Kay's First Student's Recital Performance

Date:  March 22, 2015

This is my younger son, Kay Kay.

Today, he is going to go up stage to perform what he has learned from the Piano class.

Yup, it is his first “100 Stages Students’ Recital” performance.  

I think he started to learn Piano from Cristofori since end of 2014.

It is hard work for parents as we need to pick him up and sent him to class.  So, on Wednesday, he always comes home late at 7:30pm because of the 30 minutes piano class.

Influenced by his brother, Jay Jay.  He started to like Piano.  One day, he come back from school and tell mommy he wanted to learn piano.

That is how he got into this piano.

Take note, still, Mommy and Daddy has not played piano before when we were young.  And I don’t think we have much musical instinct in our cells.

So, the kids have to learn on their own, and pick up piano from the class on their own.

Today will be the Recital performance.  So, he has been practising hard at home.

He actually can perform without the music CD.  Let’s take a look.  This is 10 minutes before the performance.

Very playful.

Because Jay Jay has to go to the Golf School later for Monthly competition.  So, the school have arranged him to be the first one to performance.  No pressure at all.

Since this is his very first performance the teacher insists he follows the music CD.  Teacher says he always practice in school using the CD.  I told the teacher, but he practice at home without the CD.  But then, it was decided to let him follow the CD.

He is pretty serious when he performs.  Don’t you think?  HaHaHaHa… I seldom see that kind of serous face.

And he got a certificate from his teacher Jay.  Yeap, the teacher is the same name as Jay Jay.  That is why he is willing to learn from teacher Jay.  Because of this same name.  HaHaHaHa...

Well done Kay Kay!

So shy.  Receiving his certificate from teacher Jay.

All the students who performed yesterday.

OK.  What a relief.  Drink lots of water.  Eat the sushi.  Well done Kay Kay!

Kay Kay & Piano Lesson Reboot

Date:  Aug 5, 2014

On July 23, we caught Kay Kay playing the piano by himself.

On July 24, we saw him playing the piano again.  

When Kay Kay is N2, we sent Kay Kay to a Piano teacher for about 1-2 months.  He have to canceled the piano lesson because Kay Kay suddenly lost interest of learning it.  He was learning under a very talented teacher at that time, but he is bald (no hair) and he always wants the student to be “perfect”.  So, that is why we figure, the main reason why Kay Kay quit piano a year ago have something to do with this teacher, the way how he teach.

If you remember, it was Kay Kay wanted to learn piano at that time.

As you know the policy in this family, if you wanted to learn, you will get the chance to learn, but the only thing is you cannot quit half way.  However, we make an exception for Kay Kay as we really see that he develops a certain phobia in learning the piano.

So, only July 23 & 24, while every one was busy, this young Kay Kay open up the Piano at home, and play with it.  

And some how, the tunes he play is not too bad.  Finger any how press.  But the tune is not too bad,

So, we asked him, if he would like to learn Piano again?

And he says yes!

So, he started his first piano lesson at ARC every Monday for 30 minutes after school.

And some how and don’t know how, he has the enthusiasm to learn piano, and we are happy about it.

After the class, he comes home and eagerly wanted to show me what he has learn. 

The Walking Song.

Hope that he can do well under this new teacher.

As I said before, Music is a strange thing.  

Father Mother do not have music gene, and sons some how gets a bit of music hobby.  

Like Jay Jay now likes Er Hu.

So interesting, and so cannot understand why.  HaHaHaHa

Anyway, if the kids want to learn, we shall let them learn.

Jay Jay & Piano - 3rd Lesson

Date:  May 6, 2013

Today is the first time I can make it to stay at home and listen to (The piano room door is closed) the teacher teaches Jay Jay piano.

At the end of the lesson, I spoke to Ms. Tan (the teacher), and she told me that "Jay Jay is quite good.  So, I started him from Level 2 Piano book."  

Jay heard that… And then, for the next 45min, he do his Music theory book, and practise the songs.

I guess this is what encouragement can do to him.  HaHaHa Consider that both parents does not know music, does not play piano or violin, no music genes pass down to him, and he is able to make it into his interests and learn the music on his own.  I am proud of him.  HaHaHaHa

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/CSFrlt_rSww

He started to do his 3rd theory books.

While I was surfing on the net for post-elections news.  He finished his homework.

This is the part Jay likes.  Teacher Tan started him from Level 2.  So, I think Jay Jay felt special for this.  HaHaHa...

This is the first song he has to learn.  I always saw two music lines for each lyrics.  And I never know what is it.  And Jay always did the homework for this in his previous theory books.  Today, I finally learned that the top music scores are for right hand, and the bottom music scores are for left hand.  HaHaHaHa.. Learn new things every day.  HaHaHaHa

This is another song he needs to learn too.  

I am so glad that I got him a teacher to teach him at home.  Save a lot of time and he loves to learn things from home.

Jay & Piano "Happy Birthday" Song

Date:  Apr 29, 2013

Today, Jay Jay took his second Piano lesson from teacher Luanne.  He shows strong interest in learning piano.  This kid, want to learn so many things, and hope he can manage each of them.  :)

Tomorrow is Mommy's birthday.  So, it is just nice that he learned this song today.  Here is the 8min clip of he learning and playing the Happy Birthday song.  Mommy will be happy tomorrow if her son played this song for her. 

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/bWQ5HMEiI9c

 [Useful Info]

We apply for a Piano teacher from this website.  i.e. http://www.yestuition.sg 

So, they assigned Ms. Luanne Tan to teach him at home.  We have a Casio Digital Piano at home.  Her email is luannetlm@hotmail.com  

Kay Kay & Piano

Date:  Jan 26, 2013

Who is sitting in front of the piano???

OK.  Who said that peer competition is nothing??

One fine day, this kid (Kay Kay) came back from school and ask mommy, "Why you never sent me to learn Piano.  I want to learn Piano."

We were like "HUH?  WHY?"

Our home has no piano.  There is no music gene in either my wife or myself.  So, why Kay Kay wants to learn Piano???

Kay Kay: "Because Noah Lee got learn."

Mommy: "OK… Are you sure?"

Kay Kay: "Nidal also learn piano."

This is purely peer competition and peer pressure.  But we like it. 

Jay Jay wants to learn a lot of things by his own will.  We were afraid and worry about Kay Kay as he has not shown any sign of interest beside the Art Boot Camp.  When we asked if he likes swimming? No.  Taekwondo? Nope.  Violin?  No.  Badminton?  No.  Football?  Nope.  Tennis?  Nope.  Some how this kids just refuse to have interest in these activities.

So, if Kay Kay ask for it, his wish is our command.  HaHaHaHaHaHa

So, on Sunday, same time slot with his koko, we got him a Piano teacher.  Mr. Yong Kai Lin.

What an coincident, teacher Kai Lin, also have a "Kai" in his name.  So, Kai teaches Kai (Liew Sin Kai), should have not problem la.

The first lesson is to be able to find all the 8 keys.  Kay Kay at first shown huge resistant in this class.  May be the teacher has no hair and he is a bit of afraid?  HaHaHaHaHa… We have to negotiate with 3x sweets, 1 hour of iPad education game (while waiting for koko later at Taekwondo).  Then, he has no problem learning.  He takes about 20min to warm up.  

And he found the last C key.

High Five!

This Kai Lin lao-shi actually has an impressive resume, and can see that he is totally a music guy.  He can teach piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, etc.  He study in some music school in Vienna, and has been in US for 9 years playing musics, etc.  Now part time in the art music school opposite Rendevous hotel, and here.  So, I think he will be a good teacher for Kay Kay.  We learned at Elite Music @ Sultan Plaza.

One more thing… he can speak Mandarin, so, we think it is good to have him speak mandarin so that to increase mandarin exposure beside school.

Next, he will have to find the C & D & E key which is Do-Re-Mi.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/cgtYve5utHU

And Kay Kay loves playing games in the Piano lesson.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/IT2BTM7ouo0

 So, I think Kay Kay start having some interest in Piano, so, let's make it a routine.  So, we will have to move the Art Boot Camp class.  May be move to Saturday or later in Sunday afternoon.  

As for Jay Jay, he still hang on to his Violin.  As soon as he can pick up and read the music notes, long short playing without error, will make him take test.  hahaha

But I love him playing … free music mah.  hahaha

So, if Kay Kay learning piano, he must have a piano at home.  Before we really commit to buy a piano for him, let's make him play on this "SEPARABLE Folding Silicone Piano".  I went to Canton Fair last year, and I saw this quite nice, so, I bought it.  It is not cheap for China standard, but it is new and never saw it before, so, I thought one day it might have some use.  At first I thought of giving it to my mother in law, as she play piano.

And now, I have to let Kay Kay use it.  So, before we get a new piano for Kay, let's use this and it is a full size piano, I think.  

It is a functional piano.  And it is good enough for young kids like Kay Kay.  I am so glad that I bought this in my last trip to China.  Otherwise, I will be headache on where to get a piano for Kay Kay.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/z2HrkVYDGdI