Yamaha Special Junior Advanced Course - Discussion

[honeystar]

radiantmum:

Hi Busymom, on FSS test


Hi Honeystar,

For Yamaha Junior Course, kids are only required to make a choice from electone or piano after Yr 4/JXC. Typically parents are not certain about the sustainability of kids' interest so most would want to buy a reasonable keyboard first (cheaper) before they make the heavier financial commitment. Check out the other threads on piano selection - they have more info / advice from other parents.

2nd hand CD/DVD/materials - I still have mine (all in excellent condition) and if you want to PM me to make a reasonable offer I can perhaps let go

Thx Radiantmum, has PM U.

[acforfamily]

radiantmum:

Looks like JSAC offers quite a number of performance opportunities for students - good exposure in building one's confidence as well.

There are 2 standard ones that the students have to do. One is the ensemble tomorrow and the other is the individual performance which is usually done in Yamaha showroom. All done under \"non-threatening\" situation so it is quite fun for the kids.

As for the ensemble tomorrow, just found out that they will be performing the students' compositions too. So, if you missed out on the Junior Original concert, you can catch the pieces here too.

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Look here for 2nd hand music books!
http://www.musicbookstrade.blogspot.com/

[radiantmum]

Rushed like mad after work. Reached Toa Payoh CC. Was relief initially that we reached few minutes before 7pm. Then realised that we went to the wrong CC - Toa Payoh Central not Toa Payoh West :stupid: Gave up! My kid was so disappointed

[acforfamily]

radiantmum:

Rushed like mad after work. Reached Toa Payoh CC. Was relief initially that we reached few minutes before 7pm. Then realised that we went to the wrong CC - Toa Payoh Central not Toa Payoh West :stupid: Gave up! My kid was so disappointed

Oops, so sorry to hear that. Should have warned you that there are a few ccs in Toa Payoh. It is actually not there far from the Central CC.

[precious3]

Hi there....


Looking for some advice... My son is just about completing year 1 of the JSAC course. He has just completed the Yamaha Grade 9 exam. Any of your kids taking both the Yamaha and ABRSM exams? Not sure if I should get my son to do the ABRSM exams too.... Anybody know the standards of the two exams? Are they about on par? Can I assume that if he can do well in the Yamaha exam, that he should be ablel to do well in the ABRSM exam too??

Tks in advance

[radiantmum]

Hi acforfamily, no sorry - your venue detail is clear but i blur ;-<


Hi precious3, I thought all Yamaha students have to take BOTH the Yamaha as well as ABRSM exams? Can’t help you here as mine has yet to start the class - & getting edgy too not knowing schedule upfront ;-<

How’s JSAC 1st year been for your son?

[precious3]

Hi radiantmum,


Congratulations to your child!!

JSAC 1st year has been...... Interesting

I think my son has picked up quite a bit from the 10 months he's been in the class (he and a few others joined an existing class that started 3 mths earlier). The course is quite demanding.... the songs are not easy to play and therefore requires quite a bit of practice, which of course my son doesn't do!! However he enjoys the lessons which I guess is a good thing. He's just started on his composition piece so that's quite exciting for all of us

No, JSAC doesn't require the children to take the ABRSM. Only the Yamaha exams are compulsory. That's why I'm in a fix as to whether to do ABRSM as well. Oh well....

I hear that Year 2 is going get tougher... :!: But you don't have to worry about that yet.... enjoy Year 1 first :lol:

[hquek]

hi parents,


My DS1 is in JMC, currently he’s on the last book. I understand there is an assessment done toward the end - figure it’s the FSS mentioned in the earlier postings.

My dilemma is that while DS1 can play the pieces in book 3, he still has problems identifying the sounds (ie do mi so; do fa la; etc) when teacher plays, and has problems with reading notes on paper (he’s playing based on memory). He’s also not keen to continue with music classes though he’ll dutifully practise when I ask him to. The reason he cited for not liking music is that he hates to practise.

Query: for parents with kids that had progressed past JMC, how do you gauge if to continue to the higher levels? Play well? Able to identify the notes sung?

I’m fretting if I should just let him give up music. Or perservere on.

Thanks!

[radiantmum]

precious3:

Hi radiantmum,


Congratulations to your child!!

JSAC 1st year has been...... Interesting

I think my son has picked up quite a bit from the 10 months he's been in the class (he and a few others joined an existing class that started 3 mths earlier). The course is quite demanding.... the songs are not easy to play and therefore requires quite a bit of practice, which of course my son doesn't do!! However he enjoys the lessons which I guess is a good thing. He's just started on his composition piece so that's quite exciting for all of us

No, JSAC doesn't require the children to take the ABRSM. Only the Yamaha exams are compulsory. That's why I'm in a fix as to whether to do ABRSM as well. Oh well....

I hear that Year 2 is going get tougher... :!: But you don't have to worry about that yet.... enjoy Year 1 first :lol:

My take is no harm and with JSAC's foundation, should be no sweat handling it, right? :lol: What is the teacher's advice?

[radiantmum]

hquek:

hi parents,


My DS1 is in JMC, currently he's on the last book. I understand there is an assessment done toward the end - figure it's the FSS mentioned in the earlier postings.

My dilemma is that while DS1 can play the pieces in book 3, he still has problems identifying the sounds (ie do mi so; do fa la; etc) when teacher plays, and has problems with reading notes on paper (he's playing based on memory). He's also not keen to continue with music classes though he'll dutifully practise when I ask him to. The reason he cited for not liking music is that he hates to practise.

Query: for parents with kids that had progressed past JMC, how do you gauge if to continue to the higher levels? Play well? Able to identify the notes sung?

I'm fretting if I should just let him give up music. Or perservere on.

Thanks!

It differs from kid to kid and it's a difficult question for others to comment leh. I would possibly evaluate ... has there been a change in his music interest? What causes the change? Do you feel that he's giving \"excuses\" to avoid practices or he simply does not like music? If it's clear cut no interest and not a motivation issue, then I guess for me the choice is clear. So far most parents' dilemma I noticed is whether to go for 1-1 or group class.