Advice on Music/Piano class for 4 year old please!

dutchess

New Member
hi mummies,

perhaps some of you can give me some feedback or advice. anyone sent their kid to yamaha junior course or chritofori's music for little mozarts?

I want my son to learn piano eventually so is it better for him to enrol in these sorts of general music appreciation program first? cos i'm afraid he will get bored if the lesson is too structured. Anyone has anyexperience with either school?

main factor for me is that the school has to be near our place in sengkang, hence, looking at these 2. There is one Sonare music school at Compass point too but i don't have any info on their program. Anyone knows? any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks!
 


Hi Dutchess,

I sent my gal to Christofori for abt 2 mths and withdrew her to go for private tutor, she's currently 4 yrs old.

I find that music school are quite commercialised and more ex, most teachers there will only 'deliver', and dont really care if your child is absorbing well.
 
Hi dutchess,

Feedback from my SIL who is a private piano teacher is Yamaha is a better choice over Christofori. Better structured and lower turnover of staff (change of teachers).

Also agree with sleepy garfield as I heard feedback from a friend. The music school will juz move on with their curriculum and doesn't really bothers about your child's progress. Since the parent is also involved during the lesson, it becomes the "kan cheong" parent's duty to make sure her child progresses when there's peer pressure etc.

Guess more ppl can feedback on this aspect?
 
I enaged a private tutor for my girl. After a year, she was bored and refused to practice. I stopped her lesson as I didn't want to nag everyday or force her.

I guess largely depend on the teacher's style of teaching. how she can make it more fun for the child? one-to-one can be very boring for the kid
 
hi!

thanks for the feedback. I also feel yamaha is more established. Agree that since parent is sitting in, the music school might not really bother if the child is coping or not. Then again, i know my son probably will get bored with one-to-one lesson esp if he's at home. I can imagine him running off to his room to play! sigh.... dilemma..
 
I sent my dgt to Yamaha in Sengkang CC Level 4.

I thot it's pretty interesting for the children and almost all the kids participate actively. The teacher is oso very nice and engaging.

I guess at age 3-4, kids can be enticed into learning music by having a fun learning environment.

Let me know if you want to know the costs for Yamaha SengKang.
 
hi PinkPigs,

thanks for the encouraging feedback. i actually have already enquired and signed my son up for the Jan intake. Just that in the meantime, having some doubts so wanted to get feedback.

Maybe can you tell me mroe about what they do in the class? Essentially, do they learn how to play the piano on top of the otehr stuff they learn like note reading etc?

anyone has any thoughts about solfege vs CDE learning (if you can call it that :p)?
 
As a piano teacher and has taught in music schools, i dont recommend music schools as they are really very commercialise. Also teachers cant really focus much on individual students.

i don't recommend suzuki method for piano as sight reading is more important. No harm letting your child taking JMC but it will be good to have a private teacher teaching sight reading and rhythm reading which is what JMC doesn't teach.

I have a no. of JMC and JXC students who have been going for lessons a couple of years in yamaha. They decided to have a private teacher after that or doing both JMC/JXC with private lessons. No matter how many years of suzuki lessons they have, i have to start all the way from beginning as in how i teach a pure beginner with absolutely no music background.

Hence think twice. I would like to clarify that i am not condemning suzuki method but just think that it is not well rounded. It has its pros like group activity, involving parents and training superb aural skills. Which these can be incoperate in private lessons as well.

Sorry for being so auntie but i have seen a lot of parents and students taking the wrong path.

Hope this will help
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hi pianojazz,

what exactly is the suzuki method? you mean to say form your experience, even after attending courses like JMC, students still don't know the basics and you have to start from scratch? Which means to say JMC doesn't even teach the basics and the foundation of music? Hmmm then what do they do in class then?

I personally had one-to-one private piano lessons when i was young. I was takgin lessons to take exams and i found it really boring. Only when i had a new teacher who let me play more fun songs that i started to enjoy it a bit more. But i was older then, and my son is only 4. So i would imagine he might be really bored if he has individual lessons.

Are you still teaching piano on an individual basis? Do yuo think kids his age will find it more fun to learn in a class rather than at home where they are in thier comfort zone and I would imagine, not want to sit still at the piano?
 
ya why is suzuki no good ? pls enlighten. By the way, what is JMC ? sorry i got no music background and also looking for music lesson for my toddler.
 
My 4 year old is attending the JMC course at Plaza Singapura. And we are into the 2nd term soon cos he requested for it.

The lessons are very structured and the teacher is basically just there to deliver the day's lesson. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to practise daily at home. But that's to be expected from a group lesson, right? I mean if the teacher were to spend some time with every student, how much can she teach in that 1 hour lesson then?

For Yamaha Music School, instead of teaching CDE for doremi, the students were taught to sing in do re mi fa so and play using 1,2,3,4,5. This deviates from most music teachings that advocate CDE for notes reading. Personally, I think that's a small issue which can easily be rectified. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I view Music Appreciation as different from learning to play an instrument. If you want your kid to play the instrument, my advice is to send them for 1-1 lessons. For Music Appreciation, I hope my kids will learn to appreciate music better. At the same time, I can also assess if he possess the interest in learning piano. There's a few reasons why I didn't start him straight away on any instruments. Firstly, I feel he may not have the dexterity required to play an instrument. Secondly, I do not want to restrict his choice in choosing an instrument. And lastly, he may not want to play any instrument except enjoying music.I do not want to fall into the trap of forcing him to pick up an instrument if he doesn't want.

Age wise, I have been advised to start the kids on any instruments when they are at least 5 year old. Guess that's the age where kids' fingers are more nimble and practices will be easier for them.
 
JXC (Junior Extention Course), 2 years course after JMC.

In JMC, one teacher to about 10 students. What can the teacher do? Most of the time is activities, and playing the piano through listening or solfege.

Students like activities and having lessons with others around their age. Hence is it not no good to start with JMC.

However if you can find a teacher who can incoperate everything during lessons, isn't it better?

I am not promoting myself but i do know there are also teachers like myself who does activities, listening, music appreciation as well as basic but strong music and piano foundation.

I have students starting at ages of 3 or younger. In my point of view, i prefer it this way as i have more time to do listening, activities and music appreciation instead of going straight into piano at the age of 5.

When students start at age of 3, i will teach a bit of piano also but very slowly. As they have smal and weak fingers, short atention span and wont have the discipline to practice themselves.

Of cos parents have to understand that learning will be very slow as i wont jump straight into the pace i will teach a 5 yr old.

But in order not to waste time, it is good to learn some basic foundation as soon as one starts music appreciation so as to relate to it.

Dutchess, for individual lessons, it depends a lot on the teacher. Do interview the teacher before starting lessons. It is also ok to start group lessons in yamaha but it wil be good to have another private teacher to guide on what is lacking in JMC.

Serenade, it is not easy to recitfy. I have seen students with a lot of difficulties. Of cos it depends on individual too. Most important is not to rely on numbers (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)
Cos if no number then cannot play.
 
hi pinkpigs,

Could you let me have the tel of the Yamaha at Sengkang CC and what is the cost/duration? Quite keen to send my 3yr old there. Thanks!
 
Hi pianojazz,

Please note this forum doesn't allow one to promote his/her own buisnesss. This includes posting biz website addy. Have you registered with Chin Leng in Marketplace & Exchange Corner (For Business) section? If not, you can approach Chin Leng to add you in the business listing for a nominal fee. Otherwise, you account could be suspended for soliciting buisness if the moderator comes to know about it.

Thanks for your sharing you views.
 
hi,

i don't think pianojazz is soliciting for business. the way i see it is that is she simply giving her views as a piano teacher herself.

anyway, after readign yuor views, i have to agree that maybe it is more impt that the child be exposed to music in general and then see if he is interested in any particular intrument. the last thing i want to do is to totally kill any interest in the child that he does not even want to consider picking up any musical instrument.

hi apple74,

if i remember correctly, the JMC is only for 4 - 5.5 years old kids.
 
Thanks Dutchess for helping me out
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Just my 2 cents worth and also trying to help out those who are having difficulties. Cos learning music is not what eeveryone knows like academic so just want to help out.

Serenade, thanks for your reminder. Will keep it in mind
 
Hi Dutchess,
I'm actually refering to pianojazz's post on her website in another thread.

Hi Pianojazz,
Not harm meant, but if the moderators do take action if somebody surfaces it. Didn't want to lose a music expert here ;)
 
Hi pianojazz,
Welcomed
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Hi Dutchess,
Do you have a keyboard/piano at home? If not, you may want to start looking around cos your child will need one to practice on.

After half a term with Yamaha, I feel that my son is showing interest in piano. He'll practise on the keyboard himself and eager to learn new pieces. So, I'm considering to enrol him for 1-1 lesson soon. To minimise the 1234 problem, I'm also teaching him to read notes using CDE at home. It's something you might want to consider doing with your child.
 
Hi dutchess,

I am considering Little Notes if I am starting him this year or Music Wonderland if starting next year. I guess will move him on to JMC if he shows an interest in music.

Good to read the feedback of mummies here. Plus I don't even realise that there is a Yamaha at Sengkang and last month was still lamenting that the nearest one seems pretty far away.

Thanks to PinkPigs for providing the tel
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Serenade,

You did the right thing. i have a parent learning under me and her daughter was doing JMC that time. I encourage her to teach her what i was doing with the mum (which is recognising the notes and learning CDE). Now the girl is in JXC and also under me now. Though i have to start with very basic with her (ie what i did with pure beginner) she learns very fast, twice as fast as a normal beginner of her age and of cos i skip the listening part as it is taught in yamaha already.
 
Hi mommies,
If you are interested in Yamaha Music School, try checking out that website. There are 2 types of Yamaha music schools - Direct Yamaha Music schools and those operating under licences. For direct music schools (e.g the Plaza Singapura branch), they accept students based on the birth date. So, a Nov 03 child will not be accepted for the Sept 03 intake. However, schools under operating licence operate differently. Some do take in younger children, i.e a 3.5 yr old can join the JMC course. And some offer trial classes too.
 
Better to take the yamaha school ones. Cos the other one, teachers are not as good.

Heard from some parents, and also, my prof is an advisor of yamaha
 
Thanks pianojazz.

I can only say that there's some differences between the 2 even though both are under Yamaha. Can't comment cos I have never tried those under operating licences.
 
No problem.

Actually i don't really recommend suzuki method unless parents can be like serenade, can teach CDE at home.

I really don't wish to see parents and children taking the wrong path. Of course, this is only my point of view and would just like to share my views. No offence
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Hi pianojazz, do you mean that you'd suggest to send kids to yamaha sch instead of suzuki if the parent know nothing abt music? Thanks in advance for your advice
 
Hi Giggler,

Yamaha JMC also uses suzuki method. It will be better to learn notes then suzuki method.

What Serenade means is there are 2 kinds of yamaha school. Like the one at tampines mall is under yamaha but the one at Loyang point is operated under licence.

From some of my student's parents, those operated under licence, teachers are not as good.

My prof is the advisor of crestar. Her grand daughter also goes through the JMC and JXC courses. The teaching is good for listening skills, however it is not enough as sight reading is also important. So it will be good to get another teacher to teach what JMC is lacking or mummy will have to teach them at home
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Piano Jazz

Do you know which music school is using the CDE method of teaching?

my elder girl learnt CDE method from her private piano tutor but their rapport weren't great & she didn't find her lessons interesting.

I am thinking of a music school as a change of environment, just to let her pick up her interest again
 
piano Jazz

I think the book is for pre-grade. She can play on both hands most of the nursery rhymes like old macDonald, twinkle twinkle little stars, jungle bells, happy birthday

She learnt for a year
 
Hi
My 4 yr old son has been going to yahama music appreciation course since Jan 07. from littlenotes (6 mths) to music wonderland currently. I can see that he is itching to learn to play the piano. but yamaha does not seem to teach piano to kids these young. Thinking of switching him to my inspirational music at kovan heartland mall for individual piano lessons. any comments on this music sch?
 
Hi Hippo,

you mean group lessons right? Mostly uses solfege. CDE method is more for one to one.

Constance,

I have a friend teaching there. But i would like to say music schools are very commercialise. Teachers who teach there mostly are to gain experience and get private students from there. It will be better if you can get a private teacher will good credentials and with teaching diplomas.
 
Hi all,

My son previously take 3 months of individual piano lesson with Oasis on a weekly basis. He seems not able to grap with the teacher is teaching at all. The teacher had advise us to let him practise at home, but we do not have any piano/keyboard for him at home. Even if we have, I have no music background, so I cannot help in his practise.

Some of my friend recommended me Yamaha as parent's involvement is allowed. In a sense, the teacher can "teach" both of us, so that when we are home, I am able to practise along with him. After reading some of the comments, I have some reservation again. Do you think it is better for me to get him a private tutor or let him try in Yahama? Will private tutor let either parent joined in the lesson and practise with the kids after the lesson?
 
busymummy

my girl's private tutor prefer that I do not sit in during the lesson but she will spend some time to brief me what they did during the lesson so that I can practice with my girl over the week

She taught in Yamaha school so I had the impression all these while that Yamaha school also uses the CDE method of teaching.

You can buy a Yamaha keyboard from Mustafa. Its price is lower than buying direct from Yamaha
 
Hi hippo2002,
If I'm not wrong, most other music schools use CDE for teaching. Think I read somewhere that Cristofori or Sempi uses CDE.

Hi busymummy,
Where do you reside? Some private music schools do allow parents to sit in. Though it's time consuming, but I think it's good to sit in with the child. For Yamaha JMC course, parents are required to sit in. There's also an accompanying DVD to reinforce the lessons taught in class. Having a keyboard at home is advisable cos your child needs one to practice on between lessons. No need to invest in a costly one, just a normal one would do. My niece started off with a very simple keyboard. If he shows interest, you can always invest in a better quality instrument at a later stage.
 
Hi busymummy,

You can always request to sit in. I have a couple of students with parents sit in. For parents who don't like to be involve, i will always brief them also. Also keep a notebok of what is learned during lesson and to practice and homework etc.

If taking one to one in music schools are using CDE method.

I currently have a student trying to sell his keyboard. If u are interested i can help you to ask him. I do have students using keyboard for a start. After learning one yr or so, they will change to piano. It is good to practice at home cos once a week practice during lessons is not enough. Moreover during lesson time, teacher can't spend much time with one student.

Try not to go to christofori cos i have a no. of students there and they have very weak foundation (read from numbers and worst is the teacher write if for them). They accept teachers from gr 7 onwards with no experience. They uses position method.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the advise, it really helps to paint a clearer picture for me. Yes, I think his school is using the CDE method when I am looking at the 2 books that we bought from there.

Yes, I also think once a week is definitely not enough esp when their lesson is only 1/2 hour each week. But the school do not allow me to sit in despite me requesting for it. In a sense, I also do not know what is being taught and my son also blur blur, so ended up not being able to pracise at all.

Pianojazz, maybe you can help me to ask ur student abt the price and condition of the keyboard? I am hoping to start off with something cheaper cos' dare not make too big an investment esp when I am not even sure if my son is going to be interested or not
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You can PM me on the details...thanks.

Serenade, I am residing in CCK. I also think it is good to sit in and that's the reason why I am thinking of Yamaha JMC cos' it allows parent's involvement. But looking at some of the comments here, it seems that the method of teaching is not recommended in the long run. By the way, any idea what is the estimated cost of a simple keyboard? Most of those I saw quite ex, in the range of a few hundreds. Like what you mentioned, I also wanted to invest in something simple and less costly, then proceed on to something better if my son really show interest.

By the way, do private tutor recommend any books for practise most of the time?
 
Serenade, you got a PM
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Busymummy, I'll ask him and get back to u asap
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Which books did you buy from the school? Those are for practice right?
 
Hi pianojazz,
Thanks for sharing tips and advices. Has been really helpful for a novice like me.
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Hi Busymummy,
Have you tried Carrefour? Think they carry a variety of affordable keyboards around $100 or less.

Your decision will depend on your intention for your child - to appreciate music by ear or learn to play piano itself. The JMC course is not meant for learning to play the piano. Here's a quote from the Yamaha's website -

<font color="aa00aa">In the first two years, the Foundation Stage focuses primarily on building the musical ability to LISTEN, to SING, to PLAY and to ENJOY music in a group-learning environment.

The primary objective of the Foundation Stage is to develop a keen and musical ear as well as a good memory for melodies, achieved through solfege singing. These fundamental abilities will enable your child to progress to not only playing of melodies on the keyboard, but also making their own accompaniments and creating their own style.</font>

Strictly speaking, a child is unlikely to be proficient in playing piano after attending the JMC course, as compared to a child who attends private lessons for the same length of time.

As for teaching methods, I can't comment much on it. But as a layman, I view music as a language like English, Chinese etc. And for a child, language is first acquired by ear. So for me, learning music by ear certainly has its advantages. I understand what pianojazz's concern on learning music by notes reading using CDE too. After all the ABRSM Theory Examination requires the child to read CDE. However, if a child is not ready to "read", it might kill the interest instead, just as we force a child not ready for reading books to read. But then you might ask when to start notes reading then? Well, I believe it's a progression just like any language - listening, speaking(singing), reading and writing(creating one's music). How a child progress will depend on his/her inclination. But with good support from teachers and most importantly parents, I believe a child will truly enjoy music. My hubby once attended a talk by a music professor. And his advice is let the child enjoy music, any music. And if he/she shows interest in learning, then send them for lessons. He has met many people who were forced to play instruments without loving or enjoying music. Sad, isn't it?
 
Absolutely. That's y i always hope parents can let their child learn earlier so that i can do things like listening and other activities. However, parents think thats a waste of time and always want them to learn fast.

So we need to give the child a balance. Need to let the child learn piano and at the same time motivate them so that it will not kill their interest. Tough huh haha
 


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