Yamaha JMC assessment Fundamental Skills Survey (FSS) for 弟弟

弟弟 finally made it to the first big milestone for his music class, the Fundamental Skills Survey assessment for Yamaha JMC graduates :) It's his first external exam outside of kindy. I keep forgetting what does FSS stands for and had to search back for 姐姐's certificate :P

We are the first to reach the school and he's also the first on the attendee list. The examiner is a pretty, nice lady. When we went into the room, he greeted his teacher and the examiner. First he sang his chosen song "Lullaby of Stars". I can tell he tried his best, but I wish he could have sang louder though. Then it was solfege singing, teacher played 2 phrases, he listens and sings them. Then it's listening for the chords. After that only it's playing his chosen pieces, Little Red Shoes and Falling Leaves from Primary Book 4. Next, it's listening to teacher play melody of The Dove, then he plays them with accompaniment. Lastly, it's meeting up with examiner, and singing the notes examiner pointed out. Finally, the examiner congratulated him for a good try at singing and playing. Phew! Everything done in less than 15 minutes I think. When we're out, most of his music class friends are already here.

弟弟 and his friends from music class

He's been practising throughout the 6 months for JMC Primary 4, even though it just seems like 5 minutes during the weekdays. About 1 month or so from the date we sign-up for the assessment, teacher had given them chance to perform their chosen songs to the class and other parents. They also sing their chosen song, first in group and then gradually they sing individually for the class. At the same time, teacher let them sing lots of solfege exercises and learn to listen to the chords they learnt. This was taught throughout the 2 years they are in JMC but got more intensive near to FSS :)

Here is a video I took during his class for singing Lullaby of Stars. Actually it's quite a difficult song for boys to sing, but he insisted on it.

And here is 弟弟 playing Little Red Shoes, Falling Leaves and The Dove. Usually teacher will let him play on piano, but on this day, it was a clavinova which has a harder touch. When he played The Dove here, he was a little rough, so teacher corrected his handling of this song :P And his variation for The Dove during FSS is slightly different after teacher taught them a little pattern for it.


During lessons, teacher will slot in some fun time for them, such as singing this lively song "Feeling Great Yeah". I think with a video the memory lives on for them :) He also enjoyed another song called "Treasure Hunting" but I didn't video it as parents are to sing along.

I'm just so relieved he completed his FSS assessment! :) Teacher had started to introduce them to JXC Book 1 songs, so he would be starting JXC completely from next week. At the same time, I think teacher will start preparing them for the JMC graduation concert too! 弟弟 will be kept busy :P

As a parent with children going for Yamaha's Junior Music Course, we have to be very patient. Skills are learnt a little by little, starting from single notes, to chords, from listening, singing solfege etc. Of course, when they first started there is no "song" to play for adults to enjoy. They start by playing accompaniment to the CDs. Some of our relatives even commented, "what, this is playing piano?" when they asked the children to play at the beginning stage. There is no need to rush it at this point in "playing a song". I'd rather them go slow and steady with teacher's guidance than to rush into playing at wrong tempo and lack of musicality, you know how some kids go fast when they are at a familiar part and go slow when they are not when they start playing pieces. This is so wrong as they should hear and feel the music and not just simply play notes. I can see tremendous progress with 姐姐 as she moves into JXC and I'm sure 弟弟 will too.