How to spot a child prodigy?

[thaicheow]

Hi,

I think I have seen almost similar topic in this forum, but simply couldn't find it.

Currently I have a very enthusiastic 7-yr-old girl. I consider her a fast learner, compare to my general students. I can't be sure that it is because of her hardworking approach, or really is her talents.

Before she transfers to me, she got an excellent distinction in ABRSM grade 1 exam (135 marks).

To be specific, currently I am doing all the scales with her (I teach scales by diagram). We are now stuck in all those major scales. The progress is pretty satisfying for a girl of her age. I want to do the major scales properly first b4 I move on to minor scales.

I also do Czerny op777 with her. And currently mostly Anna magdelena notebook, plus some miniature work by Mozart. I also do some disney theme songs with her, just to keep her interest. She also asking for me to do Fur Elise with her. So I do, original version.

That day, I was playing the Anna's minuet in G (BMW Anh II 114) and minuet in g minor (BMW Anh II 115) to her. She instinctively shouted that they sound almost the same. Though she can't tell what is so similar about them, I was very pleased at her response as most of my students just don't care much.

Her enthusiasm upon Czerny also surprised me. As most of my students find czerny boring, she happily play thru' all the czerny I assign to her. And she picks them up relatively fast. I suppose her ability to spot the similarity in czerny music has been helping her.

This girl definitely is musical. Her enthusiasm, musical sense and her ability to pick up new pieces fastly, have even stunned me somtimes. Moreover, she tends to memorize almost everything I assign to her, including the czerny.  Again, I am not sure this comes from her hardwork (repetitive practice til muscle memory can pick up the pieces), or just her gift.

The question is: how would I know whether she is a prodigy? I am not sure her achievement is coming from her hardwork or her talents? How one defines a child prodigy? Does perfect pitch a must to consider a prodigy? Or the phenomenal memory they have??

What should I do with her? Let her develope "normally"? Or accelerate her to higher grade (I definitely will do grade 3 with her next, but I am also thinking of grade 5)? If come to certain stage, should I suggesting her going to conservertoire, or join the gifted programme offer in local music school (but I heard the stress put on those kids are tremendous)?? She is a cheerful little girl. I don't feel like ruining her beautiful childhood.

You can say that my feeling is mixing. I am very mesmerized by her and greatful to have a student like her, but at the same time also feel scared. Scared that I will ruin her possibility to achieve something greater, bigger. I try to keep it low key and appear calm on my face bcoz I don't want to give her stress. But in my heart, I always feel excited in having a lesson with her.

What should I do??

Please help. Thanks very much.

[elevateme]

well, she sounds very talented and im sure shes very lucky to have such an encouraging teacher! however you must take into account that prodigies like rubinstein and kissin were playing back melodies on the piano that they heard from the age of about 5. and at 7 they would be playing quite difficult pieces.
i think a good step for her would be some burgmuller studies, op 100 (?) (i think they range from about grade 2 -6) or something along those lines. keep up with the scales, and encourage her to listen to as much as possible. you sound like a great teacher so i wish you the very best of luck with her, and who knows, perhaps one day she will be huge.

[steveie986]

I think there's a difference between "talented" and "prodigy." I certainly don't know for sure, but I think she's a motivated, talented student who should be kept on track. Adults (including teachers and parents) shouldn't feel pressured to label a gifted student "prodigy" and give her special treatment except in exceptional cases.

Playing lots of Bach is very good. You should also ask her to listen to as much classical music as possible. Teach her to sing everything she plays, especially the Bach.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Make sure to not overstress her. She might lose interest if pressed with a lot of repertoire. Never show your dissapointment in anger because she cares. Alot of students don't care, so it's pointless to scold them. However, in the cases of students that do care, it is very important to use humour and be with them. I know I would take it hard if I got yelled at, not saying that happened. My teacher does press alot on me, but only because we are both motivated. This child however, needs to be treated with an ease of manner, but a dedicated approach.

Concerning whether prodigy or not, you have to see that a prodigy is a very ambiguous term and each prodigy is different. She seems to be motivated and talented and that's good. Sometimes, even prodigies do not appreciate practice and don't practice. If in an instance you are upset, or had an argument, ameliorate the situation with a joke and be cheerfull.

[stevehopwood]

What should I do with her? Let her develope "normally"?

Yes. She sounds like a talented child but she is only a 7 year old. Just let progress happen at her speed - there is no need to push her. Pushing could result in spoiling the enjoyment she has playing the piano; do that and her progress will stop.

Steve 

[alwaystheangel]

even if she is, don't label her as a prodigy, that just damages them in the furture, people that know their IQ is astronomical at a young age, don't get along with others their age because they think they are superior ---> their socially retarded.  Be Careful!

[monsieurrenard]

Thaicheow,

Your student is talented, but definetly not a prodigy.


Some telltale sign of prodigies:
If the student can play back a song after hearing it once(amazing musical memory).
If the student can improvise very well and very early. (amazing musical intuition)
If the student can sight read most pieces proefficently. (amazing hand eye coordination)
If the student can easily transpose a piece, granted she knows both scale.
If the student can take any piece he/she knows, and play the right hand part with the left hand and vice versa (amazing musical coordination)

Chances are no regular teachers will ever encounter prodigies, because either the prodigy is autistic/mentally handicapped (which is most often the case) and will be sent to a special piano teacher who can deal with their behavior or the parents will discover the child's talent and seek a very famous teacher.

-Monsieur Le Renard.

[debussy symbolism]

You are referring to an autistic savant, however there are non autistic prodigies. Mozart is one of them.

[monsieurrenard]

You are referring to an autistic savant, however there are non autistic prodigies. Mozart is one of them.

No I wasn't, Liszt was able to do many of the things above without being autistic, all I said was that chances are, prodigies won't be your average 7-year old, and could even be mentally challenged.

-Monsieur Le Renard

[joyfulmusic]

Your response to this child is absolutely sacred in my opinion.  Don't change a thing.  The gods have given you each other as a gift.