Yamaha Junior Music Course (JMC) - Discussion

[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.

[zarahsmom]

i agree baobei… am very much happy with our current yamaha digital piano it serves the purpose for our current needs… (JMC/JXC up to ABSRM Grade 1)… not sure if my gal or I will have enough funds to sustain up to the higher grades…we just want her to have a good foundation… we will then get her exposed to church choir and the pianists in our church cell groups so she will learn church songs (if there is interest)…


if I see extraordinary interest for theoretical training… then I will do my best to fund it… for now… am playing by "ear"

[sunshine05]

Is JMC only offered at Yamaha branches?

Are there any other music schools which are "licensed" to provide such course?

Thanks.

[Barbiemoney]

radiantmum:

most yamaha students i know take both yamaha exams and ABRSM exams together

It's just like Kawai music school, the students can take Trinity and ABRSM exam concurrently.

[Barbiemoney]

sunshine05:

Is JMC only offered at Yamaha branches?

Are there any other music schools which are \"licensed\" to provide such course?

Thanks.

Music act -Limbang & Sengkang

[Barbiemoney]

zarahsmom:

i agree baobei.. am very much happy with our current yamaha digital piano it serves the purpose for our current needs... (JMC/JXC up to ABSRM Grade 1).. not sure if my gal or I will have enough funds to sustain up to the higher grades..we just want her to have a good foundation.. we will then get her exposed to church choir and the pianists in our church cell groups so she will learn church songs (if there is interest)...


if I see extraordinary interest for theoretical training.. then I will do my best to fund it.. for now.. am playing by \"ear\"

Sorry to be honest,i Totally disagree for digital piano can use to practice while preparing for ABRSM graded exam.
Digital piano can't achieve:
1.The control of Touch between right hand and left hand
2.Tone clarity for staccato playing.
3.the sustain pedal feel

And also FYI diploma level exam need to use grand piano, there will have different between grand and upright piano.

[zarahsmom]

Barbiemoney:

zarahsmom:

i agree baobei.. am very much happy with our current yamaha digital piano it serves the purpose for our current needs... (JMC/JXC up to ABSRM Grade 1).. not sure if my gal or I will have enough funds to sustain up to the higher grades..we just want her to have a good foundation.. we will then get her exposed to church choir and the pianists in our church cell groups so she will learn church songs (if there is interest)...


if I see extraordinary interest for theoretical training.. then I will do my best to fund it.. for now.. am playing by \"ear\"

Sorry to be honest,i Totally disagree for digital piano can use to practice while preparing for ABRSM graded exam.
Digital piano can't achieve:
1.The control of Touch between right hand and left hand
2.Tone clarity for staccato playing.
3.the sustain pedal feel

And also FYI diploma level exam need to use grand piano, there will have different between grand and upright piano.

that's fine barbie we are all entitled to our own opinion. though I am particularly responding to a parent who is asking whether a casio keyboard is enough...to me (and this is just for me).. digital piano is enough up to ASBRM Grade 1 --- (and my dd's piano teacher agree on this)... am not sure if my dd have the interest to pursue higher grades.. so I would not buy a grand piano if there is no clear interest...grand piano is very expensive.. i still have other things to spend my money on...

[waiyean]

zarahsmom:

that's fine barbie we are all entitled to our own opinion. though I am particularly responding to a parent who is asking whether a casio keyboard is enough...to me (and this is just for me).. digital piano is enough up to ASBRM Grade 1 --- (and my dd's piano teacher agree on this)... am not sure if my dd have the interest to pursue higher grades.. so I would not buy a grand piano if there is no clear interest...grand piano is very expensive.. i still have other things to spend my money on...

Well, I think digital pianos are not enough for ABRSM exams, if you are serious into learning the instrument well. Reason is, the tones on digital pianos and keyboards are pre-recorded, hence the pianist is not really producing the tone. It is important to learn how to produce a good tone right from the beginning, i.e. grade 1.

You do not have to go to extremes and get a grand straightaway. A good upright is sufficient for grade 1.

[zarahsmom]

thanks waiyean for the suggestion, I will take your advice on the upright piano if and only if there is clear interest on my dd’s part to pursue higher grades (I am not that serious about piano-- I just want her to have the basics and appreciation for music)…and again, pls take my response abt the digital piano in context (responding to a parent asking whether she should buy casio keyboard or electone to complete JXC— which is mainly music appreciation rather than ABSRM focused… using it up to ABSRM grade 1 is like extending its lifetime to its fullest specially for parents like me)…


if I have extra 3,000 sgd I would rather buy an upright piano than an electone though…