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Choosing the right drum set could be challenging if you have no idea what to look for. When aspiring drummers go to a music store to buy their first-ever set, they have too many qualifications, so they always find it hard to choose just one. However, if you know the essential qualities of the drum set Singapore has to offer, you’ll find it easier to find your future partner.

Things like space, quality of materials, price, types, and purpose should be your topmost criteria in choosing your drum set. Space limitation is one of the most common problems in a Singaporean household. This criterion usually helps in your decision-making as your house’s capacity dictates whether you’d buy a four-piece or a five-piece drum kit.

What else should you know about playing drums? Our team of experts made a comprehensive guide about what you should know about playing drums.

How to Play the Drums

It would be precarious for beginners to learn drums independently without understanding the process of doing it. If you happen to play the drums without knowing the basics, you are practicing a bad habit that could ruin your musical career.

Therefore, our team gathered the simplest but most essential steps to play the drum for beginners to follow.

Steps on How to Play Drums

1. Choose your drum set

Of course, even before figuring out how to play the drums, you must choose your drum set first. You can’t familiarize the parts in a drum set without having one yourself. As mentioned above, there are certain things that you need to consider before buying your drum set in Singapore.

2. Learn proper Gripping

Learning drums on your own could somehow become easier now since you already got your drum set. Now, it is time for you to learn how to hold your drumsticks. Gripping is the most basic drumming skill that every beginner should practice beforehand, as hitting the sticks onto the drums creates the music you want to play.

To establish a good fulcrum, you need to grip the drumsticks to control the rhythm of your every stroke and beat. You can try the traditional grip, the German grip, the American grip, and the French grip.

3. Learn Your First Rudiment

This part is somewhat tricky. Other drummers think that learning through self-study and video tutorials is enough to learn your first rudiment. However, our team always recommends enrolling in a music school to master your rudiment if you aspire to become a professional drummer in the future. It is imperative to understand those rudiments like paradiddles, closed and open rolls, and flams. These are the most crucial skill every drummer must develop to enhance their proficiency.

4. Learn rhythm and beat

In this part, you may or may not use your drumsticks. However, our team suggests using your hands in learning your rhythm and beat for the first time. In fact, you may even do this trick using your thighs instead of the drums. Move your hands and tap them onto your thighs in a seated position. This simple step could help you learn your beat and rhythm as you move your hands while listening to music.

Five Factors to Consider When Choosing a Drum Set

Budget

Drum sets differ in price, quality, and types. Budget is one crucial factor in deciding whether you would want to buy a particular drum set or not. While it is always wise to consider the price tag of the drum set, it is wiser to weigh the price range and its overall quality. Not all high-priced drum sets equal high quality. It is the same with not all affordable drum sets equal low quality. Therefore, as a buyer, you must research essential things about the drum set before purchasing it. 

Types of Drum Set

It would be best if you also considered the types of drum sets you want to purchase. Our team suggests researching each type’s pros and cons to find better what perfectly suits your needs. There are acoustic drum sets, which most drummers choose. Some opt to buy electronic drum sets, hybrid drum sets, and heavy metal and jazz drum sets.

These drum sets typically vary on the sound they give off and the materials used in each of them to produce sound. However, if you are still a beginner drummer, we suggest buying a traditional acoustic drum set as it may give a better feel and set up in a less complicated way.

Set-up

Your place or home space also needs to be considered. If you plan to place your drum set in a large and spacious area, getting a five-piece drum set may be good for you. However, if you feel like your space is a little cramped up for such a setup, getting a four-piece drum set is a more considerable choice. Drum sets typically comprise various instruments and parts like cymbals. Some even come with drum cases that you might want to purchase to protect your instrument at home.

Buying Used VS. New

This is probably one of the first things that most buyers think about before purchasing their drum sets. Typically, beginners opt to buy used drum sets to save more money by doing so. However, there are far better advantages that buyers could get when buying new drum sets instead. New drum sets may come with a little higher price, but they offer warranties that used drum sets don’t offer. Their life spans are obviously longer, too, since its parts are still in an optimal condition.

Purpose

Usually, your playing experience holds a crucial factor in choosing the right drum set for you. You could be a beginner or a drummer who wants to follow the steps of your favourite drummers. You also need to identify whether you only want a drum set for your everyday practice or a drum set you could use on stage one day.

Let’s Wrap Up

If you are preparing to pursue your music career in drumming or looking for something to de-stress yourself from schoolwork, having drum lessons will work with your pace. Besides reducing your stress, playing drums can also relieve your frustration and disappointment. It would even boost your brainpower and increase your motor skill development.

Our team also suggests that instead of learning drums on your own, enrolling in a well-established music school like the Cristofori, Singapore’s leading music school today. If you want to know more about their first-class education for learning drums or the drum set Singapore has to offer, you have to check out their official website.

Parents naturally want the best for their kids. Hence, if your child showed interest in learning the piano, don’t let the chance of having a professional pianist in the family skip away. Urge your kids to start pressing those keys and making beautiful music and melodies. But would letting them learn and explore at home be enough? Of course, not. It is your responsibility as a devoted parent to find the best place for your kids to learn the piano. And if you wonder about the various piano class for kids fees, you have come to the right place.

Having a flawless track record in the music school industry, Cristofori had become the home of exceptional musicians for over 40 years. As of late, there have been roughly 80,000 parents who chose Cristofori piano lessons. They offer a unique course structure specifically designed to address every child’s learning ability and progress through incomparable teaching and supervision.

In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn more about the different factors you need to consider before enrolling your child in a private piano lesson. You’ll also learn the benefits he could achieve in doing so and wanting to know about the piano lesson price Singapore typically offers.

Piano Lesson at home VS. Private Lessons

There are significant differences between learning piano at home and learning piano with a private teacher in schools like Cristofori. If you opted to let your kids learn piano at home, you’d have to consider getting them their own piano. At the same time, most music schools offer musical equipment rentals. The difference between buying a piano and renting out one could greatly affect your finances.

If your child hasn’t decided what type of piano he wants to learn, renting out a piano is encouraged. There’s still a chance that he would outgrow, wanting the piano and switching to another one. Besides the finance division, music schools like Cristofori have excellent amenities and full equipment that your kids could use while learning with them.

Factors to Consider

It’s okay to be apprehensive when it comes to letting your child learn how to play the piano through a private lesson. But fret not, as our musical experts rounded up the most critical factors that parents need to consider when choosing the best place for piano lessons in Singapore.

• Type of Piano

This is one of the most crucial factors you need to determine before enrolling your child in any music school. Determine what type of piano your child wants to learn. Remember, various keyboards have many keys and patterns. There are primary types of piano that you could choose from: the Grand, Upright, and Electronic Piano.

• Budget and Skill Level

Having a specific budget for your kid’s piano lessons is a logical thing to do. Your budget often dictates what type of piano lessons your child needs. Besides budget, your kid’s level of skill in playing the piano is also a crucial factor. Your child’s skill level would determine the course he would need. Cristofori offers three courses that target beginners, intermediate and advanced players.

• Teacher’s Qualifications

The teacher’s qualifications are also important factors that need to be considered. Identifying whether the teacher is a part-time or full-time teacher may also affect the lessons’ learning level and price. Most lessons with a full-time teacher charge more than lessons with a part-time teacher. Full-time teachers are often more experienced, so it’s expected that their lessons are somehow more expensive, too.

• Courses Offered

Music schools vary in the courses they offer. However, most of them offer fundamental lessons targeting beginner learners. In Cristofori, there are three courses offered. First is the Beginner Piano Lessons, which is a lesson for a complete beginner. Cristofori partnered with an international piano pedagogy specialist based in Michigan, USA, Dr. Randall Faber, to develop their Piano Adventure Method. This method aims to teach children and even adults based on their cognitive, creative, and personal development.

They also offer the Classical Music Approach. Their academic team constantly researches and updates their teaching materials, methodologies, and tools to time-proof their curriculum. They even partnered with world-leading institutions like the SUZUKI method from Japan, Orff-Schulwerk Organisation from Germany, and Kodaly Method from Hungary.

And lastly, they offer a Contemporary Music Approach, which MOE Certified Teachers teach with rich backgrounds. Some of these teachers are instrument-specialists and even have diverse performance experiences as a secessionist. This course comprises a fully-covered progression pathway for their learners, from pure beginner to diploma level.

Tips to Achieving Perfect Posture and Proper Hand Positioning

In playing the piano, hand positioning is essential. This serves as a fundamental skill that every pianist needs to learn and master. You may learn visually by watching different clips and videos while waiting for your teacher to teach you about it personally.

However, if you already have a piano at home and would like to start your piano lessons earlier, here are some tips to have a better hand positioning:

• Always regard your piano as something you never want to break.
• Keep your fingers in a steady but lenient position over the piano keys.
• Don’t be too stiff or tensed.
• Your thumbs should also touch the piano keys.
• Your wrists must never touch the piano ledge.
• Keep your arms relaxed.
• Don’t put any strain on your shoulders.
• Sit on the bench edge with your back straightened but not too stiff.

Conclusion: Why Should You Take Piano Lessons?

The piano had been tagged by many as a challenging but boring instrument to learn. Most people had been putting off their piano lessons. Well, if you are really interested to learn it, it’s about time that you put away your negative thoughts and start learning your piano keys. And if your kids showed any interest in learning it, always give it a go!

If you are still apprehensive about taking your piano lessons or your child’s to the next level, you may check out the piano lesson price Singapore offers over the internet. If you don’t have time to go to a music school to another, check out Cristofori’s official website to see their piano class for kids fees. This music school has a wide range of expertise when it comes to piano and providing lessons.

Cristofori was established in the music industry in Singapore four decades ago. And during its 40 years in the service, its ability to provide top-of-the-line musical education is out of the question. Everything you need to know about electric guitar lessons Singapore has to offer can be found at Cristofori.

As you scroll down, you will learn about the importance and fundamentals of learning guitar lessons for beginners. You won’t have to tour around Singapore to look for the best music school. Let our team of musical experts save you from the hassle of doing so.

Why You Need an Expert Guitar Lesson Singapore

The guitar is considered one of the most common musical instruments that seem too easy to play with to some people. Although you can indeed learn how to play the guitar through self-study and video tutorials, learning just the basics would confine you to having a mediocre guitar playing skill.

Of course, if you want to pursue having a professional career in playing the guitar, strumming and a few plucking won’t lead you to the spotlight you desire. Being trained by an expert will make you play like an expert, too. Experienced musical teachers will provide you with a comprehensive insight into guitars and the proper handling and discipline in playing them.

• They Will Correct Your Bad Habits

Guitar teachers are professional musicians who have learned from specialists. They were once a beginner and had experience playing the guitar for the first time. And through years of diligent practice and professional education, they have learned the proper way of playing the guitar.

Every person holding a guitar for the first time would make them want to strum and pluck, almost simultaneously. They get too excited to learn how to make music using this percussion instrument. However, problems may arise in the future if you didn’t understand the proper way of strumming, plucking, and holding your guitar and picked up a bad habit by doing these things.

Having an experienced teacher to guide you to learn the do’s and don’ts of playing the guitar would save you from having these problems. They can quickly distinguish your problems, give you tips on avoiding them, and pave your way on the right track to being a professional guitar player.

• They Could Determine Your Ability Level

Experts could determine which songs are fit to your abilities and level. You have to remember that not every genre could fit your guitar playing abilities. Therefore, if you aim to advance your career in the music industry, you need to focus on honing your abilities. Our team suggests that you concentrate on the types of music and genre you could play best. This wouldn’t mean you won’t be able to play other music, though.

An experienced teacher could verify and help you choose what is best for you. If you’re a beginner, they most likely will not give you a lesson that could overwhelm you. Instead, they would develop a specialised plan that would polish your skill.

• They Could Give You Challenges

Challenges aren’t easy to deal with. However, they could serve as your inspiration in enhancing your skills. Having an experienced teacher, you can expect guitar lesson exercises that will enhance your skill. He/she may give you activities to track your progress, determine your strengths and weaknesses. Your teacher will then devise a plan to help you work on the part you need to focus on and improve.

Fundamentals of A Guitar

Learning how to play the guitar sounds easy. However, to use this musical instrument effectively, you must know the basics and be familiar with its parts. Techniques and styles would follow suit once you go through the learning process.

Here are the guides that will speed up your learning processes in playing the guitar.

1.  Knowing Its Parts

To use and utilize the guitar, knowing its part is a must. This way, it would be easy to follow the lesson, and you know what part of your guitar your teacher was referring to. The headstock, neck, and body are the three essential parts of the guitar. These three parts work together to create a wonderful harmony and sound.

The guitar’s headstock is where the tuning post/machine and nut sit. It is at the top of the guitar’s neck, the long wood part of the guitar between the headstock and the body. The neck is where you can see the fretboard, truss rod for some guitars, and frets.

The last part that has a significant role in a guitar is its body. This part gives the guitar its character and sound. In here, you can see the guitar’s soundhole and bridge. The soundhole helps enhance the sound and gives vibrating sounds with greater ease.

2.  Tabs and Chords

After knowing the guitar’s parts, it should be the perfect time for you to learn about the tabs and chords. Music schools in Singapore include this in their curriculum. They educate their students about the basic parts of the guitar and the theories of chords and tabs.

This way, it would help their students to read tabs and write their melodies easier. The chords, on the other hand, are responsible for harmony. That is why it’s best to learn chord reading to know how it accompanies strumming and rhythm.

3.  Strumming

Guitar lesson Singapore also includes strumming as one of their fundamentals. This way, students would be aware and learn the consistency of the strokes and strums. Teachers will also teach you the proper position on strumming, such as using your wrist to strum and keeping off the elbow from the string to avoid touching it.

Why Choose Cristofori’s Guitar Lessons?

Cristofori offers the basic techniques to learn how to play the guitar quickly and help you unlock your passion for music. This musical school in Singapore provides guitar courses that are easy to grasp and engaging. The experts assigned in giving quality music education are adaptable and could teach different genres, too.

Teachers at Cristofori possess a wealth of technical, stylistic, and theoretical; information for your children second to none. Cristofori also offers a different approach to teaching electric guitar lessons in Singapore. If you want to learn from the experts and experience the best ways to learn how to play the guitar, our team suggests that you enrol and learn from Cristofori.

you should have a clearer idea of which type of guitar (Acoustic or Classical) is suitable for you after reading 3 Things to Consider Before Learning and/or Purchasing a Guitar. If you have yet to read that article, perhaps you might find it useful – 3 Things to Consider Before Learning and/or Purchasing a Guitar. Now that you are sure to go down the route of learning an acoustic guitar, what should you take note? Aimlessly going into a music instrument store and having a paradox of choice? You are not alone in this matter! Follow these three steps to filter out the different type of guitars, and your decision making process will be a breeze.

Step 1: Choose the Right Guitar Shape

There are four common acoustic guitar shapes that can be found at a music instrument store. They are respectively Concert, Auditorium (also known as Orchestra), Jumbo and Dreadnaught. Every shape brings different things to the table, and there is no such thing that a certain shape is more superior than the other. Tone and comfort should be the top two priority whilst deciding on the shape of the guitar.

1. Concert

This shape is suitable for guitarists who are looking for a soft and balanced tone that is compatible with their playing styles. Guitars with this shape usually has a bright sound with a punchy mid-range. It is excellent for softer fingerpicking styles and strumming with quick changes.

2. Orchestra

This shape is suitable for guitarists who are looking for an overall balanced tone, as the width of the upper bout and the lower bout is the most similar in size. Guitars with this shape usually have lesser bass emphasis.

3. Jumbo

This shape is suitable for guitarists who are looking for a percussive, full-sounding and clear tone. Guitars with this shape usually have excellent projection and resonance due to its heavy lower bout.

4. Dreadnaught

This shape is suitable for guitarists who are looking for a boom bass and low midrange tone. Guitars with this shape usually are able to project plenty of volume and depth.

After understanding how the shape of a guitar affects the tone projected, do not jump the gun! Comfortability should also be considered whilst choosing the appropriate shape. Different shapes will definitely cause different ratios between the upper bout, lower bout, body length and depth. As all individuals are unique and have different body shapes, different shaped guitar will cause different comfort level. Hence, trying out different shapes to compare the comfort level as well as to weigh out the pros and cons if a shape is not as comfort but the tone is preferred, vice versa.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Wood

The two main guitar parts that are affected by the type of wood are known as the Top wood and Back and Side wood. Different types of wood will produce different tones, this is due to the density and the curvature of the woods. Just like human’s fingerprints, there are no two woods that are the same, even if it came from the same tree. For easy reference, we have came up with a figure that makes the whole concept easier to digest.

The most common woods that are used for guitar manufacturing has been marked out in red. As usual, the tone of a music instrument always lies on a spectrum. Depending of the type of music that the guitarist plays, different wood will suit the genre differently.

Step 3: Is the Guitar Action Suitable for You?

Guitar action might not be a familiar term to guitarists that had just started learning guitar not too long ago. Broadly speaking, guitar action refers to the distance between the strings and the fretboard. It is a factor that is commonly overlooked at whilst choosing for a guitar. However, it may totally revolutionize the way the guitarist feels about the guitar. A guitar with a high action might cause discomfort as more finger strength is required to push the strings down and might also slow down the speed of chord changing. A guitar with low action might cause the strings to produce a buzzing sound as the guitarist plays the guitar. This buzzing sound. The height of the action is dependent on the playing style and its correlated requirement. Most guitarists prefer their guitar action to be as low as possible without causing the buzzing sound. However, this is still specific to individual preference.

Every manufacturer has their algorithm that engineers the functionality of the guitar, which may or may not be suitable for you. As mentioned, different playing styles will require different height of action. Right off the bat, there are two ways to solve the issue if the guitar’s action is not desired. Firstly, change another model or brand into something that fits you. Otherwise, have a professional guitar technician to inspect and fine-tune the action. It is crucial to not fine-tune the fretboard until it has been taught, this is due to most acoustic guitars using a set neck (glued to the body of the guitar), and mishandling will lead to unrepairable damage.

A concept that has been presented throughout this article is preference. Music is highly subjective and there is no such thing as one size fits all shape, wood and action. Different shape, different woods and different action is suitable for different playing styles. The questions to ask yourself are – What type of tone are you looking for? Do you prefer a bolder and more powerful tone? Do you prefer tones with higher bass or treble? What is your playing style? Is the guitar of choice able to fit into all these criterias? Instead of focusing on the guitar shape – It can only be jumbo shaped, nothing else, or focusing on the type of wood – It can only have a solid cedar top, your preference should be at the core of the consideration.

Looking for Guitar or Guitar Lessons?

Cristofori Music has always been there for their customers throughout their music learning and we strive to provide aid whenever needed.

If you are looking for guitar lessons, why not consider from our 35 music schools across the island?

If you are looking for guitars, we have showrooms at Bedok Industrial Park, Bishan Junction 8, and at Funan for you to try the guitars before your purchase! Our welcoming colleagues at these outlets will provide their professional opinion and aid your decision making journey!

If you are looking for professional guitar technician to inspect your guitar and fine-tune? Head down to the Bedok Industrial Headquarters to have it checked by our friendly guitar technician!

Accessibility and portability are the two main factors that makes guitar a highly sought out musical instrument to learn. You just need a guitar and start performing anywhere (with a permit)! However, did you know that there is more than one type of guitar? Most of the street performers in Singapore uses an acoustic guitar as its bright and loud tones are deemed more suitable for pop songs. The two main types of guitar are Acoustic and Classical – do you know where does your heart take you? No? Read on and you’ll be able to find out!

1. Acoustic or Classical?

Before diving into the specifics about the difference the technicalities of the guitar, it is crucial to pinpoint the type of guitar that is preferred – Acoustic or Classical. There are two main considerations to decide between the acoustic or classical:

1. Genre Difference

What type of music is repeating on your playlist? Do you want to be able to play those type of music? If the answer is yes, then choosing between acoustic or classical is a walk in the park.

The engineering of the respective guitars is built to sound different. Classical guitars are built to sound better for classical, flamenco and Spanish music. This is due to the material of the strings being nylon, it enables the tone to be on the mellower and softer spectrum. Whereas, acoustic guitars are wired with steel strings, enabling the tone to be on the brighter and louder spectrum. Hence, acoustic guitars are more suitable for folk, pop, country, and slow rock music.

If you are still not sure what type of music do you prefer, perhaps after taking in the next consideration will help you to choose between an acoustic guitar or a classical guitar.

2. Guitar Difference

As aforementioned, due to the way the guitar is engineered, acoustic guitar and classical guitar uses different materials for their string. All 6 strings on a classical guitar are made from nylon strings, whereas steel strings are used on acoustic guitars. Other than the differential tones that is produced, nylon strings tend to be easier on the fingers as compared to steel strings. This is important if the guitarist is of younger age as it might be painful for them to press on the chords.

In addition, classical guitars tend to have wider necks, causing the spacing between each string to be larger as compared to the acoustic guitar, where the neck is narrower. Hence, the hand size of the guitarist will also affect the type of guitar that is more suitable for them. DISCLAIMER! This does not mean that people with small hands cannot play classical guitar. With sufficient practice, nothing is impossible. It only serves as a consideration factor if you are not sure of which type of guitar is suitable.

2. Size of Guitar

Usually, there are three sizes to both classical and acoustic guitar. Half-sized guitar being the smallest and full-sized guitar being the largest. The reason why younger kids is more suitable to use a smaller sized guitar is due to the physicality of a guitarist – forearm movement (strumming patterns) and finger movement (plucking). The optimal size is when the guitarist is seated with the guitar on hand, the elbow should not be raised higher than the shoulder height. Otherwise, there will be constant tension within the biceps and triceps region.

This chart serves only as a recommendation and it is not compulsory to follow the height limitations to a T when choosing the guitar of choice. Comfort level should be the main factor when choosing the appropriate size followed by preference.

3. Price Range

Is it really necessary to get a high range guitar if I am just starting out? Before committing to owning an musical instrument, this is probably the most common question that will pop in the student’s mind. Before jumping the gun and choosing the highest range or the lowest range, bear in mind that the price is highly dependant on the type of wood (top, side and back), shape of guitar, guitar action and guitar strings. A better engineered guitar will definitely be a better guitar which comes with a heftier price tag, but a better guitar will not guarantee a better guitarist. It is only through putting in time and effort to practice, will a guitarist improve. It is not a crime to start off with an average guitar when you first start, as long as the guitar produces the sound and tone that is required. After developing tonal preference after learning, you can start looking at the shape and type of wood that is able to produce the tone that you like.

Learning how to play the ukulele is an excellent way to de-stress. However, finding the best ukulele class Singapore to enroll in is a very daunting task because you have to consider many things. People often get scared to try out ukulele lessons because of misinformation and fear of choosing the best schools fit for them.

Therefore, our team of experts decided to help you have an informed decision by giving you these five tips for taking ukulele lessons in Singapore. You don’t have to worry about making the wrong decision because we have already researched for you.

Why is the Ukulele Popular in Singapore?

Ukulele is a unique Hawaiian instrument, but in truth, it originated the Portuguese braguinha, a small four-stringed instrument in the European guitar family. When Hawaii hit a major economic force in 1850, many Portuguese came to aid in the scarcity of Hawaii’s workforce.

They came with their cavaquinhos or braguinhas and fascinated the Hawaiians by singing and playing their instruments. Since then, the Hawaiians called these instruments “jumping flea,” which they now call the ukulele.

Singaporeans find the ukulele an effective way to de-stress. Ukulele isn’t only popular in western countries but also Singapore. So, it’s no wonder that there are many ukulele lessons in Singapore offered today.

Tips for Taking Ukulele Classes in Singapore

Here are the five best tips that you need to consider when taking Ukulele Classes in Singapore:

1. Make sure the school or teacher specializes in teaching at the appropriate level

Whether you’re jumping into musical instruments for the first time (in this case, the ukulele), or am looking to diversify your mastery of instruments, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right teacher for your level of musical ability.

Why? Well, most teachers, including those who teach ukulele lessons, specialise in teaching students of certain levels. For example, some are best in working with beginners, while others excel in bringing the best out of advanced players with higher-level techniques!

2. Find a music teacher who can build quick rapport and bond with your child

This is one of the best ways you can ensure that you’re choosing the right ukulele lesson for your child. While many schools offer trial lessons to give you a good impression about the teacher and the lessons, it’s also a great opportunity for you to treat it as a chemistry test between your child, the school and their music teachers! of the school and the teachers!

This can give you a pretty good idea on how the music teacher will connect and bond with your child in order to cultivate fun and interesting ukulele lessons.

Ultimately, your child’s music lessons will be much more efficient, effective and motivational if there can be a bond between teacher and student.

Here are some common questions you can ask:

• What is your performing experience?
• What experience do you have of teaching this age group?
• How long have you been teaching?
• Do you engage in any professional development?
• Do you encourage students to take advantage of modern technology eg online learning support?
• Do you encourage improvisation and playing by ear as well as playing from printed music?
• Are you a music performance examiner?

3. Choose lessons that give quick, concrete progress via mastering beginner-level lessons quickly!

While having patience is a virtue for many lessons, especially when it comes to music, it’s also a fantastic motivator to be able to master the basics of playing the ukulele quickly to play the songs you love!

In fact, with CRISTOFORI’s fundamental ukulele lessons, mastering the basics of the ukulele takes will just take 1 term (or 3 months) of lessons! This includes:

• Tuning and stringing
• Fundamental strumming patterns
• Basic chords, notes and musical comprehension

By the end of this course, the student should be able to play chords and accomplish at least 5 songs – and much more with some practice. How exciting is that?

Furthermore, it can be the start of a great musical journey with a continuation and advancement of ukulele learning via exams. For example, a Debut exam would need about 9 months of lessons (or about 3 terms)!

4. Look for schools that gives you performance opportunities, even for beginners

Being able to perform for even their parents is a major motivator for any child who wishes to learn the ukulele! Think about it – when children are given the opportunity and platform to showcase their skills and learnings, they often become super-motivated in learning and practicing. Especially when it comes to the ukulele!

Hence, you should be searching for a school that has a rich and diverse repertoire of both folk and contemporary pop music that allows their students, even as beginners, to perform!

Regardless if it’s in duet or ensemble settings featuring music from the likes of Jason Mraz to Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, performing will definitely take any child’s ukulele lesson’s effectiveness to the next level.

5. Look for restructured and up-to-date curriculum

As mentioned above, music schools offer different curriculums. However, some schools still use the old curriculum. Therefore, we suggest that you find a music school that offers a new curriculum that matches today’s best ukulele practices. A new curriculum usually gives more learning opportunities for their students.

For example, CRISTOFORI utilizes the Rockschool Ukulele syllabus as one of Singapore’s first fully regulated suite of ukulele grades.

The Rockschool Ukulele syllabus develops instrument-specific techniques through digestible benchmarked topics – these can give every student the right practical skills and knowledge for highest possible mastery of the instrument!

From a featured repertoire, rigorous academic scoring as well as being internationally recognised, the Rockschool Ukulele syllabus with CRISTOFORI is definitely the way to go!

Conclusion: Why do you have to take ukulele lessons?

Choosing the best ukulele classes in Singapore gives budding musicians the opportunity to have a better future in the music industry. The demand for creative, dynamic, and passionate musicians makes the music industry a battleground for musicians. Therefore, it is imperative to have a strong and solid foundation in learning the ukulele.

As ukulele enthusiasts, your talent, passion, and proficiency will become instruments in paving your road to success. With CRISTOFORI, its Ukulele teachers, and Ukulele classes, you’ll be surprised to see this road well-paved even when you haven’t finished their lessons yet.

They have prepared a curriculum that combines the instrumentation and technical recording components, beneficial for every student that aims to hit that musical career they always longed for. It’s never too early or too late to get that Ukulele lesson in Singapore, so click the “register button” and start training yourself to become a musical genius.

Thinking of purchasing a piano but unsure of what to look out for? Don’t fret! Choosing a piano is not as difficult as it seems. As Singapore’s largest piano store, we deal with numerous questions regarding piano purchase on a daily basis. Here are some pointers that will breeze you through your purchase process.

1. Reason of Purchasing A Piano

Firstly, what is the reason for you to purchase a piano? Leisure? Exam practice? Or just a nice looking furniture in the house? You need to know what you are looking out for, and keep that thought in mind whilst finding for the perfect piano for you.

For student’s practice, it is crucial to get an examination model. You may ask “What is considered as an examination model?” Any acoustic piano that is tuned to 440Hz, at least 120cm in height and has weighted keys.

2. Touch

The touch of the piano mainly refers to the weight of the piano keys. As examination model pianos require keys to be weight, if you are looking towards piano grading, it is important to ensure that the practice piano keys are weighted! Let me give you an example, if you go to the gym and train with barbells that weight 10kg, if you go to a competition that requires you to lift 5kg instead, it will be a walk in the park! However, if you train with a 2kg barbell, the competition will be a mess.

With that being said, most of the acoustic pianos in the market does have weighted keys.

3. Tone

Simply put, the tone of a piano is the sound of the piano. It usually ranges from being bright and chirpy to being mellow and deep. The best tone is the tone that suits your liking. At the end of the day, you are the one practicing the piano, listening to pieces after pieces. The tone of the piano is highly individual preferential, and should not be influenced by others.

There is no shortcut to finding your preferred tone, it is only through repeated testing and trying different brands and models.

4. Responsiveness

Last but not the least, the responsiveness of the piano. This is correlates to the sensitiveness of your finger. A responsive piano will allow you to associate the strength used to press on the keys to the loudness generated.

The best way to test a piano’s responsiveness is through alternatively two fingers on different notes repeatedly. 

“Is it really necessary to tune my piano once every 6 months?” is a common doubt that many piano owners face. A common misconception is that piano tuning is a marketing gimmick used by piano manufacturers to continuously profit from the sales. However, this cannot be any further away from the truth!

The primary reason for regular tuning is to ensure sufficient string tension of 440Hz. This level of string tension is examination grade and is extremely hard to achieve. Even if your child or you yourself does not play the piano frequently, it is still crucial for the piano to be tuned. Let us give you an example, if you own a car and do not drive it frequently, you will still need to service your car yearly. The rationale behind servicing the car is to ensure that the internal mechanisms are still in working condition and there will be no danger if you were to drive it on the road. Similarly, to tune and service your piano, it is to ensure that the strings are at the correct tension and the internal mechanisms (hammer head, felt, keys, etc.) are of working condition, so that when you were to play the piano it will still sound good, and you are able to play it.

The ever-changing humidity level has a direct correlation to the pitch of the piano. When the humidity level goes up, it will cause the piano to be of a higher pitch, vice versa. Due to the different thickness of the strings, the change in pitch will not occur equally across the entire piano. Even though there is no one playing the piano, the environment that the piano is put into will cause it to be out of tune. It does not mean that if you do not play it, it will not go out of tune. If the string tension is constantly not of 440Hz, this will affect the pianist aural abilities in the long run.

For new pianos, the industry standard is for it to be tuned once every 6 months. As new pianos need time to “settle” into the new environment – humidity and temperature, within the first 5 years of purchase. After which, piano owners can choose to tune their piano once a year should they feel that biyearly is too frequent. Should your piano had not been tuned for more than 4 years, a piano technician will have to do an inspection of your piano to ensure that your piano is in working condition to be tuned. Due to the humidity level in Singapore, if the piano heater has not been on for 24/7 everyday, there is a high chance that the strings had rusted in the past 5 years of not tuning. If so, it is recommended to change the strings before tuning, as there is a high probability that the strings will snap if the piano is being tuned. In addition, if the condition of the piano is bad, an overhaul of the piano might be needed. It is difficult to assess the condition of your piano just by looking at the exterior, it is the condition within that matters.

Do not fret even if you have not tuned your piano in a long time. Our team of professional technicians will check the condition of your piano every time they are there for tuning appointments and will inform you about the condition of your piano! Whether or not your piano is purchased from us, we are always here to help! Contact us at our technical and service centre at 6243 9555 or WhatsApp us at 8766 0641 for more information.

Whenever students hear the word “practice”, they often show signs of agony. Againnnnn! As they are at the stage of processing various new knowledge, practice is crucial to form a strong foundation in the arena. Be it academically wise or musically wise, practice will strengthen muscle memory, enabling students to remember the information for a longer period of time.

There are two types of people – either believing in “practice makes perfect” or “practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect”. The former quote is something that everyone has heard it at least once in their lifetime. Do you know that this quote can be dated all the way back to the 16^th century! (Manser, 2007, p.226) The latter quote is often credited to Vince Lombardi, mostly known for his contribution to American football as well as his determination to succeed. The quotes that he said during his time as football coach had since been widely used. Regardless which type of person you are, it is evident that practice is indispensable.

Some might argue that they are able to remember everything that was taught to them, and thus not needing practice. However, from a psychological point of view, it is possible for the student to remember what was taught to them in a short frame of time as it will be stored in their short-term memory. As new information begins to pour in, due to recency effect, the previous information might be forgotten. It is only through practicing (rehearsal), that enables the information to be transferred to their long-term memory. In addition, if the information is not constantly retrieved and rehearsed, this information will start to decay and be forgotten.

Figure 1: 2 Atkinson and Shiffrin memory model. (From Atkinson, R. C. and Shiffrin, R. M. The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 2, 89-195, 1968

Conceptual theory and practical is two very different identity. Being able to grasp conceptual theory does not necessarily translated into an excellent execution in practical. For example, watching MasterChef and learning the various techniques used in cooking – how to sear a steak perfectly. Without practice, it is impossible to guarantee that the quality of steak cooked will constantly be at the same standard. Minute differences such as the pan used (how well it can distribute heat evenly), the strength of flame (medium fire, medium-high, medium-low, etc.), or even the second to flip the steak (retaining the “juice”, giving it the “sear”) will affect the outcome and taste of the steak. It is through cooking steaks after steaks after steaks and paying attention to how the differences in the variables affect the outcome, will you then be able to cook a constant standard of steak.

Practice is basically doing something repeatedly to get a better control and understanding. Regardless from the point of psychology or real life examples, it is evident that practicing is an important factor that cannot be separated from success.

References

1. Manser, M.H. (2007) The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing.
2. Long, J. (2016, April 27) The Importance of Practice – And our Reluctance to do it. [Blog Post]. Harvard Business Publishing. Retrieved from: https://www.harvardbusiness.org/the-importance-of-practice-and-our-reluctance-to-do-it/
3. Memory Retention and Recall Process – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Atkinson-and-Shiffrin-memory-model-From-Atkinson-R-C-and-Shiffrin-R-M-The_fig1_299456892 [accessed 30 Mar, 2021]
4. Thorn, A., Page, M. (2008, August 15) Interactions Between Short-Term and Long-Term Memory in the Verbal Domain. Psychology Press.

You must be wondering why instrumental piano songs always pop out on top of every internet search whenever you try searching for relaxing music. If truth be told, piano, among other musical instruments, gives off very relaxing music that could take away our emotional stress and troubles.

We often find piano recitals in fine-dining restaurants and music lounges for the same reason that it helps people relax their minds—and even souls. Piano, as claimed by many, gives calmness and joy to someone’s soul.

However, a top-notch piano is also a big investment. Therefore, buying one may need a considerable amount of consideration. Thankfully, many music schools offer affordable piano rentals in Singapore today.

Buy or rent a piano?

If you love to play the piano or learn piano in Singapore, finding the best Piano Rental in Singapore seems the best thing to do. If you’re wondering why don’t just buy a piano for yourself, here are some reasons that you need to consider before doing so:

Buying a piano will cost you more than just renting out one for your practises, especially if you’re only a beginner. Beginners usually get tired of using a particular piano they had just tried using because they still hadn’t gotten used to playing with it. To avoid this enormous risk, opting to go for a piano rental in Singapore is better.

An average piano in Singapore usually costs around $800 up to more than a few thousand dollars, depending on its brand. On the contrary, a piano rental in Singapore may only cost you at least $150 or so.

If you’re to compare the price of a piano vs the piano rental price, you’ll also see a significant difference. If you’re unsure if you or your child would stick to playing piano, having a piano rental in Singapore would cost you less for taking this risk.

You may also try out the type of piano or even the brand of the piano you intend to buy to see if it would suit you best. You may also learn how to properly invest your time as most piano rentals in Singapore strictly follow certain schedules.

Advantages of renting a piano

There are various advantages of renting a piano. However, different things need to be considered before paying for the piano rental you found.

• Determine The Instrument You Want To Try

Even before renting a piano, you must determine the type or brand of the piano you wish to use for your practises. In the long run, you might want to buy the same piano, so you must try out the best piano you think seems to fit your needs. Experiment as much as you can before committing to a purchase.

• Consider A Piano That May Fit Your Home And Personal Style

It would be best if you also considered a piano that would fit your home and personal style. Pianos generally come in various shapes and sizes. Thankfully, the chance of renting a piano gives you the ability to choose the type of piano, also giving you the opportunity of determining the instrument as a home décor consideration.

• Playing Piano Teaches You Better Time Management

Life is busy as it is, especially when you have a full-time job or school classes to attend to. However, your hectic schedule must never stop you from learning to play the piano. The beauty of renting a piano gives you a reasonable time to practise within your hectic schedule.

Unrealistic to some, but this time of opportunity exists and even helps you check your commitment levels. Whether you or your children have just shown an interest in playing the piano, your commitment to undergo practise every day often determines how far you are willing to go just to learn piano singapore.

• Playing Piano May Help Develop Your Skills

Another benefit of playing the piano is that it may help you develop your skills. Since it requires your full attention, it would greatly help you practise better focus and concentration. Having a higher-concentration level also improves your memory and fends off the cognitive decline that aging usually causes.

• Playing Piano Will Improve Your Listening Skills

Since playing piano requires tuning and learning the different tones, rhythms, and notes, your discernment to know when a note is off is developed. Having improved listening skills is beneficial for your musical skills and in other areas of your life. We become more empathetic to others when we can listen to their clamours or even pick up non-verbal cues that they want to convey to us.

• Playing piano teaches you to have a better discipline

Learning how to play any musical instrument, especially pianos entails having a solid discipline. Learning piano is challenging, contrary to what most people often think of as an easy feat. It requires strong commitment and discipline to learn the complexities of playing it. This discipline is beneficial because you can also apply it to other, if not all, areas of your life.

Conclusion

Learning to play the piano is as exciting as it may sound. However, you must invest as little as possible, especially if you are still unsure if this skill fits your lifestyle. A piano rental in Singapore gives you various benefits, so investing a few dollars wouldn’t hurt you. It would provide you with discipline, improve your listening skills, and the ability to learn how to manage your time better. It would also help you decide whether the piano you wish to buy best fits your lifestyle or home décor.

If you are still unsure whether you need to rent a piano, you may want to try CRISTOFORI, a well-known music school in Singapore that offers affordable Piano Rental in Singapore and other musical lessons.

At CRISTOFORI, you’ll only need to pay $10 – $25 for renting Standard Piano Studio Rental (Upright Piano) and $50 for Standard Grand Piano Studio Rental (Grand Piano) for a 30-minute usage. You can even rent their Event Hall / Recital Room Rental (Grand/Upright Piano) for only $40 – $300 for an hour.