An Inspiring Story of Li Min

HOW AN ENGINEER TEACHES MUSIC

This is an inspiring story about someone who was inspired by others and her success story turns out to inspire others.

Li Min, a student of mine, who was an engineer, came to learn music Theory with me (while learning piano with other teacher), hoping to complete her Grade 5 Theory. She was under my coach for only 11 months before I left Singapore. She said to me that it was her eye-opening period that I brought her to “sky” rather than limiting students to coursebook materials. How was it so?

How was she inspired?

Photo of LiMin taken in 2009

At that time, her intention was to learn basic composing which was in Grade 5 Theory syllabus. Instead of just covering the syllabus itself, I explained every necessary detail even helped prepare for Grade 6 Theory. 

A classical student learnt classical stuff, but I went beyond to introduce Jazz stuff. To her, it was the introductory Jazz course that spiked some motivation in her. She said,

“Because when you taught me Theory, you introduce Jazz chords notation, progression ii-V-I with the 7th degree note added to Jazz chord, Jazz voicings, the colour tone of Jazz/modern music (which heavily uses 9th, 11th, 13th degree diatonic notes of the key. ”

“And all these are from the basic classical music’s teaching. You demonstrated those to me when I was a student. And it helped motivate me a lot. I saw how teachers could bring the “sky” to students instead of limiting students to coursebook materials purely.”

From then on, she felt like she had so much yet to learn.

Years later, I was told she passed her both Grade 8 Theory and Practical.

Photo of LiMin

Success continues.

After many years of not contacting until recently, I asked Li Min whether she is teaching music. Despite her busy work routine, she is giving music lessons to her students. I thought she is teaching at home or at a music school. No, she teaches at students’ home during her free time.

She learnt piano out of interest, at a very relaxed pace, when she was working as an engineer. At that time, she did not consider to teach music. She said it was my suggestion that she begin teaching piano after completing Grade 8. At that time, I asked her to consider teaching after finishing Grade 8, which I totally forgot about this matter. She did finally. If not, she might have just slacked down.

How was she exposed to teaching?

Photo taken during group assessment 2009

Li Min said, “You also brought me in to your other students’ classes to see how you conducted classes. It was the first steps that formed up my piano teaching milestones too.”

“I am really grateful for your teachings/sharing.”

She learnt piano for 2 years when she was 9. She resumed her piano learning after her engineering course. It then took her another 8 years to complete Grade 8. Finally, her 10- year effort paid off. Now, she is teaching music as part-time. Based on today’s market rate, a beginner pays S$170 -200 for piano lessons a month in Singapore.

This real life story shows you it is never too late to learn music. Hopefully readers will be inspired to learn music if they are still considering to pursue it.

All in all, I do hope I will be an agent to motivate people to pick up music again.

Final word: Jazz introductory course will inspire you. Believe it or not?

Written by KC Tan

31/12/2019