Yamaha Junior Music Course (JMC) - Discussion

[Miracle Child]

Hi,


I am totally music/piano illiterate, so I need some help and advice. :?: My son has been attending Yamaha Junior Course since 4 yrs old (he is now 6 yrs old). He enjoys the lessons very much but I think the pace and progress is bit slow. Thought of switching him to individual piano lessons but I have some doubts which hopefully, someone can advise:-

1. Currently, Yamaha teaches aural, oral, reading and playing skills. Will all these skills be taught as well in individual piano lessons as well?

2. Are all the above skills tested for all the piano grades?

3. How are the grade exams conducted? i.e.
(a) If my son takes individual lessons, where does he go for the piano grade exams?
(b) How do we know what pieces will be tested? Are there pre-determined piano pieces that he is to play for each grade?

4. What are the benchmarks that you will use to assess whether a particular piano teacher is good?

5. Any recommendations for
(a) school-based piano courses,
(b) home-based piano teachers?

Thanks.

[corneyAmber]

Hi,


Going to individual will definately be in a faster pace. As for the skills taught in yamaha, it depends on the teacher.

Yamaha focus on aural skills more, hence it will be good to focus on sight reading now.

Normally the teacher will register for the exam, in some cases, the teacher will get the parents to register instead - not so much reponsibilities.

You get to choose the month and location - east, west, central etc. But no guarentees.

There will be 3 pieces to prepare. Then there is scales, sight reading and aural.
Each piece is 30mks each, Scales and sight reading 21 mks each and aural 18. Total 150. 100 to pass.

More info can be found in my blog or http://www.abrsm.org

[Miracle Child]

Hi pianojazzy,


Thanks for your advice. Will check out the website. When you mentioned "3 pieces to prepare" - are these pieces pre-defined by the exam board or there is a list that we can choose from, etc.? Thanks.

[corneyAmber]

There are 18 pieces to choose from. 6 per list. Choose one from each list. 3 from each list is published in ABRSM selected piano exam pieces. Others are alternative pieces which will have to buy the book individually. Normally the teacher will help to choose. Most teachers will be familiar with the syllabus.

[daisyt]

Hi, just to share my own experience ...


My girl also started with Yamaha JMC when she was about 4 or 5 yo. Went through with them for about 6 months and realised the speed of teaching was slow. Hence we stopped JMC and signed up Christoferi one to one as Yamaha minimum age for one to one was 6yo. After 1 year with Christoferi, I pulled her out and engaged a private teacher to teach from home. She is now grade 6, 13 yo and I am changing teacher again. This time round, she has to travel to the teacher's house.

Beside changing teacher, I am also upgrading her to an upright grand piano and hence selling away the current set (beginner model).

Its long term learning and an expensive investment.

[Elaine74]

Hi pianojazzy,

My daughter is coming to 5 this year and I will like to enrol her in Piano lessons but the problem is that she has very high myophia...abt 1000 deg each eye since she was born.

My concern is should I start her as I am afraid note reading (the notes being pretty small), will cause her eyesight to worsen.

Thanks.

[corneyAmber]

Hi Elaine,


I have a student like that as well. However her degrees shot up when she reach puberty as her body matures too fast and her eyes can’t cope. At that time she was already gr 6. We stop going for exams and do it slowly. She is able to cope.

However for your girl, you might wan to start her slowly. The reading is not a lot. Do give it a try and see how it goes. I don’t think it will worsen it as in the beginning it is not difficult. Not like higher grades where the pieces get longer.

Cheers

[Elaine74]

Hi pianojazzy,


Thanks…do you have any recommendation for teachers staying in West/Bt Timah/Bt Panjang area?

Can you PM me their details if possible? Do you still have slots for weekends 1-1 lesson? I am also helping my cousin check since she lives in the eastern side.

[corneyAmber]

Hi Elaine,


PM you already

[Busymom]

I think you should speak to your son's JMC teacher. She would be able to tell you that this course is quite different from the usual one-to-one piano class. If you want your son to go through the grades like ABRSM ones, then this is not the right avenue. As I understand it, the aim of JMC is quite different. It is meant to equip the student with the ability to play by hearing rather than reading scores. Therefore, progress of your child in this course cannot be measured by how fast your child passes his exams. Just my thoughts.

smum:

Any parents have kids attending Yamaha group piano class? My son has been attending Yamaha Junior Course since K1. It's now coming close to 4 year (son now in P2). Will be taking the London theory exam grade 1 end of 2009.

Seem like doing individual class will progress much faster. Read in the forum that some actually achieved London grade 3 in 2 years time! Was wondering if I should switch my son to individual piano class as Yamaha progress seem so slow. What is the difference between Yamaha group piano and individual piano? Any advise? :?