Learning to play the piano has numerous benefits for kids. Besides providing them with a talent for life, learning to play the piano can also greatly enrich a child’s life by improving their mental agility, self-discipline and creativity.

Despite the benefits, many parents find it difficult to inspire their children to practise and remain interested in their piano lessons in Singapore. Read on to discover how you can inspire your child’s piano education.

1. Set realistic goals

One of the best ways to keep your kid engaged and interested in piano lessons is to set attainable and realistic goals. Children benefit from having goals because they have something to strive for and may use them to gauge their development.

However, it’s crucial to make sure the goals you set for your child are realistic and appropriate for their level of ability. You can work with your child’s piano teacher to set goals that align with your child’s abilities and interests.

2. Make piano practice fun

Making progress in one’s piano education requires consistent practice. Setting aside a specific time each day for piano practice will help you as a parent to motivate your child to practise.

But piano practice doesn’t have to be tedious and repetitive. You can make piano practice fun by adding mini games, challenges and even rewards. For instance, you may set up a points system wherein your child earns points for practising for a predetermined period of time. When they reach a particular number of points, they can select a prize, such as a favourite treat, a fun item, or an enjoyable activity. This will also motivate them to practise harder!

3. Positive feedback

By recognising their successes, applauding their efforts, and celebrating their progress, giving your child encouraging remarks might really help to motivate them to continue their piano studies.

Additionally, you may offer constructive criticism on what they are doing well and where they might make improvements. This helps your child feel valued and supported in their piano education journey.

4. Use technology

Technology has revolutionised piano education altogether. These days, the market is flooded with piano games and applications that may make learning more entertaining and engaging, such as apps that teach kids how to read music, recognise notes, and perform simple melodies. Some applications even offer time and rhythm feedback, which is quite helpful for students.

Technology may be a great tool for teaching piano, but it’s crucial to utilise it sparingly. In order to improve their technique and touch sensitivity, students must continue to practise on a conventional piano. Technology should be viewed as an addition to traditional practice, not as a substitute.

5. Encourage creativity and expression

It’s crucial to foster creativity and expression even if practising the piano frequently includes performing other people’s music. The development of a child’s musical ear and their ability to think creatively can both be aided by encouraging creativity. In addition, it can aid in their personal expression and the development of their own distinctive musical genre.

Encourage your child to try out different musical genres and styles. You can also encourage them to improvise over a written melody or chord sequence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, inspiring your child’s piano education requires patience, dedication, and creativity. With the 5 tips we have shared above, you can help your child develop a love for music and the piano. Remember, learning to play the piano is a journey, and the most important thing is to support your child every step of the way!

For one of the best piano schools in the country, check out Wowpianowow. We offer excellent piano lessons for children and will work alongside you to ensure that your child is motivated to learn and practise. Our qualified teacher, Jenny, has over 15 years of experience in helping children excel at learning the piano.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact us today!

Piano players who want to advance their education and career in music can earn a distinguished certification by passing the London College of Music (LCM) Diploma piano exam. While there are many benefits of choosing LCM for your Diploma piano exam, those unfamiliar with the process can feel intimidated and overwhelmed.

In this article, we’ll address some of the most prevalent questions concerning the LCM Diploma piano exam.

1. What is the LCM Diploma piano exam?

The LCM Diploma piano exam is a performance-based qualification for pianists who have achieved a high level of technical proficiency and musicality. It is an internationally recognised professional credential and qualification.

2. What are the qualifications for taking the exam?

You must have passed the Grade 8 piano exam in order to sit for the LCM Diploma piano exam. A musical programme that satisfies the exam’s standards must also have been created. The programme must showcase a high degree of technical competence and musicianship, as well as music from many genres and time periods.

3. What sets LCM apart from other Diploma piano programmes?

The LCM exam allows students to record exam pieces as separate videos, which is great news for students who have difficulties making it through 20 to 30 minutes of piano playing without mistakes.

Additionally, the LCM certificate is widely recognised. Individuals who have been awarded a certification from LCM are often employed by local music schools and piano agencies. LCM Music Diplomas are also automatically granted credit value and are mapped against the BMus and MMus degrees offered by the University of West London. In other words, it serves as an excellent stepping stone for students looking to pursue Degrees in Music programmes after the ‘O’ Level examinations.

In fact, according to the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), the DipLCM in Music Performance and Teaching is equivalent to a first year undergraduate degree module.

For a more detailed breakdown of the broad equivalences between UWLQ qualifications and other qualifications, you may refer to the table below:

Source: London College of Music Examinations Music Diplomas Syllabus document

4. What do you need to submit for the exam?

When submitting your recording, besides the video files and programme notes, you also need to upload a copy of your identity card (IC) so that they know it’s you who is taking the exam. Be sure to include both the front and back of your IC in your submission!

5. What repertoire should you choose?

You are required to choose 1 piece from the concert repertoire for the Diploma concert programme. Generally, students enjoy Bach’s prelude and Fugue in D Major BWV 850.

Besides choosing the pieces from the repertoire list, candidates are also allowed to have their own choice of a piece that is out of the syllabus. Of course, the chosen piece must be equivalent to the Diploma standard.

6. Can you repeat those sections with the repeat sign?

According to the LCM website, da capo and dal segno signs should be observed, which means that you need to repeat the passage if you see these signs. Short repeats like 2 systems or lower should also be observed but longer repeats should not be performed, unless otherwise stated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pianists seeking to advance their education and profession in music may consider taking the LCM Diploma piano exam. We hope that our comprehensive article has answered your questions surrounding the examination and will help ease your nerves.

Among the many piano schools in the country, Wowpianowo diploma music courses stand out as one of the best, offering a range of piano lessons in Singapore, including DipLCM courses. Our diploma music courses have also been awarded the Most Engaging Piano Teacher of 2023 Award.

Here at Wowpianowow, our piano teacher, Jenny, helps our Diploma students record their exam pieces at her recording studio, which is equipped with an excellent microphone that can eliminate background noise and capture sensitivities like contrasts of dynamics, tone colours and more.

To learn more, feel free to contact us today.

Besides familiarising yourself with the topics tested in the Diploma piano practical exam, it is also crucial to select the right examination board. There are 3 main Diploma piano exam boards, namely, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Trinity College and the London College of Music (LCM). These exam boards are headquartered in the United Kingdom and are well-known globally. All 3 of these examination boards in the UK are authorised by Ofqual to grant diplomas and graded music exams as part of the National Qualifications Framework. In Singapore, certificates from these exam boards are well-recognised.

While most people are more familiar with ABRSM and Trinity College, LCM is just as good, or arguably even better! The London College of Music (LCM), which was founded in 1887, is one of the oldest and most reputable exam boards for the creative arts and is actually the only one to be affiliated with the University of West London – one of the top universities in the nation.

So, the question lies, what sets LCM apart from ABRSM and Trinity College?

In this article, we explore some of the main benefits of choosing the London College of Music for your Diploma piano exam.

1. Ease and flexibility

One of the main advantages of choosing the London College of Music for your Diploma piano exam is the ease and flexibility it offers. LCM proudly offers digital exams as a flexible and accessible option for candidates. These digital recorded exams offer total flexibility and candidates are able to record their exam pieces separately and submit them as different videos. On the other hand, other exam boards require candidates to play all exam pieces in 1 continuous and seamless video.

2. Recognition

The London College of Music is one of the schools under the University of West London. As one of the largest specialist music and performing arts institutions in the UK, it has been ranked as the second most modern university in London for music by The Guardian University Guide. A certificate from the LCM is unique as it is one issued by a reputable university, whereas certificates issued by other exam boards are from music colleges.

3. More enjoyable process

Finally, the London College of Music offers a greater selection of exam pieces that you may perform. These pieces offer greater variety and are typically much more enjoyable to play. This makes the days leading up to the examinations and the entire process in general more pleasant. Not only would this make preparing for your Diploma piano exam less stressful, but it would also motivate you to practice even harder to achieve excellence!

Conclusion

And there we have it — 3 major advantages of choosing the London College of Music for your Diploma piano exam. While it is true that the ABRSM and Trinity College is much more well-known and popular, the benefits associated with choosing the LCM make it an excellent choice.

If you are looking to get your piano certification, consider enrolling yourself in Diploma piano classes with Wowpianowow! Jenny, our esteemed piano instructor, uses a distinctive method when teaching. This is because Jenny tailors her lessons to each student’s skills and progress because she believes that every student learns at a different pace. In fact, our latest batch of students has passed with flying colours and achieved high scores on their diploma piano exam.

To learn more about our piano lessons in Singapore, feel free to contact us today!

Wowpianowow is beyond proud and honoured to have clinched the top achievement in the APAC Insider Singapore Business Awards as the “Most Engaging Piano Teacher Of 2023”. Particularly, our Diploma music courses and piano lessons in Singapore have gained recognition for being engaging and enjoyable.

The APAC Insider Singapore Business Awards is a programme that seeks to honour a range of diligent businesses and individuals that work to advance the economy of our thriving city. Judged solely on merit, the Singapore Business Awards takes pride in conducting a methodical judging process. With a goal to reward businesses purely on demonstrable excellence in their area of expertise, products and services, the in-house research team carefully analyses all information available to the public.

As one of the most reputable piano schools in Singapore, Wowpianowow offers a range of piano lessons – from ABRSM music theory classes to piano Diploma courses and even lessons for kids. What sets our programmes apart is the small class sizes. We have a maximum capacity of 4 students per class to ensure that students are able to receive the individualised guidance and attention they need to improve. Our decorated professional piano teacher, Jenny, has over 15 years of experience teaching Trinity and ABRSM course students.

Having received a Bachelor’s Music degree from the University of Wales and a Master’s degree in Music from the Johannes Brahms Conservatory, coupled with the fact that she adopts a unique philosophy in her piano teaching to ensure that students not only achieve excellent results but also have fun, it is no wonder Jenny has been awarded the prestigious award of “Most Engaging Piano Teacher Of 2023”!

If you are wondering how to choose the best piano school, look no further than Wowpianowow. The awards we have won are a testament to our commitment to providing you with nothing but the best when you choose to learn with us. Contact us today to learn more about our piano lessons.

While there are many benefits of piano lessons for kids, there is no denying that they can be incredibly challenging.

Every child learns at their own pace. As with anything, some children may pick up the skill of playing the piano much quicker than others. If you have concerns about your child’s slow progress in piano, understanding the possible causes is crucial.

In this article, we discuss some of the possible reasons why your child may be lagging behind in their piano development, and what you can do to assist them.

1. Lack of motivation

Lack of interest or motivation is one of the most frequent causes of a child’s piano development being delayed. It is crucial to remember that learning to play the piano takes a lot of practice, discipline, and commitment. Your child may find it difficult to advance if they are not enthusiastic about performing the piano or does not feel motivated to practise frequently.

It is imperative for parents to speak to their kids and learn how they feel about piano classes. Urge them to voice their views and give them encouragement to keep going.

2. Inconsistent and insufficient practice

Consistent practice is a part of music learning and is necessary to become a proficient pianist.

One of the reasons why your child’s progress may be slower than that of their peers is that they do not practise enough. A lack of practice will result in your child being stuck in their progress and unable to advance forward. The curriculum for piano lessons will also be disrupted as the teacher will have to spend time going over what was covered in previous lessons.

With that being said, setting up a regular practice plan and encouraging your child to adhere to it is crucial. Try getting your child to practise at least one hour per day and reward their efforts to motivate them to stay on track.

3. A weak foundation in music education

Learning to perform the piano requires a lot of reading of written music. Your child’s progress may be slower if they are having trouble reading music. It is critical to work together with your child’s piano instructor to create a strategy for enhancing their ability to interpret music.

Utilising flashcards, workbooks, or applications that concentrate on music notation and sight-reading will also help your kid practice at home.

4. Differences in learning styles

Every child has a different and unique learning style. While some kids learn best visually, others may learn best audibly or even kinaesthetically. If your child is falling behind in their piano progress, it may be because the teaching approach does not align with how they learn.

In such cases, consult your child’s piano teacher about altering their teaching style to better meet your child’s requirements. You can also experiment with various training techniques at home to see which ones are most effective for your child. For instance, some kids might find it helpful to observe online piano lessons, while other kids might prefer to learn through engaging games.

5. Inexperienced teachers

Children may also make delayed progress due to inexperienced teachers. Inexperienced piano instructors might lack the knowledge or abilities required to teach piano successfully, or they might not be able to modify their teaching methods to suit the requirements of specific students. As a result, children might not get the direction and assistance they need to advance, and they might even get upset or disheartened by their lack of success.

Thus, selecting a qualified, experienced and professional piano teacher in Singapore who can provide support for your child’s learning and development is vital.

Conclusion

There could be a number of causes for your child’s delayed piano progress. You can support your child’s learning and help them realise their fullest potential as a pianist by being aware of the potential factors that might be affecting their development and taking proactive measures to help them.

Here at Wowpianowow, we offer excellent piano lessons in Singapore for children. Our experienced and qualified teacher, Jenny, works with each student to ensure that they are motivated to practise and learn. With over 15 years of experience, she has developed a method of teaching that is easy and engaging. Under her guidance, your child will be able to excel in learning the piano.

Contact us today for more information.