知道是否有機會參加三級考試, 不過我已經很高興能夠學會音符, 能夠彈Classical 與 Pop了... :) 不過, 真希望可以參加考試, 拿到證書...

最近, 我們在找房子時, 我正好留意到靠近媽媽家的公寓. 四层樓高, 顏色很美, 很有家的感覺... 後來才發現它的主題竟然是音樂! 真是太巧了.... 進去參觀後, 覺得真是太太美了..... 還有好多歐式的雕刻.... 歐洲花園與音樂的配合! 那位設計師真的是太棒了!

我們不知道能不能買下這裡的屋子... 看看是否有緣分吧..... What is meant to be, will be...... (",)

Piano Lesson 1 .....

I finally attended my first piano lesson last Saturday. It was actually scheduled on 2nd Feb, but my aunt reminded me that the teacher will be going back to Malaysia for CNY the following week. So I arranged for the make up class last Saturday....

I was excited and a little nervous last Friday... Hee! My aunt informed me on Friday evening that my cousin's piano lesson will be brought forward an hour earlier as the student before him could not make it for lessons. That means my lesson will also be brought forward an hour earlier - 11 am instead of 12 pm... Hmm...So I planned to get up at 8 am and leave the house at 9.30 am...

My teacher's place is at Jurong West, just opposite Jurong Point. I need to take the mrt to Jurong East, and subsequently board the train towards Boon Lay. As I have searched Streetdirectory.com for the location, I have a rough idea of getting there. There are some renovation works at Jurong Point and I had to go in the shopping centre and exit in order to get to Jurong West. It was a big detour. All went well and I reached my teacher's house at 10.40am...

I chatted with my aunt before my cousin finished his lessons at 11.30am. Finally it is my turn... We had our lessons at the balcony area. It is air-conditioned and quite comfortable... When I put my hand on the piano, I really felt unbelievable.... (",)

My teacher started some small talk with me. Her name is Wen Xin and she is a mother of 3. She asked if I wanted to learn piano for interest and to play songs or I wanted to take the challenge of taking exams. I told her I wanted to take exams/certifications. She told me she will teach me classical and some pop music and we shall see how to proceed...Wow!!!..My areas of interest...

So what I have learned in lesson 1:

- Nails preferably must be short (Lucky mine not very long..Hahahaha)
- Must sit straight, cannot slouch (Must get used to it!)

- Notes for the right and left hand (Got to memorize!!!)
- Counting
- Reading the notes on scores and "matching" them to the piano
- Play songs using separate hands and both hands (Very challenging for both hands)

My lesson ended in an hour. All went very well and it was really enjoyable. Teacher continued chatting with me after that. She taught music in a local music school after completed her A levels and took her diploma in music. She also took her honors in music from London School of Music and she lived in London for 3 years. She was lucky as she had her ROM and went to London with her then fiance. He was studying Engineering in another school. She had wanted to stay for another year in London for her Masters but decided not to as she wanted to return to Singapore for marriage....

Hmm... Now I have to practise on what I have learned.... Looking forward to the next lesson...Yippee!!!

~ Realising a childhood dream ~

In my last post, I talked about my extended family's gathering activity.... Yeap! We managed to organise street soccer for the guys and badminton for the girls on the last Saturday of 2007... It was quite fun... After the games, we went to a farm place near Choa Chu Kang...Ehhh...can't remember the name.. My bf had wanted to go there to look at puppies. But now there is only a shop left and it was already closed by the time we reached. Luckily it was not a wasted trip as we discovered goats and rabbits as we walked around. We bought vegetables to feed the goats and carrots to feed the rabbits. They were so kawaii.... Hee!

Ohhh... My childhood wish...dream....Hmmm.....

My bf and I went to my aunt's place to help her to fix her pc on new year's day... My cousin is playing the piano and to my surprise he has scores for songs by Richard Clayderman. He is still learning to play... The music was so beautiful... I was really excited! So I told my aunt that I have checked out Yamaha and there is no replacement class if I miss a lesson... She then talked casually about my cousin's new piano teacher. While chatting, an idea struck me... I would like to learn from her and thus I asked my aunt to check with the teacher if she is available on Saturdays. My bf is planning to learn golf and so we can each learn something on Saturdays...

Yesterday, my aunt told me that she has confirmed with the teacher that there is a time slot for me at 12 pm every Saturday. The duration is 45 mins per lesson and fee is $160 for 4 lessons. Sounds reasonable right? Hahaha...

I could borrow the electric piano from my cousin to practise at home as my aunt has bought a big musical piano for him...

My first lesson is on Feb 2nd... Yippee!!... I love the piano since young but my family could not afford for piano lessons.. I remember how I used to play children's songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old McDonald on the little "toy" piano when I was a little girl....

I hope if it is not too late for me now.. If all goes well, I can pass the highest grade 8 in time to come... With grade 8 certification, I can become a piano teacher too..... ; p

Pop Piano @ Yamaha

Last Sunday was quite a fun-filled and tiring day ......

My bf and I met up with his childhood friend, Raymond and his wife, Rima for high tea at Ellenborough cafe @ Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel. Guess what?! We had the meal for free. Actually it was all thanks to the hard work of my bf and Raymond. We went to the Tanjong beach at Sentosa in March for Swissotel Family Day. Rima enrolled my bf in the sand castle building competition while I was enrolled in the treasure hunt ..... His team won the first prize and we got 4 complimentary high tea vouchers ...... The spread at the high tea was not too bad .....

Here's the great piece of work ...... "IR @ Sentosa" :

Oops .... I forgot that I should talk about pop piano ....... Haa!

My bf and I planned to shop around at Plaza Sing and head towards Merchant Court at about 3 pm .... Then I walked past Yamaha and wanted to check on adult piano classes ...... The friendly lady began to introduce the available courses when we asked if there are any courses for adults who want to learn from scratch ..... She recommended the "Pop Piano" course whereby we will learn the basics and also learn to play pop songs and traditional tunes .... Sounds interesting ...... But there is one concern about their courses ..... There are no replacement classes if you can't make it for the class on that day ..... Haiz ..

Overall, the fee is quite reasonable. They have group and individual classes. For individual classes, the fee is $84 per month for a duration of approximately 6 months ..... Classes are held once a week for one hour and there are evening classes too ..... I was so tempted to sign up ......

But I still need to attend Japanese classes now .... So I am afraid that I may not have the time to take up another course ...... Hopefully by next year, I am able to take up piano classes when I complete my nihongo ......

Yeah! So happy .... at least i took a step ..... nearer to fulfilling my childhood dream now. Looking forward to it ...........