Yamaha Junior Course

Course Details:

Yamaha Music School offers a 4-year comprehensive music education using its very own unique teaching methods. Designed to start at 4 to 5 ^1/2 years old, this well-structured course aims to develop your child's sensitivity to music.

   Year 1 & Year 2  - Foundation Stage (JMC)

   Year 3 & Year 4  - Developmental Stage (JXC)

Yamaha Junior Course (YJC) is based on the following concepts of the Yamaha Music Education System:

Timely Education

Timely Education means developing abilities at the most efficient age with the most effective method.  YJC is designed using materials and methods that cater specially to your child's mental, physical and emotional development, thus allowing them to learn music in a natural and enjoyable way.

Ear First

The fastest way to acquire the language of music for 4 to 5 year old children is to learn through the ear. 

Group Learning

Group learning is the most ideal style for young children. Being together, they motivate each other while at the same time, create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for learning.

Parent Participation

In the first 2 years of YJC, a parent accompanies the child during lessons so as to provide support and companionship to the child.  Immediate feedback regarding the lesson can also be given to the teacher.  The parent attends each lesson and participates in lesson activities so that these same activities can be continued at home.  It also enables the parent to supervise home practice more effectively.  The approach allows both parent and child to enjoy the pleasures of musical activities together and nurture a special bond through music.

Keyboard As A Learning Tool

Keyboard instruments are the best instruments for children to begin their music study with.  Because of the fixed layout of the keyboard, notes and sounds can be identified easily and accurately. Also, the important elements of music such as melody, harmony and rhythm can all be expressed by one child playing at the keyboard.

The extensive range of music subjects covered in the Yamaha Junior Course includes:

•  Songs
•  Rhythm
•  Solfege Singing
•  Ensemble
•  Keyboard Repertoire
•  Rudiments
•  Keyboard harmony/ Cadences
•  Creativity

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.

At the end of the Foundation Stage (end of Year 2), your child's musical abilities will be assessed through the Fundamental Skills Survey (FSS).

In the Developmental Stage(end of Year 4), ensemble playing provides your child with a unique experience in music making as many parts blend together to create a beautiful piece of music.  Through this entire process, our students acquire the basics of music and learn to express their individuality through it.

At the end of the Developmental Stage, your child will sit for the Yamaha Grade 9 Performance Examination and the ABRSM Grade 1 Theory Examination.