Yamaha Special Junior Advanced Course - Discussion

[gigue]

Hi acforfamily,

Thanks much for sharing about the JSAC concert!

Informative to learn about JSAC, and I think the curriculum and timing have not changed much since I took the course, like about, more than 20 years ago!! What fawnfawn described doing during lessons were exactly what I went through too! I remembered having to improvise music to a tune as HW, and we were not allowed to pen anything down, so we've got to play our own improvisations by memory. I learnt a great deal.

If a student has been selected for JSAC, what he/she learns will certainly strengthen his/her musical abilities.
[quote] acforfamily:
I know nothing about music but personally I have many friends who have gone through grade 8 ABRSM but know nothing about the things which my child is now learning[/quote].

I agree: that those who go through JSAC, like your son, will be learning a richer music curriculum than those who just focused on ABRSM exams.

gigue
http://all-things-piano.blogspot.com

[Busymom]

gigue:

Hi acforfamily,

Informative to learn about JSAC, and I think the curriculum and timing have not changed much since I took the course, like about, more than 20 years ago!! What fawnfawn described doing during lessons were exactly what I went through too! I remembered having to improvise music to a tune as HW, and we were not allowed to pen anything down, so we've got to play our own improvisations by memory. I learnt a great deal.

If a student has been selected for JSAC, what he/she learns will certainly strengthen his/her musical abilities.

Hi

Read from the other thread that you are sending your child to MYC. Wonder why have you made this choice, especially when you have attended Yamaha courses when you were young? What are the things that are different between MYC and Yamaha's JMC/JXC? I have long wondered about the differences between the two and looks like you could be the right person to answer this question!

[gigue]

Hi Busymom,


Thanks for your question.

My boy's at MYC because he's still a little too young for Yamaha's Junior Music Course, which takes in students at around 4 yrs old. He is currently 2.5yrs. So, I was personally comparing between Kindermusik and MYC. Frankly, I am intrigued by how MYC's curriculum incorporates composition, which is more similar to Yamaha than Kindermusik is. So, I decided to give MYC a try and see how they approach teaching young children in composition.

At this point, what I am seeing is my child learning many songs, and some basic concepts through songs. Personally, I would like to see more solfege singing. But, since my boy's just joined MYC, I'll see how he develops with the curriculum.

hope this helps!
gigue
http://all-things-piano.blogspot.com

[Busymom]

Thanks for sharing. Once you have learnt more about MYC, please continue to share with parents here. For myself, my son is also 2.5 years old, but I would most likely let him go to Yamaha’s JMC. Have you considered Yamaha’s Little Notes and Music Wonderland which cater to 3 year-olds and 3.5 year-olds respectively?

[gigue]

Yes, I may consider Music Wonderland when my kid is older - see how he develops through MYC now.


His older brother went through the Music Wonderland course, and I can see that the curriculum is well-organised and interesting.

However, my older kid's short attention span was not sustained during the lesson, and thus, he was fidgeting a lot on the electone bench, and not following teacher's instructions. So I decided to stop for a while. Every child is different - my older kid is more interested in art and craft. But I still would like him to take up music study, just haven't decided if I should be teaching him!! Any advice on this one??

gigue
http://all-things-piano.blogspot.com

[Busymom]

My DD went through Music Wonderland when she was 3.5 years old. Thereafter, we went on to JMC and are still in it today. On Music Wonderland, I have mixed feelings. Can’t quite remember what they do, except that there are some very nice songs which my DD liked. But from an adult’s point of view, I do think it is a bit too slow and draggy. Perhaps your DS1 finds it a little boring? Or maybe he is not the type who likes to do actions. I also wonder if my DS would take kindly to those actions…

[gigue]

Hi Busymom,


Thanks for your sharing!
Agree with you, the songs are well-written and the sound quality of the CD is good (to me it's important, because a cheap quality recording sounds really awful).

Personally, I think the life of any music class begins with the teacher. If the teacher is engaging, interesting, enthusiastic and, quite important on my list, able to manage a class of young 3-4 year olds, then, the learning is enjoyable. My boy's ex-teacher was a nice lady, however, I found that she is a bit too gentle to handle the boisterous-ness of some of the students.

gigue
http://all-things-piano.blogspot.com

[radiantmum]

My kid is successful in the JSAC audition - just got the notification post today. But was informed that classes will only start tentatively november after next batch of auditions. I wonder how long this will be delayed if they don’t get the minimal number of students to form the class.


Anyone knows if both the individual and group classes are to be all in Plaza Singapura? So far, are they on weekends or weekdays? I am more concern about logistics problem on weekday.

[acforfamily]

radiantmum:

My kid is successful in the JSAC audition - just got the notification post today. But was informed that classes will only start tentatively november after next batch of auditions. I wonder how long this will be delayed if they don't get the minimal number of students to form the class.


Anyone knows if both the individual and group classes are to be all in Plaza Singapura? So far, are they on weekends or weekdays? I am more concern about logistics problem on weekday.

Congratulations!
Group class is on weekend at PS. Indiv class must be on a weekday and can be a few locations depending on availability of teachers.

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http://www.musicbookstrade.blogspot.com/

[Busymom]

Hi radiantmum, congratulations!


Do you know how many got selected along with you daughter?

Is your daughter suppose to continue with JXC in the meantime while waiting for the Nov class to start?