Debra Grass

My blog is restarting as of January 01 2025

The world of piano lessons is complicated for a parent who didn't take lessons themselves.  Some parents feel they don't know enough to communicate with music teachers.  For that reason I developed a Piano Parent Boot Camp seminar for parents who would like to understand better.  Contact me if you are interested in booking a Boot Camp session (online or in person).  


The problem wth chasing certificates

Sunday, March 2, 2025 by Debra Grass | Uncategorized

What’s wrong with pushing your child through each music grade as quickly as possible? It’s a problem that has always been with us but is becoming even more common now that online examinations make it possible to schedule any time.  Parents and students who get caught up in chasing certificates as quickly as possible often find themselves quitting before reaching their ultimate goals.  

What happens when you move a student into the next level before they’re ready: 

  • It will take longer to learn the requirements of the next grade.   They often end up learning only the bare minimum.  That means playing a very small number of pieces, not understanding theory, and stumbling through technique exercises, perhaps pulling them up briefly with practice cramming just before the exam.  


  • The exam mark may not reflect this because an examiner doesn’t know how long it took the student to learn the material or how much work they’ve done.  They are marking the performance in front of them.  If technique is a little off, there is only a small cost in marks.  If all the pieces are played ‘well enough’, they will pass or perhaps even get a stronger mark.   Honours marks and even low First Class honours marks are not difficult to achieve, even for students who are functionally behind.  Parents often think the student is doing well which is good for the examination system but not necessarily good for the student.  


  • If a student is moved ahead each year (or an even shorter time span as is becoming more common) in this same way they will hit a wall – a grade where they can’t even get the bare minimum done.  Normally that’s going to be between level 5 and level 8.  Preparing for exams becomes more and more stressful as the material becomes longer and more difficult.  


  • If the parent’s goal was for the student to eventually receive a grade 8 certificate or more, that goal will likely not be reached.  And even if it is, the student will not be the pianist you had hoped you were nurturing.  

 

To be continued.....