DESPERATE: good recommendations music schools in singapore?

[garylim]

i have been playing for about 2 years already, but am self taught and find that i have been improving very slowly as i have to juggle between studies, and other activities, leaving myself with very little time to play and practice.

this year i am in junior college and have signed up for some NYAA award which aids in university admission (its like some cca + cip + outdoor activities point system thingy), - but one of the requirements for the award is the skills component, which requires me to take up a new skill. as i have been playing the electric guitar for about 2 years already, i thought i could take up proper lessons in the basics of electric guitar / basic music theory, as it would help me as building blocks of guitar playing, as well as a stepping stone for advanced guitar playing. i have thus decided to look for an institution which is able to teach basic music theory at a rather affordable price, and that also gives a cert at the end of the course so that i can use it for my NYAA. its like killing two birds with one stone.

therefore, my final question is: has anyone got any music institutions to recommend? schools which teach good foundations at affordable prices (20-40 bucks per lesson? per 1.5 hours?). i've heard of good stuff about SoMA (school of music and the arts, which gives you a teacher and you will have to take your own exam for the cert) as well as negative stugg about yamaha and academy of rock, maybe about teaching stuff too basic or at too slowly a pace.

anyone can help with stuff they've heard about the different music schools around here in singapore, and even better, recommend me some with their advantages listed as well? thanks guys!

 

[keithC]

hey... soma is really good.
my church recently went sourcing for music schools to train some starting out musicians and we settled for soma..
i think the cost is pretty steep but more or less, guarenteed improvement

 

[garylim]

thanks keithC! yup my friend mentioned that the teachers are a little on the expensive side. his is 55 per hour, like WOOH! thanks anyway

 

[bolgash]

hmm maybe you can try out Epistage Acadmey. it is located at Pennisula Shopping Centre #04-34.. They offer quite a reasonable price.. and their teachers are good, they are real friendly and nice.. Currently I am learning vocals there too...^^

 

[garylim]

any other recommendations?

 

[kenny]

hi garylim,

actually i just signed up for membership yest. partly to reply to your topic LOL. btw to qualify for ur award... do they have stringent criteria on the certs awarded for ur guitar playing skills? i think tats important... i understand that yamaha is kinna slow only 4 group lessons. if u go for individual lessons i think its different. u can arrange the pace with ur tutor. the rates are quite reasonable.. oh ya... there are many levels for exams in yamaha for electric guitar. some other places teach too, but no certs issued... so .... quite a problem...

 

[mellapong]

Honestly NYAA is a waste of time. Heh.

 

[garylim]

haha waste of time? i dont know, heard its recognised in other countries too, but under different names. well but since im in for it, might as well get it than fail it right?

hey kenny, i think they dont really have a stringent criteria for the cert, but one which can testify that i know how to play the guitar will do. im not sure if one which shows that i have gone for a music exam will do, but im sure one which shows that i have taken lessons will work. anyway, the personal yamaha one, does the tutor quote his/her own price? or does yamaha do it?


thanks

 

[kenny]

hi gary,

ooo ic... since its not so stringent, things will be much easier haha. certificate of completion maybe is what u want i guess. i think its better
that u call up the schools to check if they do issue. oh ya... for yamaha,
the fees are standard, set by the school of coz. The drawback is that
individual lessons are only conducted during weekdays non-peak hrs. Fees
are just SLIGHTLY more expensive than group lessons. But then 30 mins
per lesson. U can arrange to speak with the instructor first before signing up,
and see if he can work out something for you. Since certificate is important for you... better check it out thoroughly haa. Other music schools, i'm not
too sure about it liao. hope the info helps.

 

[garylim]

hi kenny, that sure helps, thanks alot. but before i find out more from yamaha, i think i would try to look at other music schools first. thanks!

 

[kenny]

No problem. I'm also currently seeking a good tutor who teaches acoustic haha.