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To investigate the teaching quality and content of diploma and degree holder piano teachers as measured by the quality of instruction given in their lesson and the performance in their student’s piano exam.
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Introduction
Background Information
Teaching is the centre of attention as all education including music education. Being worried over their children’s future, parents constantly question themselves if the piano teacher they have hired is going to produce good and higher piano exam results. I have asked myself if there were any difference between piano teachers with a degree or diploma holder (e.g. diploma in piano performance, piano teaching or music theory from Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), Trinity, Guildhall, London School of Music, Australia Music Board, Canadian Examination Board, NAFA, LaSalle School of Music) or Grade 8 holder teacher, in this quest for piano certification.
A good teacher is often the centre of attention in good education results. By that, I mean that whenever an individual or group of students performs well in examinations, one of the frequently asked questions is: “who’s the teacher?” Similarly, in piano education, parents frequently question if the piano teacher they have hired is going to produce results in their children’s piano exam. The question often takes the form of “what qualifications does the teacher have?”
This will benefit the community in that parents will be better informed when they choose a piano teacher. This research will lead to new knowledge. There is very little hard information available as there is no current research mentioned about this in the news, media or web. There are multiple opinions and perceptions that teacher qualification does make a difference or does not make a difference. This research will lead to an empirical
References: Agay, Denes. Teaching Piano: A Comprehensive Guide and Reference Book for the Instructor (2 Vol 's), Music Sales America, 1982 ISBN-13: 978-0825680397 Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Syllabus for Piano 2011 & 2012 Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Examination Information & Regulations. International edition. 2010. United Kingdom Bastien, James W Jacobson, Jeanine & Lancaster, E. L. Professional Piano Teaching: A Comprehensive Piano Pedagogy Textbook for Teaching Elementary-Level Students. Alfred Publishing, Co., 2006 ISBN-13: 978-0739032220 Miller, Neil Taylor, Clara. These music exams, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, 2005, United Kingdom Trinity College London, Syllabus for Piano 2011 & 2012