All About Music For Beginners & Selecting Instruments

[waiyean]

Hi, Seimpi Music has programs for toddlers

[MrsDreamaurora]

You can try Kindermusik or Yamaha Apple course.

[koshka]

Waiyean, is ur child with Seimpi? Wat do U think of their prog? Heard they use flashcards is it?

[waiyean]

koshka:

Waiyean, is ur child with Seimpi? Wat do U think of their prog? Heard they use flashcards is it?

Hi, yes my kids are with Seimpi. Found their program pretty good, at least I saw some results in my DD. They use flash cards as part of their teaching aid, this enables the child to learn sight reading very early. Also includes aural training for the child, which is very beneficial in becoming an all round musician.

[koshka]

Thanks for sharing Waiyean

[princesskaris]

Hi phankao,


Just saw your replies. Wow, it’s been some time. Can share with me which school your son is learning at? Thanks. I have yet to enrol my girl in any school as she keeps falling sick since she starts childcare this year but is getting better now, so considering to send her to enrichment now…

[phankao]

princesskaris:

Hi phankao,


Just saw your replies. Wow, it's been some time. Can share with me which school your son is learning at? Thanks. I have yet to enrol my girl in any school as she keeps falling sick since she starts childcare this year but is getting better now, so considering to send her to enrichment now..

Definitely long ago - bc the music school has moved to SAFRA Toa Payoh. There's only one music school there. You can check it out.

[Elizabeth35]

I think that the piano is the best first instrument, and that’s coming from a saxophone player. The guitar would also be another good option though. On the piano, your first note can sound good, whereas the violin or flute for example takes years of practice for one note to actually sound good.

[Dreamaurora]

I think the general consensus is that piano is a good starter instrument as it allows a wide flexibility of genres from classical to pop and also it is easier to lay solid theory background with the instrument. Instrument wise if budget is tight or not willing to commit yet can always get a 1000+ digital piano or rent studio at music schools on hourly basis. Unfortunately good instructors for any instruments are usually not cheap, though you may luck out in getting a good freshly graduated teacher. You do get what you pay for music lessons. Piano and violin instructors are of course the most numerous, other instruments such as flute or voice the options will be more limited. For cost wise, I guess violin may be the cheapest if your child’s primary school offers violin CCA.

[Crazy C]

Both piano and violin have their own plus and minus points.


Piano vs violin

Piano - good for two hands coordination, but investment cost on the instrument is quite high.

Violin - it helps to train the listening skills as the child progress to higher grades. At the beginner grades, the children have stickers pasted on their violins to help them identify the notes. Progressively, they have to listen by ears (without stickers on their violin) to get the notes. Cheaper outlay if you are not sure whether your child is into music. Of course, they will out grow their violins and have to replace every few months to a year. But once you hit about Grade 4 or 5, you may need to change your violin to a better quality one ($500 and above).

Guitar vs Ukelele

I think for the younger children, ukelele is much easier to pick up. I find the chord fingering easier to handle than a guitar (even as an adult).

That’s my 5 cents worth of view.