Junior Step Course
Junior Step Course (6-7 year old)
The Junior Step Course are intended for students who have completed the Junior Step Fundamental Course, respectively.
Lesson Format:
Students: 6-7 year old children who have completed the Junior Step Fundamental Course
Duration: 4 levels of 6 months each
Lesson Style: Group of approximately 8 students
Lesson Length: 60 minute lesson – 40 lessons per year
Characteristics:
Children are now in a transitional period from pre-school to school children, and their physical change is remarkable. Development of finger muscles makes it easier for them to move their fingers to play the instruments, and finger dexterity becomes obvious from the age of 6.
Specifically in the JSC, learning by "playing for others" is highly emphasized. Together with friends in the lesson, the child can develop her/his skills like "listening", "playing" and "reading" with balance. While developing "listening" skills that were cultivated in the JSFC, there will be more lessons that focus on improving "playing" skills. The child will also learn about "reading score". In this group lesson, the child will experience "composing" and "creating" while having fun.
The Uniqueness of JSC
The most important theme of this period is to help students enjoy music voluntarily, and for this purpose, students are encouraged to think about the proper way of practicing and to learn positively.
Students should be able to practice by themselves applying their own ears and eyes (aural and reading abilities), based on understanding the goal and elements of each piece they learn.
Developing Independence
JSC students are at an age that allows them to independently:
1. Think, compare and choose from different musical ideas
2. Realize and judge using their ears and eyes
3. Create variations and accompaniment for a piece they learned
4. Set goals by themselves (choice of piece, how to express it, etc.)
5. Perform in front of the class (explaining the image of the pieces and giving comments about their friends' performance)
Learning in Group
The different advantages of group learning in JSC are:
* The group sharing the common goal
* Each students given a role to feel the responsibility to fulfill
* Communication among students creating mutual stimulation
These points are interrelated and can be enhanced through each student's awareness of his/her role as a member of the group.
What to expect at the end of JSC?
At the end of JSC, students take the Yamaha Piano / Electone Grade 9 examination.
This exam will assess their listening, playing, reading and creating skills.
Students taking the Grade 9 are expected to play melodies and harmonies by ear. They are also required to sight read a short piece of music, to create and accompaniment for a melody, and, of course, to play repertoire pieces with expression.