Yamaha Piano Competition - Music school level

Yay...2nd place   :-)

Last Saturday, unlike any other Saturday or any other long weekend that we normally have (meaning...driving off somewhere to have a 3-day-city-break)...we found ourselves woken up early and quite nervous. Yes...last Saturday was my oldest girl's first piano competition. Yamaha, annually conducts piano competition which started from the music school level, regional, up to international level. Early of this year, her new private piano teacher encouraged her to try herself. It was quite difficult to 'force' her to join the competition (my oldest has never had any initiative to participate in any event ‎​=.=! pheω...‎​⊙﹏⊙) . But after some encouragement...persuasion...threatening...bribing (with US$60 Lalaloopsy doll if she could pull it)...you name it...finally she agreed to join it. Her teacher didn't elevate our hope...no sugar coating here. She just merely pointed out that this competition would give her an experience and hopefully provide her a motivation to do more - since she had the capability for it (*crossing fingers*). She fell into Junior B category for 9-11years old children. The teacher also told us that her fingers' strength aren't enough to produce the required sound. For crying out loud...my girl is only bone and skin and yet I wondered...should I ask her to practice weight-lift on her finger? Anyway, that didn't prevent me to keep encourage her...to push herself (I remembered my yelling and hand gesturing so that she could press the key louder and harder...power girl! Give me your power! More! Man...other who didn't see me would have thought I was teaching weight-lift "̮˚°◦♡ώκωķ(∩_∩)◦°˚"̮ )...watch her practice...praise her when she did it perfectly and of course scold her when she played lousy.

The sole winner in Senior category

The winners in Junior C category

For 3 whole months, she had been dedicating her time (even for only 10mins) everyday to practice this song, regardless her-piling-homeworks or other-extra-classes or even her-demanding-monthly-exams. For 3 whole months, she didn't learn any new songs from her new level-up-book of Forte 8 (she even hasn't completed the last Forte 7) while her classmates have been playing the new pieces. Still I encouraged her...I said: it doesn't matter...since she has an ability to play new piece in nick of time (but not master it). She only took 3 days (in total not more than 90mins) to fully memorize the 3-page-composition for her competition...quite an accomplishment for me :-) But she took longer to master the song, to play it according to the required tempos, the dynamic markings and any musical signs and marks on the composition perfectly.

The winners in Junior B category

The song chosen by her teacher is Doll's Dreaming and Awakening of Theodore Oesten (1813 - 1870) or known as Doll's Dream. The composition has 3 different parts, which started with an andante and low sounds as the doll is starting to sleep. The music will be dimmed slightly at the end of the first part, indicating that the doll is fast asleep. Then the notes start to pick up its speed to moderato tempo while the doll is dreaming (apparently, a Ħªppy dream) The second part will end with louder and faster sounds until it hits the vermata when the doll is awaken from its dream. Then the third part is played lively in allegretto tempo, fast and hypnotic tunes while the doll is dancing...making its dream coming true. Hope...expectation...dream are all expressed within the most difficult part of the composition, rising higher and higher...going faster and faster...louder and louder. Until the end when the doll is stop, the fleeting tunes from high notes to the lower ones before it hits the final vermata.

Participation certificate

From my amateur eyes and ears, this is a hard song, especially the last part. My girl had difficulty in expressing herself with it...where she had to play fast but yet produced the loud and clear sounds...where she had to play faster and produced a light continuous twinkling sounds. Sometimes I was amazed seeing her finger danced on the keys not elegantly like the pros but it looked pretty awesome for me. She had tried her best (I knew it)...she gave the best and I knew perfectly that she had won. She won because she defeated herself (her shyness to perform in a solemn and intimidating atmosphere of a competition)...because she tackled this song...and because she kept trying and practicing (even when her parent didn't expect her to bring home a trophy)...and because she braced herself to play (regardless her cold feet). So for all these, she deserved my-standing-applause. Bravo girl!

The music score

Congratulation for winning the second place for Junior B category girl...уσυ rock!
Click here to watch her playing (on YouTube)

Harmony Music School - Pluit Village

I have told you bout how hard it was for me to look for a weekday nJAC class, haven't I? Anyway, as per our decision, we settled for the one @Pluit Village, Harmony - Yamaha Music School. I am pretty impressed with the school management (compared to poor management of Sincere M2S). 45mins prior the class, the admin called to remind me of it (I appreciated it, the call confirmed that the class was running). And when I arrived at the school, all books and CDs were ready for me, as well as the payment receipt (a smooth way to request my fee payment 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】). Too bad, I didn't get any disc for full semester payment (normally the school gives 10% off) but apparently, each school may have different policy. However, on the other hand, the school didn't ask me to re-register my girl (normally transferring student from other school is required to pay the registration fee). Saved me of 200k something on it уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу!

Since it take place on a ruko, the classes are small (I bet, even a low sigh can be heard LOL) especially the private room which is quite shoulder-to-shoulder. Lucky my girl got her private class in a bigger class. The waiting room isn't as cozy as the Sincere M2S (where they have a room with lots of table and chair, so it is quite comfy for us to have our meals there or for my girls to do their HW). Here, no table is around and the-so-called-hard-cushioned-benches are customized book drawers. It is difficult to sit there for a long time...guess I would spend more time inside the class which is way more cozy.

But not the size of the class that surprised me, but that parent is allowed to sit inside the class throughout the whole session. At first, I thought the teacher was being considerate when she allowed me (I asked nicely, explaining that it was the 1st day and I would like to know her way of teaching) to sit inside the class (at the back, leaning on the wall). And I was quite taken aback when all the parents rushed in when the class was started and took seat right beside their children (what??? Was this Music Wonderland class???).

I haven't gotten my surprise yet, when the teacher called one student to the piano corner, with her mom tagged along and sit right beside the piano...what??? I was kind of jaw dropping (literally)...it was worse than Music Wonderland class (class for toddler). Well, the teacher might has her own policy to allow the parent to stick so close with their children, eventhough the Yamaha rule encourages the student to be independent from nJXC class. I haven't figured it out whether I want to stick around my girl like those, her class-mates...I don't think my girl would appreciate the closeness (I tend to nag her a lot 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】).

Apparently those 3 students are taking piano exam in the next few weeks, so the teacher said for these 2weeks, she is going to focus on the exam preparation before starting the nJAC lesson. So my girl, the only one who took electone exam (held last Sunday) was being told to self-study the nJAC material phewww...what a waste Miss

Anyway, the teacher looks attentive and pretty good. I hope my girl can have two-awesome-years here *crossing fingers*

Yamaha nJAC - New Junior Advance Course

Уєѕ! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ уєѕ!, finally the New Junior Advance Course (nJAC). It's the continuation course of nJXC 4 (if you are confused, please refer to my previous writing of Yamaha Electone course), according to Yamaha Music School curriculum. The total duration of this course will be another 2years (4semesters) with exam once every 2semesters. And upon completion of this course, the student will be rewarded with Yamaha piano/electone grade 8 and 7 consecutively (it's still a long way to grade 5 ‎​(>_<、) pheω...‎​(・ω・`メ)(-ω-｀メ) ) 加 油 girl!

Eventhough it's called nJAC1 (the Solfege and Ensemble book being used is #5, continuation of nJXC Solfege and Ensamble book #4). Beside it, we also use Piano Forte #7 for the repertoire practice and lesson (for the private lesson). It is quite a giant leap from Forte 4 (the recommended level for nJXC4) to Forte 7. Even the private piano teacher expressed her worry.


The teacher's doubt was reasonable, since when I quickly flipped the books over, well...it appeared to my ameteur eyes, a few levels of difficulty above nJXC (I can't sight play these while I still can sight play the ones on nJXC - shame on me but I have to admit, I need several secs to identify the notes and mind you, there are lots of them lined up neatly on the books). Guess, I have to catch up my notes reading...and playing...fast! And both me and my girl just have to practice more and harder...(`へ´*)ノ 頑張ってください...gαмвαттє кυ∂αѕαι!

Counting blessing

During this weekend, I was so Ħªppy...many good things came on our way. The foremost news was that I finally found a continuing yamaha class for my oldest girl. The school that my girls go right now (Sincere M2S) doesn't open a new class for nJAC this August, therefore, I'd spent roughly 3weeks browsing yamaha music schools in Jak-ut area. Apparently nJAC was quite rare, most of nJXC4 graduates continue to the newly-introduced nJNC (which costs only half the tuition fee with single group class). Some schools have the class runs on weekend and I hate class on weekend (it's more pricey and we basically can't go anywhere). I was almost hopeless until I broadened my search to Jak-bar area and found a school @PV which has the weekday class up and run in this August.уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Can't wait to enroll my girl there (well, I still have to work out the conflicting schedule but I still have more or less a month to arrange it).


I am watching Spiderman 3 on tele while I am writing this (I normally write stuff on my mobile - so I can write anywhere and anytime, which I transfer to my laptop every 1-2days), made me remember the new movie of Peter Parker, The Amazing of Spiderman that I watched with my husband a nite before @the nearest cineplex. Another blessing for a mom of two, to have this rare moment to spend with my dear hubby (with no girls tagging along). It's priviledge, considering some of my friends envy me (they keep telling me that I am so lucky "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮)...guessed I have them to thank for keep reminding me.


Talking bout the movie, I liked the new Spidey, he was cool, smart (with photographic memory?) but not being a nerd, simple college guy who tried to impress the girl he set his eyes on, and had a good heart too (awesome wasn't he? I would love to have one he he he). I happened to like the girl too (Gwen). She was so sweet, effortlessly charming (than MJ) and apparently both of them had a pretty good chemistry on the movie.


I loved the scene where Spidey (in his unitard) standing on the top of a building, carrying a backpack. I was laughing so hard...it was so human...and yet made sense. Well he needed his backpack to keep his suit and mobile. And I laughed harder when he was ransacking his backpack, finding his ringing mobile. Who knows on the next sequel (yes, it is a trilogy), they will attach a belt on the spidey suit for a mobile phone. Bet you, never seen a superhero saved the world while running an errand 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】


Beside the actors, the story itself was a typical hero movie, which saved the world @the very last seconds. Big difference was this movie had this cute and witty side (I laughed a lot...really enjoyed it). I considered this spidey much better than the previous 3spidey movies. And made me wondering, what will be on the next sequel. Bet it is a secret...as I recalled the sentences told by the aunt to Peter in the movie - "Secret always has its price. It is never free, not now and not in the future"


Another blessing in the row that starting from July, my hubby is off-work on Saturday (on call basis only) уααу!ヽ(▽￣　)乂(　￣▽)ﾉ уααу! Another reason calls for celebration...I could feel my brain has been ticking, planning some out-of-town weekend. But no plan for this weekend, since I need to put my car for the routine service. But I managed to get my dear hubby to do it, saved my face 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】. I still remembered my embarrashment when the last time I went, the service advisor scrutinized my car and marked the paper for all scratches on the body...basically all side "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮ . Apparently, he was amazed by my ability to scratch the car LOL. But now, the service advisor didn't take a look at all when my hubby dropped it. Ehm...does he consider men to be a better driver than women do? Eventhough my hubby was responsible for half of the scratches on my car.


Whatever, I wouldn't brood over it anyway. I learnt this from my 6yo girl (geez...is she more mature than me?). If she was upset/angry/badmood...she goes beserk for few mins then afterward, she forgets it. She is back to her-good-self. Man...I envy her (^.^) and I love her.


And I thank уσυ all, who frequent my blog and give me input and motivation to keep writing. Love you all and wish you guys have a wonderful weekend and ready for Monday   :-)



Uuppsss...I forgot. Our precious handycam (believe me, you don't need touch up with Adobe using this) was fixed - finally. It was broken down in the middle of our last trip, incidentally fell and blank on the lcd screen hiks...How bout the pics that we had been taken during the last week? We went to Panasonic service center and was told that ours is considered a new model (even though we bought it last year) and apparently is not sold here. Therefore, we should wait for another 2 months for the sparepart, not to mention min a million for the fee...Wheeww! Lucky, my hubby brought it to some shop @Salemba and within 2 days, it was fixed just like a brand new, only with 250k   :-)   So, check it out our holiday pics @my fb account   *grinning ear to ear*

Yamaha piano classes

In continuation of my previous post of Yamaha electone courses, I’m going to write about the piano class. My girls have been learning Yamaha piano forte for 6months already (almost 2books in half a year…I considered it – an accomplishment since some student can spend a year for a single book). What’s the different between Yamaha electone courses with Yamaha piano courses? What are the key aspects that affecting the children in learning the music and many more questions that normally being asked to me. I will try my best to explain about Yamaha piano class (again, as per my knowledge and understanding).

Yamaha Piano Forte books

Yamaha has various private classes, one of them is piano course (piano forte). This private course is designed for children above 6yo (no entrance exam/test so children with no musical background or knowledge can enroll), with intake at the beginning of each month (4x a month, @30mins). Piano forte emphasizes the student learning on finger/piano technique with various repertoires, from classical to well-known children songs. Exam is held few times a year so student can have more flexibility in scheduling their exam.

Frequently asked questions:

1.       Why piano class is not open for children below 6yo, unlike electone?

The main reason is because the piano’ keys are heavier than electone (or any other keyboard). Children under 6yo (which is normally in the phase of developing their fine motoric) will have difficulties in producing the wanted sounds/music. 6yo is also considered as the starting point for development of finger muscle (until age of 9/10yo). Therefore, it is best practice to start piano lesson after 6yo, after the fine motoric is well-developed.

2.       What is the difference between electone with piano?

Piano, beside has heavier keys, has only 1 piano sound. While electone has lighter keys and numerous programs that enable the player to set the beat/rhythms, change the electone sound into various sounds (we even have bird chirping sound LOL), and many more functions. No wonder the children attracted to electone (who wouldn’t like to hear an elephant’s thumping sound or raindrop sound while you are playing?)

3.       Are there any other private classes at Yamaha?

Yamaha has various private classes beside piano, such as violin, drum, guitar, and many more. However, prior enrolling for these classes, it is recommended to have basic knowledge in music (understand music notes and keys).

4.       Does the Yamaha piano grading same with ABRSM?

Honestly speaking, I’m not familiar with ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). However, I knew that Yamaha has its own international grading system, in which the basic is graded as Yamaha piano grade 13 for book 1, grade 12 for book 2, and so on (in opposite as ABRSM which grades the basic as grade 1).

5.       Which one is better for my child, a group class or a private one?

It’s totally depended on the children. Some competitive child might find group class is more interesting. Group class offers motivation and enables the parent to measure the child’s improvement by using the group as the benchmark. Group class means lots of friend, which also means lots of fun. However, some children might prefer private class which they can learn music according to their own pace. So it’s your homework as a parent, to consider which one is the best for your own child (what is best for my girls might not be the best for yours).

6.       Which one is better for my child, electone or piano?

Again, this is totally depended on the children. Piano focuses on playing repertoires with correct fingering/posture (piano technique) while electone (on advance classes) focuses on sharpening children’ creativity thru music (music arrangement or creation).

7.       How old is the best age for children to learn music?

Children’ hearing ability is developing intensively during the age of 3yo until 6yo. Since hearing ability is closely related to sounds/music stimulus, therefore, 3yo is considered as the recommended age for children to start their music class.

8.       What commitments are required for parent in supporting the children’s music classes?

There is no patent formula for your children in successfully learning music, however parental support holds the important aspect of it. Regretfully, many parents consider that they are supporting their children by ‘paying the tuition fee’. In music education (as well as any other kind of education) needs continuous support, which can vary, from encourage the children to practice frequently at home, spend few mins a day to listen to the children’ practicing their piano, or go cheer on them during the children’ concert, attend the PTM held by music school, and many more.

Yamaha Electone courses

It’s June…which means in another month, my girls will be having their Yamaha exams. My girls have been learning Yamaha electone for 4 years (@Sincere Yamaha Music School – M2S), beside other music classes. During the time when I waited for my girls practicing their exam songs, I remembered when I enrolled my girls at Yamaha for the first time, back in mid of 2008. And as the time passes, some of my friends have asked quite the same questions to me, in regards of music class for children and Yamaha in particular. Therefore, I am writing the following as a reference for those parents who would like to enroll their children into Yamaha electone class (i'll write another reference so pls come back in the future). Please be kindly reminded that what I wrote here is based on my experience and knowledge (fyi, I am not on Yamaha payroll)   *smile*  For more official information on Yamaha, you can go to http://id.yamaha.com

My youngest girl (JXC2) is standing while practicing her exam songs since she is too short to press the pedal

What makes electone so special? Electone is 2levels keyboard produced by Yamaha, with almost 2octaves keys on its pedals. So a player not only plays with both of his hands, but his 2legs are active as well (can you imagine the coordination required…it serves as a good training for balancing between right and left brains). Electone has programs which enable the player to have full orchestra support (if he wanted it) right on the tip of their fingers. An expert electone player (like the one I watched on video, performed by a Japanese guy in his 20s) can mesmerize you not only by the melody played but also by the body movement. I called it a total performance which satisfied my ear, feast my eyes and captivated my heart (my heart went thump thump thump…well the player was quite a hunk)…a really total musical experience.  

My oldest girl (JXC4) is practicing her exam songs

Yamaha, compared to other music schools (in asia), can be considered as the big brother. Therefore, the curriculum itself is well-structured and quite mature (and it keeps evolving along with the trends). The curriculum is more extended that what I will explain below, however since I have no real experience on those other courses, I will skip those. If you are interested, please go to Yamaha website.

Yamaha electone curriculum can be described as the following:

1.       Music Fantasy (MF)

This new course has been introduced in the early of 2012 with 2yo and above children as its target. The learning duration will be 1 year (36times @40mins) in a group with max 10 students per class. Parent (representative) involvement is required throughout the whole class. Since I’ve never experienced this class on-hand, I have no say on this.

2.       Music Wonderland (MW)

MW, a continuation from MF (but not as a prerequisite) is created for 3yo and above children, with intake in February and August. The learning duration will be 1 year (40times @50mins) in a group with max 10 students per class. MW lets the children experience that learning music is not something difficult (where you knit your eyebrow and scowl or tapping your forehead with a finger or even worse, pulling out your hair he he he). Learning music can be fun and entertaining, moreover when it is done together with your parent. MW requires full involvement of parent (representative) during the class. Together with the parent, the child will learn about music beat/tempo, rhythms as well as to develop their musical hearing and feeling. The class also includes song-singing, musical expression, and electone introduction (introduce few keys to create sound – not music/song).

3.       Junior Music Course (JMC)

JMC, the continuation of MW (but not as a prerequisite) is designed for children above 4yo, with intake in February and August. The learning duration will be 2 years (4semesters/levels, 20times per semester @60mins) in a group with max 10 students per class. During the first year of JMC, the student will start to learn do-re-mi (solfege and music notes). They will learn to read music score, play the simple songs on electone (one hand only, either right or left). 


The repertoire difficulty is developed according to the improvement of student's fine motoric and finger strength. Playing with both hands will be learnt in the second year of JMC (still a simple song, 6 to 8 bars). Song-singing, melody harmonization and hearing melody will be practiced throughout those 2 years. Music theory will be thought along the course as well. Simple way of variation will also be introduced in the second year, by transposing the given songs into another key scale. They also will learn how to play a simple ensemble with the whole class (each student plays a different part or with a different music instrument of the same song). JMC classes require parent’s involvement (representative) as well, since parental support is important to oversee the student’s practice at home.

There will be an exam upon completion of each semester in which the test will be conducted by Yamaha Music Indonesia. The test consists of playing 2 repertoire songs, solfege (the examiner will choose 1 lesson song), melody harmonization (the examiner will choose 1 music scale), and singing the chosen song (with expression). In the event a student fails the exam, he still can continue his lesson however he will be required to re-take the exam. Upon passing the final exam (JMC4), student will be rewarded Yamaha piano grade 11. 

4.       Junior Extension Course (JXC)

JXC is designed for children above 6yo, graduates of JMC (prerequisite) with intake in February and August. The learning duration will be 2 years (4 semesters/levels, 20times per semester @60mins) in a group with max 10 students per class. In JXC, student musical skill and technique will be developed thru playing higher level repertoires (includes sight playing) and many style of ensemble. Sight playing is the ability to play music score directly, without memorizing the notes (unlike during JMC classes, in which prior playing repertoire, student memorize the notes first). Musical feeling and sensitivity will be nurtured by continuous practice on melody hearing and harmonization.

Learning the electone’s pedal is introduced in the second semester (only 1 key), with more complex arrangement in 4th semester. JXC also encourages self expression by providing opportunities for musical creativity. Student will be introduced to start their own music/song composing (4bars for the 1st year and 8bars for the 2nd year), and continuous learning of improvisation thru variation and creating accompaniment for the given songs.

Exam will be held once a year in which test material covers all lessons that have been learnt in the last year. Student can choose whether they want to take electone examination or piano examination. For student who choose electone examination have to play 1 compulsory song (Bagpipe for grade 10 exam and Don't Worry for grade 9, in which those songs have the pedals playing). Upon passing the exam, Yamaha piano grade 10 and 9 will be awarded respectively.


The test consists of (1) playing 2 repertoire songs out of the chosen 3, in which the examiner will decide which song to play. (2) Melody hearing, which examiner will play a song (not from lesson books) and exam taker should repeat/play the heard melody. (3) Hearing harmonization, which examiner will play cadence of certain scale and exam taker should repeat/play the heard cadence. (4) Sight playing, directly play the given music score (not from the lesson books). And (5) accompaniment or keyboard harmonization, in which examiner will play a song (melody only) and exam taker should play the accompaniment and do variation toward the accompaniment. 

Unlike the previous courses, JXC doesn’t require parent attendance inside the class to encourage student’s independency. However, parental support is still the most important for the student.

5.       Junior Advance Course (JAC)

JAC is designed specifically for the graduates of JXC (above 8yo) with intake in February and August. The learning duration will be 2 years (4 semesters, 20times per semester @55mins). The learning will be in 2 different classes, a group with max 10 students per class which continues to emphasize hearing, reading, writing, and singing as part of a broaden musical foundation. It focuses on ensemble playing and improvisation (musical arrangement), as well as encourages the student to develop their own music/song.

Beside the group class, the student is required to take 1 private class (@30mins) on either piano or electone. The private class focuses on improving performance skill and piano technique by playing more repertoires. 

Books used on JXC levels

Beside JAC, this year Yamaha also introduced new class called nJNC (sorry, i still don't know what it stands for). This new class is designed for graduates of JXC which don't want to have a private class. nJNC will only have group class with the same lesson as JAC (minus private). However, the time to complete nJNC is doubled, 4 years instead of 2 years of JAC. 


Currently I don't have any information on JAC or nJNC (unless the above one) and once I get more, surely I will update this post.