Yamaha Junior Music Course (JMC) - Discussion

[micollh]

hquek:

JMC uses electone and trains kids more on hearing (some sight reading is included). Cristofori I believe is the more 'traditional' route where there is emphasis on sight reading and piano playing. I hear the classes at C are more intense and heavy going - and that JMC on the other hand seems to be slower and more easy going.

Thanks. I ask my col, they said Yamaha is better but cant explain why better. Thanks for the info.

[coast]

peanut_butter:

Seems like the case for many of my Yamaha transferred students. They tend to play expressively but the sight-reading part is.....


However, a couple of days ago, I had a first lesson with a JXC student. She reads reasonably well (using solfege). The mother says they both used to practice daily in their first year. Hmm... I don't think my other students do it adequately. I suspect it depends on the level of commitment to practices, even thought JMC is supposed to be \"fun\".

Yes, during JMC (first 2 years), there's alot more playing than sight reading. Most students can read solfege (slower pace) but they rely on their memory to play well.

My DS just started JXC (3rd and 4th year) and already they have a stronger emphasis on solfege.

[coast]

micollh:

hquek:

JMC uses electone and trains kids more on hearing (some sight reading is included). Cristofori I believe is the more 'traditional' route where there is emphasis on sight reading and piano playing. I hear the classes at C are more intense and heavy going - and that JMC on the other hand seems to be slower and more easy going.

Thanks. I ask my col, they said Yamaha is better but cant explain why better. Thanks for the info.

Apart from playing electone (most kids have no issues playing piano at home and electone in Yamaha) and the \"fun\" part, JMC covers various areas like listening, singing, memory singing (solfege), ... I feel it gives the kids a good musical foundation and not just piano playing.

[jane84]

I dont think Yamaha way is that good. I have noticed friends whose children graduated from the programme all with bad technique. I play the piano too. No curved fingers, wrist dropping down etc…

[pinkapple]

what Jane said is true to a certain extent.


My son is in Yamaha JMC. since it is a group lesson, teacher does not emphasis on curved fingers, wrist, etc. She does point out now and then to the students/ parents but she not not enforce it.

think Yamaha JMC is more music appreciation rather than piano techniques. You can supposed to move on to proper/formal piano training after JMC.

Yes, Yamaha JMC is slower paced and more easy going.
that’s the reason why I put my son there actually.
He was with seimpi school of music when he was younger. Their program is great really. but my son refused to play on the keyboard cos we didn’t practise at home and he can’t play well so in the end he refused to play.
Hence I decided to try a slower pace class.
so far the effect is good. He is now able to play and does enjoy playing on the keyboard. So I’m fine with slow.

solfege singing trains hearing and gives meaning (and sound) to sight reading so I think it suits us fine too.

[micollh]

pinkapple:

what Jane said is true to a certain extent.


My son is in Yamaha JMC. since it is a group lesson, teacher does not emphasis on curved fingers, wrist, etc. She does point out now and then to the students/ parents but she not not enforce it.

think Yamaha JMC is more music appreciation rather than piano techniques. You can supposed to move on to proper/formal piano training after JMC.

Yes, Yamaha JMC is slower paced and more easy going.
that's the reason why I put my son there actually.
He was with seimpi school of music when he was younger. Their program is great really. but my son refused to play on the keyboard cos we didn't practise at home and he can't play well so in the end he refused to play.
Hence I decided to try a slower pace class.
so far the effect is good. He is now able to play and does enjoy playing on the keyboard. So I'm fine with slow.

solfege singing trains hearing and gives meaning (and sound) to sight reading so I think it suits us fine too.

I want something for my DD to enjoy and have interest to continue, i think start yamaha JMC is great in that sense.. after the 4 years or so, then should i still continue with yamaha if seriously want to continue in grading and all? how abt cristefori after that? any experience to share? thanks all

[hquek]

DS1 went through jmc with straight fingers. Teacher did mention before to curve but in a group class, what can she do?


Some kids naturally can do curvy, but mine couldn’t. Anyway, as he progressed and the pieces got harder, he started to learn to curve a bit more. Now, about 1 year into CPC, he has no issues with curving - but that is an individual course so the teacher’s eyes are trained on him only.

Having been through one round, what I got is that JMC and JXC teaches musicanship and not so much on technique. Kids should be able to hear a piece of music and replicate, and even put in chords and accompaniment. This is what the usual ABRSM doesn’t do.

For playing techniques, individual piano courses would be better - but kids should (according to them) only start about age 6 when their finger muscles are better developed.

[cantbearit2]

I tink ultimately depends on wat u try to achieve wif e course. In my case, my DD pester me 4 it so i juz thot of trying out. If aft e 4 yrs, she's still keen, we shall continue wif formal 1-1 piano. If not, she will at least develop some appreciation for music.


If u R more interested in grading, then I agree tat JMC is too slow paced & does not emphasis much on sight read & techniques.

[engp9337]

I was told by the teacher that you can start one-to-one concurrently with JXC. JMC is for ear training and if you’d like to go for more advanced piano skills or grading in the future, should go for one-to-one.

[micollh]

hi all, can i ask, yest i went to register for JMC class for my DD , there is a list of things to buy like the book, CD, DVD, blahh… any of those that u thk i can exclude? thanks . i have the books (fren gave it to me), u think i can reuse? but the stickers are used already