Anyone's DC done funky monkey keyboard classes?

[undercoverelephant]

What do/did you think?

Am vaguely contemplating this for DS (6) although the local class is not at the most convenient time for us, so would want to know if it is really worth it.

DS really wants to learn piano, but we don't have one, and I'm not sure that his commitment will remain once he realises how much practice he needs to undertake! We do have a keyboard, however...

[ZZZenAgain]

What is Funky Monkey? I've never heard of them.

I have this course which is nice. I think a 6 year old might like it:
Chester's Easiest Piano Course

which was recommended to me on MN. Would be fine for using on the keyboard I'd say, though I'm not a musical tuition expert or anything. I'll see if I can find it on amazon and post a link.

[ZZZenAgain]

here

[mimsum]

ds2 did classes for about a year - it moves very, very slowly so by the end he could play about 3 notes ... the lessons are done in groups so I think they're stuck at the speed of the slowest learner (which may well have been ds2 ) not worth it imo

[undercoverelephant]

Thanks, both of you!
We will probably end up doing the private tuition route, I'm just umming and aahing about buying a piano. Seems a big commitment. But then I have 2 younger DCs, so maybe one of them will be a musical genius even if DS1 is not!

[ZZZenAgain]

have you looked at freecycle. Some people have posted on here about getting pianos on there. No idea what the quality is like but some people just don't want them because they don't hve room.

[FunkyMonkeyKeyboards]

Hi there. Just wanted to post a quickie regarding the comments on classes (seeing as I'm the Director, I may as well defend myself!)I would disagree strongly that anyone who came to our classes would ever come away after a year with only 3 notes, (they learn 3 notes in 2 lessons!)and have genuinely never known a pupil do so. The books progress at a gentle but stimuating speed and stop the 'brick wall' effect that children seem to hit when learning in a traditional one-to-one format. If that were really the case, I would be re-writing all my books! We do offer a free trial class for you to come and see what we're all about - and do have a look at the website www.funkymonkey.info if you are still deciding. I wouldn't recommend Chester's course without a piano teacher to guide you through it, but it seems a popular option. Also the Watermann series are good as is anything by Pauline Hall. Hope this helps - good luck with the search!

[croftyd]

My 4 yr old daughter goes to the Funky Monkey Keyboard lesson for pre-school and absolutely loves it. She's only had 4 lessons so far and I have seen her writing music notes and finding them on the keyboard. A great lesson for bridging the gap between those baby music classes and individual lessons