Ben 2nd recital

Teacher TY is kind enough to let benjamin perform in the recital although he is not learning under him anymore. This is the 2nd, as the 1st was no piano accompaniment - he played Hoe Down, this song learnt from music pro. I'm so grateful for these two experience benjamin had :)

4Years 2Months old

SV - 22 Jun13

3 months in group class, yes the progress is slow but I can see he is coping well, at his own pace. My intention is not to be excellent or can keep up with his classmates, but to instill the love of music in him. I know, some have told me, he is not incline to music or spirituality. To me, if you are a human, you need these to release the baggage inside yourself. Maybe you are right, but I need to do my best for my child knowing how to release emotional baggage when they are older. God, pls continue to guide me. 

I'm happy with what we have now. Ben has learnt to hold the bow well and played open string. Hoe down song for cyberjaya opening ceremony in September, he can sing all the songs but need somemore practice playing on the violin. Ben still does not practice as I asked him, practice comes when he has mood and usually not more than 5 min. The problem I see in him, is lack of practice. He is really good in grasping the rhythm and instruction from teacher. Ben is very alert in class and is not afraid that he does not how to play, although he doesn't know how to play he still wants to be the first to perform in class. Sometimes i felt very 'pai seh'. 

All twinkle variation has been taught in 3 months. 

Ben Suzuki Group class - 6apr13

Hi! We are back to suzuki lessons! lol ..  i couldn't believe it too. One day a friend of mine, asked me about musicpro, I said I went before and told her there is one new teacher that I wanted to try but have no mood to call yet. She called and decided to put her 2 kids in suzuki group class, I then asked her to include me, as benjamin does not have a teacher now. Thought group class would spark up his interest once more, hopefully.

The 2 kids were also benjamin's school friend. He looks forward to go. In the class. he follows what teacher asked to do (only 70%), hence I asked teacher if he thinks benjamin is ready. Teacher told me, he is OK and parents involvement is important, I shared with him my difficulty in handling ben, and asked if he has handle such young and difficult kids. He said Yes and gave me some pointers. I guess, I would want to try out for a change. I signed up!

Back at home, I asked benjamin to practise. As usual group class teaching are slower but i feel the pace is just right for ben. I asked him to do: 1. rest position 2. Play position 3. Clap var A. He does it all at home!! I'm happy :) I'm hoping to plant the music seeds in him. Hubby said every morning benjamin listen to suzuki music without fail on the way to school, hence I truly hope he would pick up music. It's healing to the soul!

Thank God for bringing this experience to ben!

Last Lesson SV - 6mar13

Ben has progressed until variation A on open strings. He is also very good at music mind games, he enjoy this the most with teacher. He has a problem of not doing what teacher wants him to do especially playing the violin. Yesterday was a very harsh day for me, Teacher told me that he could not teach benjamin anymore because he knows his own capability and thinks he cannot handle benjamin. Me being me, feeling sudden sadness, I tried talking to teacher and telling him I know where to improve as a parent, I feel guilty. Ben does not listen to me, he always do things his way, if I force him nothing will turn out well, hence I left it completely to teacher since january. After 2 months, teacher cannot tahan already. I beg teacher to give me 2 more months, let me try my best .... 

Today, I step back and look at what's happening again. I see the success in andrea, how her suzuki was a successful one. I look at benjamin, how his one was a failure? practicing is one part but andrea practice was way more fun last time. teaching material is one thing, group lesson is the other thing, third is teacher as an example. I was feeling abit not right after ben rejecting to go to class, I feel maybe teacher does not play or does not has a violin in the class even to show/ play to benjamin. All benjamin has was the radio (cd). I was still living in denial when angel send me this message, because i told myself where else to find suzuki teacher yet so near my house. Stop bothering me I told them. I was struck and awaken by what the teacher told me yesterday, today I finally accept and will tell the teacher, maybe you are right, violin is not his thing. 

Parents as a Parents, I know I can manifest something else for benjamin, although I don't know what yet. He is teachable and is very bright, genioart teacher said he is at 4yrs old development and he is only 3 yrs 4months! I need to find something more suitable and interesting for him. Have to have faith that I will get something that benjamin enjoy and love it. For my children, SV will end here. I would try to recall what andrea has done and tried teaching him at home on my own pace. I still have the other book andrea was using which is very useful I feel. Masters and Guides, please shed me some light, My boy needs alot of healing. All is well. So it is. 

SV - 3&10oct12

So Far benjamin still looks forward to his class, acting really cheeky in class. For the past 3 classes, we did almost the same thing but different content, name the violin parts, sing song with the piano, music mind games tools, how to bow, hold the violin & bow

3oct - ben made a violin box with teacher, he learnt violin body, neck and bridge on the box. Whole note and half note. rabbit or dog bow hold, ben has problem with this as all the finger want to close when the 3rd & 4th fingers close. lol, it's so funny! Sang twinkle twinkle little star when mummy join in, if not the lips are strong as clams (uncooked)

10oct - learnt scroll on the violin. quarter note. still on rabbit bow hold, this time teacher gave a ball and stick for practise. clapping the rhythm is still good. Sang twinkle twinkle again but this time step on an external piano petal, step the rhythm. However ben still doesn't want to sing even I open my mouth singing, enjoyed stepping i think :) 

Teacher praise ben that he had a good memory and is picking up really fast (maybe he is not 3 yet), told me that I had to buy a violin sooner than he thinks, size 1/32 that is. so small and tiny :) 

Ben 1st violin lesson

Benjamin love it to bits. When the class ended, I asked him to give teacher a hug before we go, he reluctant, so I thought maybe he doesn't want to give male a hug, so I leave it to him and continue my payment. When done, i said lets go, benjamin suddenly said " i want to go into the room". There is a tug-o-war, I finally gave up and bring him to the room and said, only you and me, what shall we do here. He said "ask teacher to come in". Another tug-o-war, finally he gave teacher high-5 and we left. Arrived at home, he cried again, telling grandparents he wants to go violin class somemore. I hope this passion never dies. 

I hope benjamin could learn the correct way of violin as andrea has many things to fix, I gave up on andrea many months ago and knowing I am the one who created this mess, I need to fix it before it's too late. Bringing her to the suzuki camp does really help and I'm really glad. Thank God. God pls give me wisdom to help andrea to have smooth transition from bad posture to good posture. so it is. 

Yesterday class we learnt about:

1. fingering. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers

2. violin strings and there are 4 strings on the violin

I love the teacher involve benjamin in everything he do. Doing the puppets, he let ben put it on and remove it on his own. Let ben use the glue to make the box violin. Playing piano and sing to ben, asked ben to sing (fill in the words) too. Teach ben about rhythmic, phew, ben knows! Not bad eh. I'm proud of my little boy :) Ben asked me, "I bring my violin?" before we left the house, i said lets see what teacher said, maybe he needs you to buy a smaller violin. He is so grounded. Love him to bits! 

Last month with musicpro

songs in the air, whisper in the heart. This is a wonderful cue to what is coming to your life. My intention of having suzuki violin for andrea is that she could develop her right brain too when playing music. I have been to 2 suzuki violin teachers, does the right brain really come into place? given the opportunity with shichida for 4 years, the answer is - 50% maybe. So what is it? Love and patient only, ops and the suzuki system/ book. I guess this is what right brain is for. The others? conventional violin lesson could offer I guess. 

Can local teacher without much love or should i call it life experience of having love to demonstrate love to the student as per what Mr. suzuki wants all his teacher to have? I'm saying, if you have Japanese teachers - expect your student to be discipline. if you have English teachers - expect your student to be expressive. if you have different background teachers then your student will get their quality. suzuki system is in suzuki book & you can learn from it, all important points and notes are inside that book. I'm happy to have seen 2 teachers on how they taught it. I will try to teach Benjamin myself. 

Right now, I have put a stop to suzuki violin. I need teacher who can work with me so that andrea could benefit from violin lesson. at 5 years old, conventional violin would say they are too small - I will try to look out for academy near my place, worst come to worst will go to bently (quite far from my place :( ). Divine, pls guide me. Thank You!

New place for suzuki violin

A dedicated teacher is important for the growth of their student. I have seen the passion and dedication in dr. ng when we 1st join, however the passion faded when he has lesser younger students and told me that he even asked some student to stop because they were not teachable. He did not ask andrea to stop but often late for class, the worst thing happen was, he never inform me the actual date he is back from london. I was standing at his door step with andrea under the sun, pressing his door bell but to no avail. I was devastated. 

I then join music pro at dataran sunway since January 2012, teacher jecintha is my friend's friend who took suzuki certification together back in KK, sabah. She is very dedicated to teach young children as her students are all very young i.e 3 year old. We have been with her for almost 4 months now, we learn correct bow hold, violin hold, sing solfege, notes reading. However there is no new pieces played so far. I felt unhappy and andrea too felt bored, not because of the teacher, because of the sudden change of teaching method. 

We used to play ALOT of songs when with dr. ng. We played suzuki book 1 till minuet 1 and 2 encore books for the past 1 year, now almost 4 months ... no new pieces. I can see that andrea's violin and bow hold has improved but always needs reminder still. She is starting to pick up reading notes, I hope she can pick it up fast before I decide to quit. I felt hanging, How come there is no balance in between, either you get a very experience teacher where he will teach you all the playing method and performing experience but your basics he would not bother. Now this teacher who teach you all the correct basic stuff, however do not have 'fun' in class and no performing opportunity in the academy. 'fun' here means andrea enjoy teacher plays the piano and she plays the violin, here teacher look at her playing - seldom play for her not to mention play duet with her. I believe there is an academy/ teacher who provide balance for these quality that we are looking for. I pray this to be delivered to me and andrea. Thank You. 

6th Violin Recital

Last Recital - Minuet 1 by JS Bach & Fernando Tango by K sharp

I actually felt heavy heart for this last recital. I really love dr. ng teaching method because he compliments my teaching at home. I'm the forcing type and he is the lenient type and I can see andrea really love playing duet with him all the time. I just need to let go for now because her bow hold needs correction badly and she needs to learn how to read notes too. Andrea got her very 1st trophy for violin 100 hours practice :) At least something from dr. ng before saying good bye!

4 Years 8 months old

5th Violin Recital

Today mummy was not feeling well. Andrea went to the recital with daddy. Andrea played etude. Quite good :) Good job girl!

4 years 5 months old

Violin class - 1 year

it's exactly 1 year! How time flies. Teacher said he is preparing for andrea's grade 1 and suggest that we go straight to grade 5 exam, i wonder if that is possible. hahaa... i said whatever ... as long as you enjoy teaching her. haha ..

1. just memorize etude whole song and now working on minuet 1 second line. 

2. encore book 2. Andrea enjoy encore book very very much. 

3. Andrea practice her violin on her own without me nagging her - she loves her new encore book

4. did all the scales few months back, now drilling on arpeggios (2 octaves)

5. can do slur really well - pick it up from encore book (useful for suzuki as well)

6. can do harmonics really well (on tune) - pick it up from encore book 

7. practice on her 4th finger on encore book and i guess it helps more than the suzuki book.

8. bowing needs to improve and kena drill on it in today's lesson. 

I'm really grateful to be able to have this violin class with andrea during my lunch time. I feel so much better every time after the lesson, music does wonders! Teacher might not be as organized as me but the most important thing to me is I can see that he does enjoy teaching little children. I laugh and smile so much seeing him teaching andrea. it's not boring! I always feel sleepy and no energy everytime i arrive, but will get energy recharge at teacher's house. How Amazing!

Performance at Taylor's Lakeside Campus

Andrea was invited by Dr. Ng to play at Taylor's Lakeside Campus for Malaysia International Music Expo (MIME) 2011. It was  great experience as I have not seen andrea been so scared before. Her songs were mostly out of tune ... but great experience :)

songs played: Andantino & perpetual motion

4 years and 3 months old

4th Violin Recital

Hubby said I was too critical towards andrea's performance. I was not satisfied because she was easily distracted and would not concentrate after that. She played OUT OF TUNE for her second verse. I was disappointed and frustrated at the same time because I do not know how to correct her. What's the best way to make her concentrate and not to be 'busy body' looking around when performing? Did she had stage fright? (as hubby guessed), however If i'm scared I would not look around. I just do not know what is she thinking :( Dilemma .... 


songs: andantino


4 years 2 months old

practicing violin at home

Today benjamin join us for practice, he's learning fast and I guess he loves violin too :)

1st Private Lesson

How I wish I could let andrea go thru the pure suzuki teaching method. I'm always on the mode of Come What May, because i believe in affinity, what the divine wants to present it to me for learnings and also I strongly believe it's always the best that comes my way. Yesterday was andrea's first private lesson with dr.ng, he has corrected her something that makes me very happy [focus on the contact point, bow position when playing, step&skip notes]. I guess the best teacher is the teacher that the student like. However I WILL NOT stop searching for what i wanted. 

I've called up my suzuki piano teacher (friend) in kota kinabalu, sabah. Asked her about the rate they charge, as I wanted to know if they charge per lesson or per month. She gets very irritated when I told her about dr.ng uses encore book when andrea 1st started, keep on saying he is not a pure suzuki teacher. This time she told me she has a friend moved to KL and begin to teach in KL. Asked me to contact her. I searched online and found out that they have a package : suzuki private lesson + suzuki group class + harmonic road (solfege singing, movement, rhythm, keyboard playing, and creative activities). Isn't GREAT? thought of getting vocal class for andrea, with this no need vocal class already!!

The centre is far from where i'm living, but i have a gut feeling this is a total solution centre if you want to learn music - go here. Maybe I shall sign up their Harmonic road course at USJ. Still thinking .... Thank You for answering my prayer so quickly. Appreciate it!

Suzuki Method - Foreword

I have read this suzuki book a few times, however it does not stuck into my head. Right now, I'm reading it once again. After failing to make andrea the best student (compared to victor), screaming and scolding andrea, putting all the blame on the teacher, I've finally woke up and draw up my schedule to practice and learn more about suzuki method thru the internet. This is what I want to share with all the mothers: 

"I have come to know without a doubt that ability is not inborn. Please raise your child to be a fine human being. Heart and ability depend entirely on the manner of nurturing. Everyone knows how important it is to cultivate seedlings with care, yet some parents are inattentive and indifferent to their children's development. Without exerting any effort, they resign themselves to the thought that, "my child was born this way". I hope you will not repeat this lamentable mistake from past eras of human civilization". - Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

"Every child is a wonderful creature, a precious being. Please give your child the opportunity to be nurtured, and please explore the best ways to nurture him. Please do not fail to nurture your child. It is a mistake to think that your child's future is only a matter of heredity or inborn qualities. In response to the skill and ingenuity of the nurturer, any child can be fostered to achieve a high level of ability." - Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

I've nothing more to say. Back to the shichida principle. How can i forgot. I will re-visit this entry again when I feel like scolding andrea. Thanks Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Human always need gentle reminder!

3rd Violin Recital

This was held in Bently. This time she played allegro with victor.

4 years 1 month old

SV - 17Jul11

Violin class has become a bit stressful for me. Dr. Ng doesn't have a systematic teaching approach and I feel he has lost half of the interest in our group teaching because many student has left and he did not keep a record of where he has stop for the previous lesson. 

Victor, andrea's violin mate has a sister, he played very well and is always ahead of the class. He is now 4 songs ahead of andrea, because Dr. Ng never keep track of where he has left, he has followed victor's space. Weekly i have to rush to teach andrea memorize the song before playing, this happens for more than a month now, I want to put a stop to it. I just recently watch a video on youtube - twinkle variation is to teach children rhythm. all the songs has it's purpose and something to teach the children. "o come little children" to teach children up bow to start the song. All these Dr.Ng never emphasize and all i feel is rushing for new songs, which i felt very disappointed. 

I was very grateful that Dr.Ng has was andrea's 1st violin teacher. He is very interactive and always praise the children which gave them alot of motivation & confidence in playing violin. He is very experienced. I just hope things will turn out better. I've decided to end the group class. I will teach andrea myself for now, until she can read the notes and get all the learnt technique correct, we may join back Dr. Ng next time if there is still affinity :)

SV - 12Jun11

Almost 8 months of learning violin, I would say andrea truly enjoys it. She can now play 4 pieces of suzuki and only left 10 pieces of encore book (dr.ng said we will be finishing encore book by end of june!). How fast is that? 8 full months we finish one of the violin beginner book! 

Today they did the solo performance. Encore new songs. Some games. -end- Now the class left only andrea and victor. I guess others cannot cope with the fast pace because the parents did not spend enough time with the kids. We may need to change from group to private class now (not enough student). I do not know If andrea will still enjoy as much in private class in July. Will see how it goes. Now they are practicing 2 songs for Children show case at Bently on 31st July.

Suzuki Violin just like Shichida method. The parents have to be involved, if not the kids progression will be VERY slow. Sometimes I have the energy to practice with andrea, sometimes I would just want to be lazy. I could really see the effort I've put in, the results is amazing and of course very proud of myself. Playing the Suzuki pieces is not easy - First piece consist of twinkle 5 variation, it took us months (3 months i think) to master all 5 variation to complete the 1st suzuki piece. The following songs were beautiful, andrea sang it 1st then play on the violin, it took us about 1 week to memorize and play the song. However, more practice is needed to get perfect pitch. Andrea is very patient in adjusting her fingers to get the perfect tone. This week I will kick my lazy bum, because i did not teach andrea any new suzuki piece last week! 

Last week, we did the theory part. Taught andrea how to write Treble and Bass clefs. I don't know if it's too tough for her, I'm having a hard time. Secondly, andrea is able to recite the 8 notes - ABCDEFGA (CDEFGABC for piano). I'm not sure which is "Do' for violin, Dr. Ng said it depends on the song. Well ... I've adopt A as "Do" for Andrea because Suzuki songs always start with A string. Andrea's turning 4 next Tuesday! I'm very proud of myself :)

2nd recital - violin

1st recital at Yamaha USJ

2nd recital at Symphony Aman Suria

It's a good exposure for andrea and I'm very grateful to have Dr. Ng as andrea's violin teacher. It's not about how good the teaching is, it's the environment he created for his student. I really like this idea to have recital every month. 

1st recital, andrea played marry had a little lamb - no hiccups, very well performed but too bad daddy somehow did not know why it was not captured in our camera :( 2nd recital, andrea played twinkle twinkle little star + twinkle variation A. Andrea played half way and stop, her anxious eye keep on looking at me and looking people around me but for variation A was OK, she played the whole song but the bow was flying everywhere. I praised her anyway (for being brave and have done a very good job on stage), because she was crying when she was down from the stage. Later in the car i asked why she stop - issit scared, she said yes. I told her to look at the violin instead next time. Will see how she perform next month at a difference place. At home, daddy asked her again why stop half way, she told daddy she doesn't want mummy to look at her oO. At 1 month to 4 years old, they still cannot comprehend their true feelings. 

This time we did capture the video, however, it was block by one student who is quite big size. The place is actually very small, oh well .... no nice video for 1st & 2nd recital. Andrea enjoy looking at other student playing too. Other student is talented, not only they play violin, they play viola and piano too. We left at 8.15am as benjamin is getting cranky. overall it's a good experience, i get to know other parents as well :")

Need to find new dresses for andrea! She wore the same dress for 1st & 2nd recital :P