New here, hello! :-)

[ashmum]

Hello. I'm new here and have signed up on behalf of my daughter and to learn, seek advice and share with her.

She turned nine years old in September this year and is a passionate, dedicated player who hopes to play professionally in the future.  She took her grade one in December 2012, grade two in May this year both gained distinctions, and due to sit her grade three next month.

Basically, I know she's good and she loves it, so finding a forum where there are experienced musicians is a God send because I find it hard to keep up and see things without 'mummy-rose-coloured-glasses' ;-)

Looking forward to our time here :-)

Shaz and Ash

[faulty_damper]

Welcome!  I never took piano exams/grades so I have no idea what that's like.  It seems detrimental in the long run to me since they aren't learning for the sake of learning but to get kudos.  (AKA: extrinsic motivation.)  But that's me.  Also funny how none of the piano majors back in music school ever took exams before they attended.  In fact, most of the people I knew who did take grades (ABRSM) never went to school for it.  I always thought that was interesting how they never pursued it academically.  Maybe they had better interests since they all passed Grade 8.  They weren't great,  musically or technically, either, and they all just seemed to stop playing once they passed their G8 exam.  Anyway, I hope you and your daughter don't get caught up on grades and such since the real proof is in the pudding, not on a piece of paper.

[ashmum]

Hi faulty damper.

Ash is generally very achievement/exam driven academically intrinsically herself. Honestly, it drives me batty sometimes. Playing piano is something very 'safe' for her when the rest of the world is just too much.  It's her haven.

I do feel in a lot of ways that saying 'I can play grade...' Is a kudos statement for many people, but I think some places/employers use it as a standard benchmark so it's just useful as a statement of 'I can play to this quality' kind of like CV statement.

I try to make sure she has a more free, folky, intrinsic influence too, just to keep her from falling too deep into the academic mindset.

I guess having a place like this opens us to other ideas, influences and experience :-)

[senanserat]

Hi faulty damper.

Ash is generally very achievement/exam driven academically intrinsically herself. Honestly, it drives me batty sometimes. Playing piano is something very 'safe' for her when the rest of the world is just too much.  It's her haven.

I do feel in a lot of ways that saying 'I can play grade...' Is a kudos statement for many people, but I think some places/employers use it as a standard benchmark so it's just useful as a statement of 'I can play to this quality' kind of like CV statement.

I try to make sure she has a more free, folky, intrinsic influence too, just to keep her from falling too deep into the academic mindset.

I guess having a place like this opens us to other ideas, influences and experience :-)

Spice up her repertoire then, not just classical and I am not talking about "modern music" like God Forbid Lady gaga or whatever kids listen this days I mean explore the various composers left in the dark as well, one can only hear Fur Elise one so many times...

[faulty_damper]

I have to disagree that Lady Gaga makes bad music.  She's popular for a reason, and it's not just her shock appearance.  Her music, while not inspirational, is pop-y and a lot of people like listening to it.  Yes, there are a lot of bad arrangements of pop songs, mostly published by the publishers, but a good musician can turn it into a very good arrangement, even if it's out of reach for most amateur pianists.

If your daughter likes to listen to pop music, and has a desire to play it, then definitely encourage it.  I'm not classical music bigot like some people.

[indianajo]

Welcome. I'm afraid the grades and exams were invented after I learned to play, but I'm glad your daughter is making progress at a something she enjoys.  I enjoyed making progress at piano after being a slow learner at common sports like ball games and swimming.  I hope she and you enjoy a range of do it yourself interests. 

[ashmum]

Spice up her repertoire then, not just classical and I am not talking about "modern music" like God Forbid Lady gaga or whatever kids listen this days I mean explore the various composers left in the dark as well, one can only hear Fur Elise one so many times...
[/qu ote]

Hi senanserat :-)

She's starting to develop a range in her repertoire. Though her teacher is very traditionally classic. Myself, I give her a huge rock/metal influence, but we also listen to old jazz and swing, and traditional folky - celidah, English/Irish dance. Not huge popular music people in this house, she's just not that interested.

What would you recommend for non classical but non pop culture pieces?