Yamaha Special Junior Advanced Course - Discussion

[acforfamily]

radiantmum:

Hi acforfamily, when do they start taking exams & how often? Out of curiousity, how do we as parents know whether the teachers have prepared \"properly\"?

& most importantly, GOOD LUCK to your DS !

Hi sorry for the late reply, was a bit busy and missed your msg.
They take exams once a year, electone exams have different dates from the piano ones, and is usually Mar or June. Since your ds started in jan, I guess his first exam must be next March.

Up to now, I am never sure whether my son is prepared. Sometimes the teacher will come back with a note saying that he needs to focus on something, and then I will make sure he practices it. Don't know how else?

There is a sort of past year exam book that the teacher will make them buy closer to the exam. This will give you an idea of what is being tested for their grade and you can use it to test your ds too. However, I struggle with it cos I am not trained in music, so just do what I can. Of course, there will be cries of 'mummy! It's is not like that ! :oops:

[radiantmum]

acforfamily:

However, I struggle with it cos I am not trained in music, so just do what I can. Of course, there will be cries of 'mummy! It's is not like that ! :oops:

Hahaha! I am at the stage of trying to overcome my frustration in being helpless ... didn't even realise that he had been practising wrongly (if you know what I meant :oops: ). A lot of practice pieces from his 1-1 electone class, he's frustrated initially having to co-ordinate both hands with pedal plus key switching @pedal and watching out for his articulation (while doing sight reading) at the same time. I am in awe - my imagination runs wild of an octopus performing :shock: Teacher's expectation is 1-2 hours of practice per day (gulps) and I didn't even dare to ask for his group teacher's expectation. I guess it's not only the kid needs adjustment, the parents need some MOC too (Boy, I am now wondering how a kid copes if doing both electone and piano at the same time!) Good news is he continues to be interested and happy going for classes. - especially on the improvision practices and the group ensemble part.

[acforfamily]

radiantmum:

I am in awe - my imagination runs wild of an octopus performing :shock: Teacher's expectation is 1-2 hours of practice per day (gulps) and I didn't even dare to ask for his group teacher's expectation.

I have heard of this teacher who has very high expectations of his students, so be warned ! My son's classmate is way ahead of the rest in her pieces, because it is what this teacher expects.

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[June]

We were being call up for the audition in early march, however not sure whether to go for it as it easily take up 2 x of my ds schedule. Moreover he is doing inidividual piano lessons. When i asked the piano tr (apparently teaching in yamaha) she told me that the JSAC exams are yamaha certified whereas the piano are graded by ABRSM…hmm i just feel that 2 x a week is too much esp now my ds in primary school.

[acforfamily]

June:

JSAC exams are yamaha certified whereas the piano are graded by ABRSM...

In JSAC, you can choose to major in Electone or Piano. There will be an exam every year which is the Yamaha graded exams (grades 9,8,7,6). For those who do piano, however, to finish the JSAC course (4 yrs), you will have to pass the ABRSM piano grade 5 as well.

[June]

Hmm…i am just wondering if an individual doing it outside, if everything goes well…it shld be grade 1-5 it shd takes 5 years…does that mean yamaha allow u to jump maybe start from grade 3 else how to do 5 grades in 4 years and given the competiveness from school.

[metz]

June:

Hmm...i am just wondering if an individual doing it outside, if everything goes well..it shld be grade 1-5 it shd takes 5 years..

Not necessary. Depending on the ability, some may just do alternate grades. For instance, Grade 1, 3, & 5 within 3 years.

[radiantmum]

Hi June,


Go for the audition process - nothing to lose. If anything else, one more option for you/your kid right?

I am a JSAC newbie mom. I got to sit in the group class for 1 month and I personally find the class very interesting and has lots to offer than just learning how to play an instrument. If your kid loves composition, music arrangements, group ensemble - would recommend JSAC. Very systematic teaching approach and group ensemble for instance, is something that you probably can't do it on 1-1 level.

As for grades, this IS already an accelerated course. Personally I feel that learning music is more than just getting certificates. During the orientation, I believe they mention that it's not automatic progression to their next senior course - they expect a distinction in your major not a pass/merit.

Hope that helps.

[June]

Thanks radiantmum, as much as I wanted to but sigh the audition is on a weekday afternoon, which means my ds needs to miss school. And given the demand of the frequency of the course (2 x a week) and i heard for grp no choice got to be in Plaza Sin, oh man i really dun know how to make time if we go for this. And thus will consider to give it a miss as my ds don't want to go for it too. As i don;t want to kill his interest in music

[radiantmum]

Yap, group class has to be in Plaza Sgp. Not that bad in the weekend 'cos I get to shop and even sign up pedicure package My DS is polishing his music skills & I, polishing my toes ! Cool, right?