Core Values of Yamaha’s Music Education System

The YAMAHA MUSIC EDUCATION SYSTEM consists of a systematic curriculum which spans 7 years for children of both pre-school and school-age. The very basis, or core, of this system is the Junior Music Course and the courses which follow called the Junior Extension Course, Junior Advanced Course and Advanced Extension Course

We are convinced that engagement with music and active music-making should be a fixed component of modern society.

Playing and enjoying music has a positive and lasting influence on the way we live in our modern society.

The Yamaha teaching programmes for children take careful account of the age-specific capabilities of children, in terms of their physical, intellectual and emotional development.

The following principles determine the teaching practice employed in YAMAHA Music Schools:

… gives very clear direction on the conception of lessons.

Children learn their native language in a relaxed and casual exchange with others. In the training and differentiation of the childs "ear" a leap in quality takes place between the fourth and sixth years. This is an important stage not just for learning language, but also for music education.

The Yamaha Music School attaches particular importance to age-specific music lessons for children. This phase of life is very important to the future development of musical and intellectual abilities.

... is a central component of the YAMAHA Music School system.

The creation of a positive learning environment, providing interesting new experiences and exploring these with all of the “senses” is the challenge faced by the teachers engaged in these lessons. Students from very different backgrounds, different levels of prior knowledge and learning habits are encouraged to learn together, although they also receive individual support. They develop comprehensive musical abilities during this process of helping and motivating each other, which also contributes to the sense of team play when they play together in ensemble.

Many decades of practical experience and research into learning is incorporated into the teaching process which helps to encourage individual musical achievements by the group members.

... is of central importance to the YAMAHA Music School teaching concept.

A sound knowledge of musical rudiments is a prerequisite for creativity in music in order to realise ones own musical ideas. Improvisation, arrangement and other creative techniques are welcome additions to the standard lessons. Different musical styles and genres are accepted as being of equal value, and age-specific teaching material helps the students to enjoy practising right from the outset in order to achieve the learning objectives in a fun and relaxed manner.

The principle of "Learning is Fun“ is the one that sets the tone at Yamaha Music Schools.

An essential point in enjoying music is a comprehensive understanding of the elements of music: ‘listen’, ‘sing’, ‘play’, ‘read’ and ‘compose’. Yamaha Music School uses the keyboard as a learning tool but does not only focus on technical guidance for playing, instead allows children to learn music from different aspects. Thus children are motivated to apply their sensitivity and imagination and eventually, nurtures the ability to stimulate their creativity.

The Yamaha Grade Examination System is employed in the Yamaha teaching curriculum to provide a worldwide standard.

This system was introduced in 1967 as a means of enabling both students and teachers to check their musical abilities on a regular basis and to provide them with new musical challenges.

More than 9.5 million people have graduated from the Yamaha Grade Examination system over the past 40 years. In Japan the system has been widely adopted and has established itself as the national standard for assessing a persons musical abilities. The Yamaha Grade Examination System is currently used in more than 40 different countries.