Piano Lessons with Po
I offer online or in-person piano lessons from my Home Studio in Central Singapore (River Valley / Somerset).
Lessons are delivered one-to-one or as buddy or group lessons.
Find out more by clicking the tabs below!
Piano for Preschoolers (Ages 4 - 5)
Learning piano at a young age is a wonderful way to develop a positive, life-long relationship with music.
Similar to how they learn languages, preschoolers imitate what they hear and can memorise and reproduce sounds and rhythms from very early on. Learning the piano helps little ones to coordinate their bodies with their minds and allows for self-expression in a very joyful way.
What will my child be learning?
In piano lessons for preschoolers, I emphasise musical concepts rather than notation as many are still learning the alphabet and may not be able to read fluently yet. Our focus is not on reading music notation which can come later. We start music reading at what is known as a "pre-staff" level, where the focus is on finger numbers and directional understanding.
There is plenty we can do that doesn't involve reading and each of these areas are essential in laying a foundation for piano playing, including:
- Developing listening skills
- Translating aural sounds into playing sounds
- Keyboard geography - what are all the keys and how are they arranged?
- Pattern recognition
- Rhythm
- Improvisation
- Singing
My teaching style is encourage learning through play. At this age, making learning fun through games and songs helps to foster an enjoyment of piano which is essential for their continued learning as they get older.
What are the options for lessons?
I offer two piano lesson formats for preschoolers:
- Individual lessons (one-to-one) for 30 minutes weekly; or
- Mini Musicians - group lessons (3 to 5 students) for 45 minutes weekly.
Individual lessons are a good option if you already have a piano (acoustic or digital) at home or if you're willing to invest in one within the first month or two of starting lessons. This will allow your child to do some playing at home in between lessons and with your support they are likely to progress more quickly than in a group setting.
Group lessons are wonderful for music learning as children can learn from each other as well as from me. This option is great for children who enjoy social interaction as well as for children who benefit from more repetition and seeing others "go first" before trying out a new taught concept. By keeping group sizes small and with two pianos in my studio, every child is given the chance to play the piano during lessons. Learning social behaviours such as taking turns, constructive listening and helping each other out are additional benefits of group lessons. Most importantly, you don't need to have an instrument at home with group piano. There's no expectation of practice so this is a more relaxed way of introducing preschoolers to the piano.
My group lessons are based on the Mini Musicians Program developed by the very experienced and industry expert Nicola Cantan of Colourful Keys.
New Mini Musicians groups will be starting in September 2020 and registrations are now open. Register early to secure a spot for your child as timings and class sizes are limited!
Want to know more about Mini Musicians?
Try an Individual Lesson (first lesson is free)
Piano Lessons for Children
Learning to play the piano has a multitude of benefits and gives children the courage to try new things. It teaches them early on how diligent effort can lead to great outcomes. It also gives them a skill that they can enjoy for years to come.
My goal in teaching is to develop independent, well-rounded musicians who continue to play the piano for leisure even after their formal learning days are behind them.
Piano exams are not an end goal in my studio. They are optional for students who I think will benefit from the exam path.
I introduce a variety of methods and repertoire to keep children engaged and learning. Unlike many music schools that use only one book and method to teach all of their students, I bring together a variety of methods and introduce a range of books and materials to suit the learning style of the student. Moreover, children learn best when they are having fun so we play a lot of games in our lessons to reinforce new concepts and the kid love this!
Piano lessons with me allow children to explore the many facets of music learning, including:
- Rhythm and movement
- Vocal work such as singing
- Improvisation
- Composition
- Pop and chord arrangements
I encourage my students to listen to a wide range of music and am happy to teach them their favourite songs as part of our lessons.
My students are also invited to perform at a year-end concert for family and friends, to showcase all they have learnt during the year. This opportunity to perform in front of others is invaluable for building confidence and for learning how to perfect pieces for the stage. Like all things we do here, we keep things fun and light so they have a safe and nurturing environment to perform in.
Piano lessons for children at my studio are structured as individual lessons or buddy lessons on a weekly basis.
Individual Lessons
Individual one-on-one lessons are either 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length, driven by the age of the student and their level of ability:
- Ages 4 – 6 = 30 minutes
- Ages 7 – 9 = 45 minutes
- Ages 10 and up = 45 or 60 minutes, depending on the level of the student
I will recommend adjustments to the lesson length if needed based on the first few lessons.
Buddy Lessons
Buddy lessons consist of both solo and shared components, giving students the benefits of individual and social learning.
The shared component of the lesson is shared with another student of a similar age and involves doing activities such as musical theory, duet playing, composition and games.
The solo component focuses mainly on technique and playing pieces.
Buddy lessons are structured as 50 minute lessons (30 minutes solo, 20 minutes shared).
An example of a buddy lesson structure looks like this:
- Chloe starts her solo session for 30 minutes.
- Emma arrives at the studio and learns together with Chloe for 20 minutes.
- Chloe leaves and Emma continues with her solo session for 30 minutes.
Buddy lessons can be a good option for siblings or friends, as it encourages social learning from each other and makes lessons even more fun!
For ease of pick-up and drop-offs, students are very welcome to stay at the studio during the solo session of their partner as there is plenty of space for further piano work or other activities. There is a weighted digital piano with headphones they can use, and desk space if they want to read, write, draw or use their iPads.
What age is best for Buddy Lessons?
This depends on whether the student will be in the studio during their buddy’s solo session. If so, they need to be able to occupy themselves independently during the 30 minutes that their buddy is receiving my full teaching attention. Usually this would be at age 7 and above but I’m not prescriptive about this as every child is different!
Exams
Exams are a great motivator for some and provide an assessment of a student’s progress at a point in time. However, exams are not a requirement of my studio and don’t form the basis of my teaching. I don’t believe in pushing a child to sit two or three exams a year at the risk of sacrificing their enjoyment of learning. Piano doesn’t need to be rushed.
Nonetheless, if I think an exam would be beneficial for your child’s progress (and some respond well to a bit of pressure) and/or if you are keen for them to take exams, I can certainly coach them through the syllabus and prepare them thoroughly.
In Singapore, most students take exams through one of two piano examination boards:
- Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). ABRSM is the UK’s largest music education body and is internationally recognised. Practical piano exams can typically be taken at three different session times a year where students are assessed using a universal marking criteria by examiners from the UK.
- Trinity College London (Trinity). Trinity is a leading international exam board and independent education charity that has been providing assessments around the world since 1877. Practical piano exams are offered twice a year in Singapore and students are assessed by examiners based in Singapore using the Trinity assessment criteria.
More Questions?
Check out the Lesson FAQ’s or contact me for more information!
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Adult Piano Lessons
Is the piano something you've always wanted to learn but you didn't have the opportunity to as a child?
Or are you coming back to it after many years of absence, looking for a different style of teaching to the traditional one you had before?
No matter what your story is, playing the piano is definitely a skill you can learn as an adult. Your developed motor skills and ability to understand more technical concepts means you can progress quite quickly, compared to a beginner starting out at a young age.
However, unlike children, adults have a lot more going on in their lives and sometimes piano needs to take a back seat. Finding time to practise and to come to lessons isn't always easy, but that doesn't mean you should forget about learning the piano altogether.
Flexibility
My lessons for adults are designed to be flexible. I encourage adults to learn, even if you can’t commit to weekly lessons. We can decide on a pace and schedule that suits you.
Most importantly, if there is a specific goal you have in mind or a particular facet of piano you are most interested in, let’s discuss it. All my lesson plans are customised to suit the student, therefore knowing what you’re interested in means I can design lessons you will enjoy and get the most out of. After all, there’s no point in learning 30 scales if all you really want to learn is one song!
What do you want to learn?
How long is a lesson?
If you’re completely new to piano, I recommend 45 minute lessons. This gives us time for a solidly paced lesson covering a range of materials and concepts.
If you have played piano before and are at a late beginner / early intermediate level, 60 minute lessons would be preferable to allow time for longer pieces and to explore more music that you really enjoy. Learning more material each lesson will also result in faster progress.
How often should I have a lesson?
If your schedule permits, weekly lessons are ideal.
This guarantees that you will be at the piano at least once a week, which is important if you struggle to find time in between lessons to sit and play. It means that new concepts that you learn in a lesson won’t be as quickly forgotten and we can build on foundations week-to-week.
Fortnightly lessons are also an option and these work best for those who are very independent learners and are able to find time in between lessons to practice and work through materials on their own. This structure is better suited to those with some musical or piano foundation rather than brand new beginners.
I travel a lot… can I have irregular lessons?
Yes you can!
I won’t be able to hold a regular lesson spot for you but you can let me know when you’re in town and available and I can usually make it happen. I suggest having at least two lessons per month just to keep things moving but this is entirely up to you.
You can purchase classes as 8 or 12 lesson bundles, giving you the freedom to use them according to your schedule.
More Questions?
Check out the Lesson FAQ’s or contact me for more information!