I registered my kid for the Yamaha for the Junior Music class when she was 3 years old. She enjoyed the class as it was just singing and listening to music. They were really stress free sessions. No music notes. No music instruments to play. Parents have to sit through the lesson in order for us to help coach the kids when they practice at home. These sessions were easy for us since it was very basic. After spending about 10 months, the music teacher assessed her and she ‘graduated’. By the way, everyone in the class passed and will continue on to the next session.
She proceeded to join the Yamaha Junior Music Class starting with Book 1. Music notes were introduced to the children. Most parents have to learn music lesson for the first time with their children. She was only required to playing with her right hand. Each day, she still spends about 10 minutes practicing her music. It was quiet easy. After about a year, the music teacher assessed her and she passed. All her classmates passed the music assessment too.
The class started with Book 2 immediately. Book 2 was more difficult. She had to play with both hands. Hands coordination was more difficult. She had to spend more time practicing at home. With ‘music illiterate’ parents, we were not helpful. We can only repeat whatever the music teacher taught her in the class. Reading the music notes was a challenge for us. We resorted to writing notes next to the music notes. Each day, she still spends about 10 minutes practicing her music.
Last week was her music assessment. She had to play one song for her teacher to assess her. She passed and officially completed her Yamaha Junior Music Class Book 2. All her classmates passed the assessment too.
Then, the music teacher gave an introduction of Book 3. She told the parents that Book 3 is the ‘killer’. This is where most students will drop out if they cannot cope with the expectations. Parents will have to sit through the lessons and continue coaching the children back home. Most of the ‘music illiterate’ parents were already shaking their heads when they browse through Book 3. The music notes were complicated. We were just wondering how to cope with it. Let alone the kids.
Together, the parents and kids will face the music when it comes
7 responses so far ↓
1 athena // Sep 11, 2007 at 11:44 am
kekeke…ok la..i give you free music lessons…:p
2 leslie // Sep 12, 2007 at 2:10 pm
When can we start the lesson? hehehe
3 preciouspearl // Sep 13, 2007 at 8:08 pm
just think of the sheet music as maths with black taugeh…… :)
4 puiyeel // Oct 13, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Yamaha Junior courses are good. I was in it when I was young too, they will train d kids hearing too. So now she’s playing on the electone only right?
5 Azli // Jan 6, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Hi all
Just got the brochure from IOI Mall just now.
My daughter going to be 4 years old this September (2008).
My question, any impact since she is not attending the 3 years old class? I’m interested to enroll her for 4-5 years class.
She is also starting pre-scho0l tomorrow.
Thanks
Leslie : It should be OK to join the 4-year old class. Practising at home is important. She should be able to catch up.
6 Christina D // Jun 27, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Hi,
I enroled my son for the JMC program when he was close to three. He has now started Book Four. Seriously, this program needs commitment from parents to coach the child. I’m music literate and therefore coaching is not a problem. However, I do realise that for parents who aren’t, it’s challenging. My husband left it entirely to me to attend the classes with my son from Book 2 on as he could not cope with the lessons. Now, my son plays well with both hands and even composes his own tunes. He’s experimenting with the pedals as well. I must say though… the lessons move very fast and the children are expected to keep up. It’s not easy to get a four or five year old to practice. In fact, my son and I have had so many arguments over this. Until one fine day, when I could not find an ounce of patience in me, I gave him the chance to quit if he was not interested. And that was the turning point. He decided that he wanted to continue and he practiced each day without being told to. He’s doing great and I’m just happy that he has not given up. I do speak a lot with him about music as an avenue to channel emotions, etc. He now shares with me how certain tunes make him feel. It’s important to channel to them this passion for music. Not treat it like a subject to get a headstart in school.
7 Eddie Koh // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Do they have a website ? or where and what is the contact no. ?
Leave a Comment