Jordyn's Piano Lessons

So, we've decided to try something new with Jordyn. It seems a little extreme initially, but we really feel like it's worth a try. It's piano lessons through the Yamaha Music Education program. It's one hour per week. This is actually a program that goes from ages 4-12 (if you want it to). The first two years are a parent/child interactive group class. It feels like a big commitment, but also after researching it, feels worth a shot. Jordyn loves music and has had an extra interest in piano. I've started teaching her at home with a beginner book, and she just soaks it up. Anyway, I figure we can give her the chance and if she loves it GREAT. If not, she can pick another area of interest. We start next week! Here's a brief description of the course, from this article click here:

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The Yamaha Junior Music Course curriculum (worldwide program since the 1950's) is broad compared to typical private piano lessons. Children sing solfege, play the keyboard, sing songs with lyrics, move to music, play rhythm and keyboard ensembles and participate in "music appreciation" activities

The method assumes music is a language children can learn naturally in the same way they learn their spoken and written language: we hear, we imitate, we speak and we read.

The aural awareness of four- and five-year-olds is more developed than their manual dexterity and visual skills. Therefore, the Yamaha approach for this age group focuses on aural training versus emphasizing piano technique and reading.

By the end of two years in JMC, students have built a substantial vocabulary of solfege, having sung 50 melodies and numerous chord progressions using the I, IV and V7 chords in the keys of C major, G major, F major, D minor and A minor. Aside from developing musicianship, these solfege experiences prepare children to play in these five keys.