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Pop Piano lessons
for adults
Our pop piano lessons for adults encompass all levels, including complete beginners, since 2003 in Singapore. As opposed to a traditional pianist, a pop pianist plays and embellishes a song. Our Pop piano lessons (for adults) cover improvisation techniques that can be applied to any song of your choice, including English, Chinese, J-Pop, K-Pop, worship, etc. Learn the art of piano improvisation by starting your Pop Piano lessons with us today.
Learn the right way to play Piano
Often, piano students—especially those studying Classical piano—learn by memorizing pieces note-for-note without understanding what they are playing. This method of rote learning is typically tied to the graded exam system (e.g., Grade 1, Grade 2, up to Grade 8), where students prepare three set pieces each year to pass an exam. The focus becomes passing grades, not achieving musical independence. Here’s the problem: Ask a friend with a Classical piano grade to play a simple song like Happy Birthday or Mary Had a Little Lamb using both hands—without sheet music. Chances are, they won’t be able to. Many Grade 8 pianists are limited to their exam pieces, and after less than a year away from the piano, much of what they’ve learned is forgotten. That defeats the purpose of learning music, doesn’t it?
Before watching the video (below), it is important to clarify that there’s nothing wrong with Classical piano itself. The genre is important. The problem lies in the approach one takes to learn. At PBE, we also offer ABRSM Classical piano courses designed for students pursuing certifications—while emphasizing the right approach to learning.
Pop Piano lessons
for adults
Our pop piano lessons for adults encompass all levels, including complete beginners, since 2003 in Singapore. As opposed to a traditional pianist, a pop pianist plays and embellishes a song. Our Pop piano lessons (for adults) cover improvisation techniques that can be applied to any song of your choice, including English, Chinese, J-Pop, K-Pop, worship, etc. Learn the art of piano improvisation by starting your Pop Piano lessons with us today.
Pop Piano lessons for adults (administrative information):
Course Title: P.B.E.S™ Pop Piano Improvisation Course (for adults)
Age group: for Adults and Teens
Lesson duration: 45 minutes one-on-one lessons (individual)
Lessons frequency: 1 lesson per week
Prerequisite: Zero music background
Available levels: P.B.E.S™ Level 1 – 8
Adults with zero background can enroll to P.B.E.S™ Level 1. The entire course can also be fully customized upon request (without following the P.B.E.Syllabus™) In addition, when you enroll for the P.B.E.S™ Pop Piano Improvisation course, you will receive the following incentives, exclusive to PBE students:
a) P.B.E.S™ CE booklet for current P.B.E.S™ Level
b) Login ID and Password for P.B.E.I.S™ Online Student Portal APP & Whatsapp Newsfeed
c) Free usage of practice studios (Room 5/Level 3)
d) Free scores transcribing service
e) Discounts on musical instruments
Learn the right way to play Piano
Often, piano students—especially those studying Classical piano—learn by memorizing pieces note-for-note without understanding what they are playing. This method of rote learning is typically tied to the graded exam system (e.g., Grade 1, Grade 2, up to Grade 8), where students prepare three set pieces each year to pass an exam. The focus becomes passing grades, not achieving musical independence. Here’s the problem: Ask a friend with a Classical piano grade to play a simple song like Happy Birthday or Mary Had a Little Lamb using both hands—without sheet music. Chances are, they won’t be able to. Many Grade 8 pianists are limited to their exam pieces, and after less than a year away from the piano, much of what they’ve learned is forgotten. That defeats the purpose of learning music, doesn’t it?
Before watching the video (below), it is important to clarify that there’s nothing wrong with Classical piano itself. The genre is important. The problem lies in the approach one takes to learn. At PBE, we also offer ABRSM Classical piano courses designed for students pursuing certifications—while emphasizing the right approach to learning.
P.B.E.S™ Level upgrading
Useful links:
All courses offered by PBE (which are in conjunction with P.B.E.S™) are either for strictly leisure based, academic or both. Newly enrolled students will be assigned to either Level 1, 2, or 3 upon registration. Along the course, there are three upgrading procedures – P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation, P.B.E.S™ assessments & P.B.E.S™ examinations
P.B.E.S™ CASUAL EVALUATION
P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation – The evaluation will be conducted by the student’s assigned PBE instructor during any period (after the minimum level duration) within the course to determine if the student is ready for the next level. The student does not need to ‘pass’ the current level to be officially upgraded to the next P.B.E.S™ level. The instructor will perform the necessary check-list to ensure that the student has studied and learn at least 85% of all subjects and be able to implement at least 50% of all improvisation techniques within the current level. The P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation is perfect for students who prefer the course to be completely leisure based with no examinations or any form of point grading system. The pace of instruction caters to the learning needs of each individual student to ensure adequate coverage of the syllabus. To conduct the P.B.E.S.™ CE (casual evaluation), your instructor will sign the CE form and either submit on behalf of the student OR present to the student to be submitted individually to the administrative office. The subsequent P.B.E.S™ student textbook and other relevant materials will be provided to the student upon giving the CE form. There will be no certifications offered to the student for P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation. Should students opt for certifications, they should consider either the P.B.E.S™ assessment or the P.B.E.S™ graded examinations.
The P.B.E.S™ casual evaluation is only available for students of Play by Ear Music School and not for the members of the public.
P.B.E.S™ ASSESSMENTS
P.B.E.S™ assessment – The assessment will be conducted by a different PBE instructor during any period (after the minimum level duration) within the course. The student will be assessed on the following elements:
Scoring
30 marks Song pieces
30 marks Contemporary music theory
10 marks Aural test
25 marks Improvisation
5 marks Sight reading of fake sheets
Duration of P.B.E.S™ assessment: 20mins
To conduct the P.B.E.S™ assessment, the student will require to book an assessment date with the administrative office using a accumulated valid. makeup lesson. Should the student has no makeup lesson credits, the student can choose to postpone any regular weekly lesson in replacement for the assessment. During the assessment, the instructor (tester) will assess the candidate based on the requirements and give a score. The instructor will provide the assessment form to the administrative office. Upon satisfactory competition of the assessment, an official certificate (mailed within 60 days), together with the subsequent P.B.E.S™ student textbook and other relevant materials will accompany the student’s graduation from the current level and promotion to the next level. The P.B.E.S™ assessment is only available for students of Play by Ear Music School and not for the members of the public.
P.B.E.S™ GRADED EXAMINATIONS
P.B.E.S™ graded examinations – The examinations will be conducted by an official graded examiner. There are 2 sessions within a calendar year which usually falls on June and Dec. Registration starts on Apr and Oct respectively. The candidate will be examined on the following elements:
Scoring
65 marks Improvisation
5 marks Sight reading of fake sheets
30 marks Aural test
Duration of P.B.E.S™ examination: 25mins
To pass, a minimum of 65 marks is required.
To conduct the P.B.E.S™ graded examination, the student will require to book an exam date with the administrative office. During the examinations, the examiner will assess the candidate based on the requirements and give a score. The result will only be revealed after 5 working days. An official score form together with the official certificate (should the candidate pass the exams) will be presented to the candidate within 60 days via mail. The P.B.E.S™ graded examinations is available for students of Play by Ear Music School and for the members of the public.
