I remember those excited feelings everytime I saw the interactive pamplet of Yamaha JMC. I even begin my girl on JMC before she reach 4 years old.. I honestly don't have that much idea on piano lesson.. As I am obviously not a pianist. I love piano but never really attempt to play. My husband grow up listening to lots of music because his dad can play the keyboard and piano and works with Yamaha. He naturally picks up all those musical ability just by listening even though he never really attend actual class.
So he bought an electronic piano.. which actually for himself :p (we actually have everything :p electronic drum and guitar) and I'm not playing.
I remember come across an article saying picking up a good teacher is very crucial in a kid's journey in piano playing.. a very long journey which I can see now.. Yup, Khayra 1st teacher is nice.. she progress so well but the teacher had to quit teaching. Khayra didn't get along so well with the technique of her second teacher which make me decide to change her to other Yamaha center to get a right schedule and get another teacher. And repeat some lessons. And now she progress really well.. I am so satisfied. With the new teacher technique, in order to get her to play well.. she suggest a lot of practice method.
Some says goes to personal teacher.. yes, i think personal is good so that the teacher can focus on the kids' progress but kids sure enjoy the group class.. A good teacher will bring in nice musical activities.. they will sing together with the piano and attempt to play in band. They have concert to play together. All these things we won't get if we hire personal piano teacher and just play at home. But parents need to work hard if attend group class.
The thing that might get parents turn away from JMC is parents need to be in class with the kids to learn together. Which we might think that it is wasting time to do household chores. Of course there's a reason of this. Japanese are diligent people. Things has been tested over time. Childs attention is short span.. and there's no way we make a pianist out of once a week practice. Knowing what happen in class can help us to practice with the kids at home. In other way of saying.. this is a forever commitment of parents if you want your kids to really play music until they are independent to play herself and stick to her schedule. Yes, a schedule.. kids actually have to play short time like 15 to 20 minutes everyday at least in order to progress well. Which is tough for both parents and children. I myself struggling actually because i’m a working mom :D
Why start so early.. The best way to learn music is through listening and singing rightly... So at age 4 and 5, kids develop their listening ability so it's the best time to encourage them starting at this age.(This is what research say) :D
Another thing we often forget about when it comes to wanting our kids to play music is the cost of instrument. We need a piano at home. According to Khayra's teacher.. classic is better than electronic and a classic piano can easily range from 10k.. To settle for electronic piano at the beginning stage, still it requires above 3k. We probably think, what if the kids don't want to play if we ourselves didn't play. But if we serious in doing it.. this is the way we should consider, the teacher said.. But we actually hasn't move to the classic piano.
Believe me.. it is an interesting journey.. there will be tantrums and tears and certainly joy of satisfaction when a song played so well.. The kids themselves will learn what is hard work and satisfaction. So welcome to musical journey.. :) Still a long journey to me too as my daughter now in her 2nd book of Junior Extension Class.. (JXC) We pass the JMC time. Looking back, I can't believe her progress.. looking at those tiny finger adapting to play things both hand which I myself couldn't do so well.. It worth all the sacrifice. And I hope she will continue well in this new journey. I admit it getting tougher as she moves to standard 1 with the whole day school, homework and piano practice. But we try our best to squeeze time :) Well, it's a hobby.. help the kids to love it by doing the way they prefer.
Khayra's JXC 1 performance
Khayra and Classmates
