Yamaha Junior Music Course (JMC) - Discussion

[baliismylife]

Hi Busymom,


I have accompanied my daughter in Yamaha Junior Music Course Primary Book 3. Can you help me how to practice Gavotte

Thanks

[zarahsmom]

My dd is currently on year 3 of JMC (or what they call Year 1 JXC)… she did FSS last December 2012, but never heard of the Advanced class…


is there anyone here whose dd or ds is already on the Advanced class? they probably postponed it due to low intake and is waiting for the next FSS…to form a class…

[baobei]

May I know if the teacher requested your child to get piano for practicing in JXC class? Mine says will switch to focus using piano in JXC and wanted all to get one. I saw this junior electone course, anyone found out the difference from JXC?

[zarahsmom]

baobei:

May I know if the teacher requested your child to get piano for practicing in JXC class? Mine says will switch to focus using piano in JXC and wanted all to get one. I saw this junior electone course, anyone found out the difference from JXC?

hi baobei, my dd's JXC teacher didnt ask her to switch to piano...however, we are already using digital piano at home to practice... teacher uses grand piano in class, while kids use electone in class..

not sure what the difference is between electone and JXC though.. i just know that JXC is an extension of the JMC 2 year course and is part of the 4 yr syllabus.. the Junior electone course is probably a standalone course (like ordering ala carte)

[baobei]

Thanks Zarahsmom! I thought the electone has different instrument sounds and rhythm built in, I was thinking that teacher would teach all these aspects of the electone and make learning fun especially for boys.

[baobei]

Haha the person on the line told me electone course is dry while JXC will allow child to switch to ABRSM upon completion. Wonder if children can skip the JMC and go to JXC?

[Angelight]

baobei:

Haha the person on the line told me electone course is dry while JXC will allow child to switch to ABRSM upon completion. Wonder if children can skip the JMC and go to JXC?

Hi, a music school goes strictly by the book. Hence, they will not allow you to skip JMC and go to JXC. My dd used to attend JMC but I took her out after one term and got a private teacher to teach her cos I realized the school pace was too slow for her. But some parents still prefer the structure of music schools. So it's different strokes for different folks.

[Khamullotr]

Hi,

Heard that Yamaha changed management last year and some old time teachers left. Is it true?

For JMC class, do we need to buy the electone? When is the best time to invest in a proper electone or piano? After 2 years? I do not know how long my daughter interest will last.
Am thinking I will use her current Casio keyboard till the need to change as my place is small and my living room cannot take a big instrument.

[zarahsmom]

baobei:

Thanks Zarahsmom! I thought the electone has different instrument sounds and rhythm built in, I was thinking that teacher would teach all these aspects of the electone and make learning fun especially for boys.

not really sure about the \"electone course\", but in both the JMC and JXC class the students use the actual electone to practice inside the class, and yes they do use some of the functionalities of the electone in the JMC/JXC class (but not all)..

in JMC/JXC its not just about \"how to use\" electone but how to harmonise with others, and how to \"hear\" notes and play..how to sing solfege.. then once they memorise solfege.. play it on piano...

for example solfege for london bridge is this.. after they know how to sing the solfege.. then they play on the electone (in class)..

the other parent in my dd's JMC class gave me tips on what to buy for my daughter 2 years ago (a Yamaha digital piano-- worth 1,100 sgd... as it is mid-way between an actual piano and a keyboard.. he said its great for beginners).. I believe if you already have a Casio keyboard stick to it for the meantime until you finish JMC/JXC...

I also believe you cannot skip JMC and go straight to JXC...

i also believe that 1on1 teaching versus JMC/JXC class have its own advantage/disadvantage.. its good to attend JMC class, then JXC class (then in addition to JXC class have 1on1 coaching).. then take ABSRM Grade 1 exam with the help of 1on1 coach..

i also think that the misconception that JMC/JXC class phase is slow is just that a misconception.. JMC/JXC class is different from normal piano class... in JMC/JXC the child is taught more than just playing piano.. they are being taught how to hear tones (a good foundation to become a musician-- meaning someone who makes/ composes music)...thats why we think its a bit slow;... as they teach more...

from age 4 years to 7 years children learn best by hearing... JMC/JXC takes advantage of this crucial stage to teach \"hearing tones and then placing tones on keyboard\".. if you have watched the movie Augsut rush \" its like hearing a sound\"-- and then matching it with a note on the keyboard...

for example,, just this weekend my daugher heard \"Are you sleeping are you sleeping brother john\" and she discovered the solfege for it...and then played it on piano (without looking at music sheets)...

[baobei]

To add on JXC teaches composition but ABRSM grade 1 only teaches it if you are on the theory path.


I also think a digital piano would be good, for Casio keyboard, would need to see the number of keys you have if enough. I have an electone and get a U1 based on advice for long run usage if child going grade 5. However, at grade 3 child kind of loses interests to go for exam. So, I concluded that I only need a digital piano if not sure of child long term interests. Digital piano would be something good to bridge between electone and acoustic piano when doing JMC and JXC.