[esj]

My little girl has started to play the piano in October/November. (private tuition) She is doing well but I have to push her to practice not because she is not interested but because the lack of time/she is very playfull/I am working full time (single mum and kids do not have much time at home plus weekend and holidays to dad etc.

The Teacher is preparing her now for the debut rockschool exam. It is fun playing boogie woogie but I am not sure of making my daughter a rock star. I come from a classical music loving family and hope she will play some classical music in time. Should I talk to the teacher or does it not matter at this stage.

Help, another thing to sort out....

[Gill the Piano]

Perhaps the teacher isn't comfortable with classical? I know that (if I were desperate enough to teach again - which I ain't!) I would never teach jazz/rock, because I don't know enough about it. And actually, if she did the usual Associated Board exams, the third piece generally includes a jazzy option now....they've caught on to jazz 50 years late!
Perhaps you should have a word and say that you'd like her to have a more classical grounding; it's easy enough to learn jazz/rock by applying classical knowledge, but not so easy the other way round. And when it comes to the crunch, money isn't easy for any parent, let alone a single one, and you have a right to have your money used as you wish.

[SteveHopwood]

I have used RochSchool a couple of times recently, but for older pupils for whom the usual exam boards have no attraction.

I have found the pieces to be well written for their purpose. I was able to discuss the musical aspects of the pieces in as much depth as those I teach when entering pupils for AB and Trinity exams.

The important thing is to interest children in the music they are playing. I regard myself as a 'classical' musician, yet have changed the repertoire I teach entirely, in the last two years.

I now use piano music composed within the last 15 years or so, by the likes of Pamela Wedgwood, Martha Mier, Mike Cornick et al. This repertoire has caused great enthusiasm amongst children and revolutionised the practise patterns of many.

Maybe your daughter's teacher has had a similar experience. I suggest you discuss your concerns with the teacher and try to find out the direction in which your little girl's studies are going.

Hope this helps

Steve
_________________
Piano teacher for over 30 years.
Piano accompanist and teacher.