What is the Yamaha Music Education System?


We believe that all children can learn and are ready to begin music training at a young age. Our programs are carefully designed to meet the unique needs and developmental stages of each age group.

Designed to meet the unique needs and developmental stages of each age group, Yamaha programs develop each student’s comprehensive musical ability in an environment that inspires a love of music and a lifetime of active music participation.

The Yamaha curriculum is broad compared to traditional private piano lessons. Children sing solfège, play the keyboard, sing songs with lyrics, move to music, play rhythm and keyboard ensembles and participate in music appreciation activities.

They develop diverse musical skills without prematurely focusing on one instrument or style. This approach allows students to choose their future musical path when they are more physically and mentally mature. Yamaha students are often leaders in school orchestra, band, and choir programs.

Classes are typically taught to groups of 6-10 children. This format motivates children and provides an opportunity to develop ensemble skills and cooperation within a supportive community of friends and parents.

Parents do not have to have a musical background to support their child’s learning. In the first few years, parents are deeply involved and learn right along with their child. Parent support and commitment are the most important.

Parental attendance facilitates accelerated growth. The parent/child partnership is active, not passive. Each partnership develops into a mini-ensemble, where co-learning, co-practicing and co-discovering can be enjoyed in class and at home.


Yamaha develops children’s musical skills with three fundamental principles:

Timely Education

In order for children to enjoy music and to absorb and understand the given material easily, we believe it is best to give them appropriate guidance in accordance with the degree of their physical and mental development. Based upon this concept of timely education, the Yamaha method introduces music fundamentals to children at the time when their hearing capabilities are rapidly developing.

Group Lessons

Group lessons have many advantages that enable children to enjoy rich musical experiences such as making friends through music, developing cooperativeness and deepening understanding of music through participation in ensembles. For this purpose, Yamaha has adopted a method whereby students can listen and play in a group, learning music while enjoying it.

Emphasis on Creativity

In order to enable students to develop their creative capabilities, it is important to help them develop the ability to express themselves by thinking freely. We hope to help them acquire and enhance sensitivity and imagination, which are both sources of creativity, through our comprehensive system of music education.


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Music Wonderland

Music Wonderland (MW – Age 3) is designed to provide children with an introduction to music in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. Together with their parents, children experience singing, introductory keyboard activities, movement, and listening to music. Music Wonderland lays the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyable music making through these carefully planned activities.

Course length: Two, 19-class semesters

Class schedule: One 45-minute class per week

Parent participation: A parent, guardian, or caregiver is required to attend each class with his/her child to serve as a learning partner. Periodic parent meetings cover subjects such as how to participate in class and how to assist at home.

Student Age: Children must have reached their 3rd birthday by September 1st for fall semester classes and by January 1st for a spring semester start. This requirement helps ensure that children will not be exposed to unnecessary frustration by being enrolled in a program for which they are not physically or socially ready.


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CURRICULUM


Listening Ability

As this is a most significant period of aural development, a rich and varied array of listening activities develops sensitivity and listening ability and enables students to perceive music’s power to vividly express images and emotions.

Social Development

Because of the importance of the parent in the life of a child this age, interaction between parent and child is an important focus in the group lessons. Also, through the group lessons children develop the basic skills of relating to other children and adults.

Keyboard Experience

Children experience sound through the keyboard and are introduced to the fun of keyboard playing. Appropriate to this stage in their physical development, initial playing activities engage the use of large motor skills.

Cultivation of the Imagination

Recognizing the significance of fantasy, play, and the imagination in the learning of children of this age, the activities, textbooks, and music are filled with suitable colorful, playful imagery, sounds, and subjects.

Grouping

Students are grouped according to age and maturity. Classes are occasionally regrouped to provide the best learning situation.

Upon Completion of the Course

For students and parents, the course establishes an outstanding foundation and motivation for enriched study and skill development in the Junior Music Course.

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Junior Music Course (JMC)

Junior Music Course (JMC – beginners ages 4-5) is 2 year program for children beginning at ages 4 or 5 that provides an incomparable foundation for future musical study on any instrument. Children experience singing, music reading and writing, playing the keyboard, ear training, and creating music.

Course length: Four, 19-class semesters

Class schedule: One 50-minute class per week

Parent participation: A parent, guardian, or caregiver is required to attend each class with his/her child to serve as a learning partner. Periodic parent meetings cover subjects such as how to participate in class and how to assist at home.

Age Requirement: To enroll in JMC, children must have reached their 4th birthday by September 1st for fall semester classes and by January 1st for a spring semester start. This requirement helps ensure that children will not be exposed to unnecessary frustration by being enrolled in a program for which they are not physically or socially ready.


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CURRICULUM

The in-class musical experiences nurture creativity and help instill the basis for playing and expression through feeling and understanding music. Lessons include:

• Hearing Listening to wonderful music helps children to develop emotional sensitivity, an ear for music and to feel and express music in time rhythmically

• Singing Children love to sing! Singing develops self expression, correct tempo, rhythm, pitch and understanding of note names

•Playing Performing songs introduces children to the joy of expressing music by themselves. Playing also helps students to become familiar with the five-line staff and keyboard and express music with both hands

•Creating Junior Music Course experiences cultivate children’s musical creativity and sense of harmony

Keyboard Purchase: All JMC students must have access to a keyboard or piano for practicing.

Upon Completion of the Course

Once your child has completed the Junior Music Course, he or she will take part in a “Fundamental Skills Survey” to confirm his or her musical achievement. Teachers refer to Survey results to correctly place students in advanced courses of study such as the Junior Extension Course and Junior Special Advanced Course. As the children develop more advanced musical skills, they are also encouraged to express themselves by performing and composing their own music through programs like Junior Original Concert.

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Young Musicians Course (YMC)

Young Musicians Course (YMC – beginners age 6-8) is founded on the belief that every child loves music. During this three-year program, children participate in activities that teach basic musical skills and encourage independence, creativity and self-expression. The course appeals to the imagination of a young mind and becomes an integral part of your child’s growth. Class activities include ear training, keyboard repertoire, keyboard harmony, music theory, exposure to arranging, singing, ensemble playing, and improvisation.

Course length: Six, 19-class semesters

Class schedule: One 50 minute class per week

Age Requirement: To enroll in YMC, children must have reached their 6th birthday by September 1st for fall semester classes and by January 1st for a spring semester start. This requirement helps ensure that children will not be exposed to unnecessary frustration by being enrolled in a program for which they are not physically or socially ready.

Grouping: Students are matched according to age, skill development and musical goals. Classes are sometimes regrouped to provide the best learning situation.


SEE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND REGISTER NOW!


CURRICULUM

Musicianship is taught through the use of a keyboard. Children are immersed in:

• Singing

• Ear training

• Repertoire (keyboard pieces)

• Ensemble playing (group performance)

• Keyboard harmony

• Arranging

• Keyboard technique

• Sight singing

• Sight playing

• Theory

Keyboard Purchase: All YMC students must have access to a keyboard or piano for practicing.

Upon Completion of the Course

Once your child has completed the Young Musicians Course, he or she can take the Yamaha Student Grade 9 Exam to confirm his or her musical achievement. Teachers refer to the exam results to correctly place students in advanced courses of study such as the Junior Advanced Course. As the children develop more advanced musical skills, they are also encouraged to express themselves by performing and composing their own music through programs like Junior Original Concert.