(1) Fees payable in full every month. However during February and December when Chinese New Year and Christmas/New Year's Day occur, there are only 3 lessons in those months as opposed to the usual 4. But you still pay the full fees for those 2 months.

(2) There is no make-up lesson if you have to postpone due to any reason. Sure you could go get an MC (which is also $$), but what is this? Primary school? Even my employer is more understanding.

(3) Course books, ABRSM theory papers are at least 25% more expensive than other music bookstores.

1 and 2 is common.
is like tt one.

3 u dun have to buy from the school
can go buy from elsewhere

So troublesome, yo dude, why not u join those chinese funneral musical band, they give free lesson and are presently in great demand, one nite performance $70 dollars with free Marigold drinks and curry chicken dinner. And also free towel and transports

Haha that is common already, Yamaha can suddenly raise their course fees without any pre notice. Music isn’t cheap in singapore, so without the passion its best that you drop the idea.

Originally posted by FireIce:

1 and 2 is common.
is like tt one.

3 u dun have to buy from the school
can go buy from elsewhere

(1) + (2) I beg to differ. I've been to quite a few different music schools to learn/enquire before. They all offer at most one make-up per term. But that's at least a make-up.

(3) I've already bought all my books from a book store after realising how much they're overcharging. 

actually anything Arty is costly to pursue as a passion or hobby..

Originally posted by angel7030:

So troublesome, yo dude, why not u join those chinese funneral musical band, they give free lesson and are presently in great demand, one nite performance $70 dollars with free Marigold drinks and curry chicken dinner. And also free towel and transports

I'm trying to pursue a classical music education. I doubt those bands offer what I want. Besides, my father used to play for them. He has ready connections. But that's not what I want. Thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.

Originally posted by kaeden:

Haha that is common already, Yamaha can suddenly raise their course fees without any pre notice. Music isn’t cheap in singapore, so without the passion its best that you drop the idea.

I know music isn't cheap. i've changed so many teachers/schools to know that already. The problem lies with the teacher is just an employee of the school, most of the time just there to earn a living without any care to see if you progress or not. I've more passion than the teacher sometimes. Why should I pay for the rubbish fee in that case? Why should I be at their mercy when I'm paying my hard earned money?

make-up class is subject to teacher and room availability
sometimes u can get, sometimes u can't

俺 oso been to a few music schools and private teachers
according to 俺 experience, pte teachers better than music schools
more flexible timing, willing to offer makeup class, fees about the same or 10% less than schools (cos they oso no want spoil market) and they buy scores books got discount, which they will pass down to students
or they will buy the book but photocopy for students

what instrument did you learn if I may ask? Initially i thought by going to a big music school I'd at least be protected from certain atrocities some pte teachers could pull off like very last min cancellation, taking forever to arrange the make up lesson etc.

88 keys

Originally posted by Jagged:

I know music isn't cheap. i've changed so many teachers/schools to know that already. The problem lies with the teacher is just an employee of the school, most of the time just there to earn a living without any care to see if you progress or not. I've more passion than the teacher sometimes. Why should I pay for the rubbish fee in that case? Why should I be at their mercy when I'm paying my hard earned money?

I've to agree with you that most of the teacher here are just teaching for the sake of teaching and not teaching with passion. But i feel that its because singapore doesn't have the market for grooming musical talents or maybe because people find music as an impractical solution as a future. Sure there are successful cases, but what are the odds and most of them went to abroad for training. I'm not saying that there are non of those passionate teacher in singapore, but chances are very slim. I'm sure you're more familiar with this situation then me since you've already been to so many musical school in Sg.

i agree with FI. i feel that private teachers seem more sincere in teaching than music school teachers. you could get recommendations from friends on good private teachers.

truly.... if you are truly and sincerely pursuing a music career, then go for the teacher and not worry yourself over school policies - which are like some of them already say, are common. If you are serious about a music career, I have some recommendations - cannot post online. also teacher taking in students dependant on student's ability. um... can contact me. can private message me... I dunno how but yah.

Originally posted by cuddles:

actually anything Arty is costly to pursue as a passion or hobby..

Art - when you want it, it's expensive. when you sell it for living, it's cheapened.

Originally posted by w.eikaas:

truly.... if you are truly and sincerely pursuing a music career, then go for the teacher and not worry yourself over school policies - which are like some of them already say, are common. If you are serious about a music career, I have some recommendations - cannot post online. also teacher taking in students dependant on student's ability. um... can contact me. can private message me... I dunno how but yah.

agree on the teacher front - the place I'm at (not sg so unless you're made of money not really helpful but www.acm.ac.uk) the regular teachers range from past students to the likes of Pete Friesen (The Almighty & Alice Cooper) plus loads of people come in from time to time for masterclasses etc (eg, Mark Richardson - Feeder/Skunk Anansie, Chad Smith - RHCP, Jimmy Page, Dave Stewart) - experience counts for a lot.

Really depends what kinda music you want to do, if you're into rock stuff it doesn't have to be expensive - the nets full of stuff to learn your trade on guitar/bass/drums - just get in a band with some mates, learn some songs, get some gigs... best education you could get in that kinda music.

Originally posted by w.eikaas:

truly.... if you are truly and sincerely pursuing a music career, then go for the teacher and not worry yourself over school policies - which are like some of them already say, are common. If you are serious about a music career, I have some recommendations - cannot post online. also teacher taking in students dependant on student's ability. um... can contact me. can private message me... I dunno how but yah.

Hi,

You've got mail :)

Originally posted by Jezmeister:

agree on the teacher front - the place I'm at (not sg so unless you're made of money not really helpful but www.acm.ac.uk) the regular teachers range from past students to the likes of Pete Friesen (The Almighty & Alice Cooper) plus loads of people come in from time to time for masterclasses etc (eg, Mark Richardson - Feeder/Skunk Anansie, Chad Smith - RHCP, Jimmy Page, Dave Stewart) - experience counts for a lot.

Really depends what kinda music you want to do, if you're into rock stuff it doesn't have to be expensive - the nets full of stuff to learn your trade on guitar/bass/drums - just get in a band with some mates, learn some songs, get some gigs... best education you could get in that kinda music.

Well the problem is I'm not getting any younger. nearing my 30s already. I doubt any teacher who's like yours would pay any attention to me. I can ask shit loads of questions sometimes. That's why I'm also fussy about my teacher, whom, sometimes is even younger than me. But I know I'm not talented at all. I've tried all that net stuff, self help books etc. Theoratically I understand quite a bit of things but that's not how music works unfortunately. that's why I'm convinced I need guidance.

im a classical music teacher, and i teach both pte and in a music school. well, and since im on my way to clearing my grade 8 this year, im also a student.

i used to be under a music sch, and i hear my teacher complain about how in a music school, most of the time, they have no choice but to turn art into business, and soon, nuturing the next generation becomes a business.

speaking for music teachers now, i guess i love this job because i love to work with kids (zero office politics), and its flexible. some of us have a full time job, while others may have a family to take care of, and we as teachers hate to cancel lessons unless nesscessary.

while in a music sch i guess its different. u know i get paid so on time in the music sch, because there is a system, and my pte students on the other hand, (their parents) will delay payment, and im the type who appreciates automatic-ness.

we have our difficulties as well.

i think we're both from the same music school..is it one of the music schools in katong mall?

Originally posted by angel7030:

So troublesome, yo dude, why not u join those chinese funneral musical band, they give free lesson and are presently in great demand, one nite performance $70 dollars with free Marigold drinks and curry chicken dinner. And also free towel and transports

WAH u are so INSENSITIVE. U think everybody is born with a silver spoon like u?? where dollars and cents dont matter?

NOthing wrong  understanding our CONSUMER RIGHTS.  Heard of e statement , ASK IF IN DOUBT?

Study music for what?? useless one lah, no future....

mine was in serangoon. not katong. i stayed on, but became a private student after grade 5.

Originally posted by cyberr1981:

Study music for what?? useless one lah, no future....

can 修身养性
so wun be like u like tt loh

Originally posted by FireIce:

can 修身养性
so wun be like u like tt loh

lol..