Approach
I love the classical guitar and I want to share my passion for the instrument with you.
Learning the classical guitar can be a magical and rewarding experience. It isn’t easy, but once you learn to play the classical guitar, it will be one of the most gratifying accomplishments you’ll ever achieve.
But we need good technique and musical understanding to bring out the beauty of the guitar. Therefore, these are the two qualities I constantly strive to impart to my students.
My syllabus is proprietary and modern as well. I use works than span a variety of eras that include the classical, romantic , baroque, renaissance and modern eras. Students will also be taught how to play popular music.
Once the student has developed the pre-requisite skills, I also introduce popular music.
I customize my syllabus according to the needs and deficiencies of my students. As a result, the syllabus and pacing are determined by the student’s ability.
Solo Classes
Beginner Level (Grades 0-2) – $180.00
Intermediate Level (Grades 3-4) – $220.00
Upper Intermediate Level (Grades 5-6) – $280.00
Advance Level (Grades 7-8) – $360.00
All prices quoted are per person, per month. For your convenience, guitars and footstools are provided during class. No hidden charges. Lessons are held once a week, and are one-hour in duration.
No lessons on term breaks.
Duo Classes
Beginner Level (Grades 0-2)- $135.00
Intermediate Level (Grades 3-4) – $165.00
Upper Intermediate Level (Grades 5-6) – $210.00
Advance Level (Grades 7-8) – $270.00
All prices quoted are per person, per month. For your convenience, guitars and footstools are provided during class. No hidden charges. Lessons are held once a week, and are one-hour in duration.
No lessons on term breaks.
Students are to form duo classes with their friends/ family.
Term Breaks
There are 52 weeks in a calendar year. My students receive 48 classes per calendar year, with 4 weeks serving as term breaks.
During the term breaks, there are no lessons. Instead,I assign optional goals or special homework for students. Alternatively, they can simply take a break!
For 2024, the term breaks will be on:
Chinese New Year
8 Feb to 14 Feb (both dates inclusive)
Mid Year Semester Break
24 June to 30 June (both dates inclusive)
1 July to 7 July (both dates inclusive)
Christmas:
25 to 31 Dec (both dates inclusive)
Classical Guitar Lessons for Children/Young Learners
I teach young children from the age of 7 onward. Smaller sized instruments will be provided for the child to use during classes. I believe in working closely with parents to develop the child’s musical potential, and one parent may sit-in for during classes for free . Alternatively, working parents may choose to observe all classes via teleconference/web cam. For parents who are unable to sit-in for classes, I am also provide progress updates via WhatsApp.
Admission for ABRSM/Trinity College of London Classical Guitar Exam Candidates
I prepare students for both ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and Trinity College of London classical guitar exams from Initial (Grade ‘0’) up till Grade 8. I have a 100% pass-rate up with many students taking exams of various grades including several at grade 8.
Candidates who have already registered for the classical guitar exams need to have at least 3 months left to prepare (subject to evaluation during a trial class, and/or mock-tests) if they wish to study with me. I recommend candidates have at least 6 -12 months of preparation time if they would like to take the exam under me.
Rescheduling/Flexible Classes/Home-based Learning for Classical Guitar with Zoom /Skype/FaceTime
While weekly classes gives us the opportunity to create a stable learning environment with plenty of checkpoints to validate our musical growth, sometimes you may need some flexibility in scheduling your classes. I am deeply committed to your learning, and I allow flexible scheduling*, using my online scheduling system.
I also offer online classical guitar lessons using Zoom/Skype/FaceTime. I use studio grade lighting/cameras/microphones with a wired Ethernet connect for the best possible experience. Parents are allowed to virtually sit-in for class and students may opt for a mixture of face-to-face and online classes.
*Each student may only have up to two rescheduled classes at any point of time. Students who try to reschedule more than two classes will have subsequent attempts rejected until they cancel/consume classes. Each class can only be rescheduled once. Classes can be rescheduled +/- 30 days from its original date.
Location & Testimonials
Students can look forward to studying in a specially-designed, temperature and humidity controlled music studio. This will allow students to experience what classical guitars are supposed to sound like when stored at ideal humidity levels (50-60% instead of Singapore’s 90%).
For greater convenience, students are encouraged to use the guitars provided during class so that they do not need to bring their own. Music stands, foot stools and guitar supports are also provided. To cater to students of all ages and sized, the full gamut of classical guitar sizes are stocked in the studio. Students may use the premium Yamaha CG151C (full sized) or Alhambra 3C (1/2, 3/4 or 7/8 sized).
Unlike other music schools, students do not need to bring their guitars. I also provide premium solid topped instruments, as opposed to cheaper laminated topped guitars.
Students will also enjoy ergonomic, height adjustable seating and high output anti-flicker/anti-blue light lighting in addition to complimentary high speed Wifi.
Note that due to space constraints, only one parent is allowed to sit-in for classes at the music studio. All other guests can relax in the living room with complimentary freshly-ground coffee, tea, water and other refreshments from the kitchen.
Students and their family can park at the multi-storey carpark upon entering the estate. The carpark has plenty of empty lots on both weekdays and weekends and is located next to 224D.
The new music studio is 3 minute walk from the Sengkang MRT station, or 7-minute bus ride from the Sengkang bus interchange.
I hope all students and their guests will enjoy this carefully-curated, enhanced learning environment.
To see my exact address, and see what some of my students have to say about me, check out my location on Google Maps.
About Me
I started playing the classical guitar in 1999. I’ve studied under Mohammed Zuklifee, the renowned Ernest Kwok and Cultural Medallion Recipient, Alex Abishegenaden.
I was trained by Ernest trained for 5 years, and Alex acted as a ‘mentor’ for 3 years. I was a principle performer and later a paid instructor as Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings.
It was at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings where I gave short recitals and performances. It was during this time that I began teaching in earnest while acting as an assistant conductor to Alex.
After I retired from Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings, Alex requested that the school retain me, by making me a paid instructor. I was deeply moved by Alex’s request and stayed on until I had to fulfill my National Service duties.
Having completed my National Service duties, I resumed private teaching.
Over the years, I have attended masterclasses by luminaries such as Roland Dyens and Yang XueFei. I have also met notable classical guitar personalities such as Masaki Sakurai, Naoka Yamashita, Toru Yamashita and Wataru Tsuji to name a few.
Since I started teaching in 2006, I have taught hundreds of students. My students have successfully auditioned for guitar clubs (where they undertake leadership positions), passed music exams and some perform regularly. I have prepared students for ABRSM and Trinity exams up to Grade 8. I have a 100% pass rate with the overwhelming majority of my students receiving at least a merit.
For beginners, 80% of students (who have little/no training in classical guitar) reach grade 3 playing ability within 8 months (instead of 4 years).
My students range in age and ability. I have young students who are less than 10 years old, and adult students over the age of 60.
I have taught gifted young children, and students with hearing/visual impaired, dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
I believe that music can be accessible by explaining complicated concepts in simple ways that everyone can understand.
Start Lessons Now
Ready to begin? I recommend we start with a no-obligations, one-lesson trial. Students simply pay for that lesson.
Student Quotas & Waiting List
I have a quota of 40 teaching hours a week, and I am typically booked for around 38 hours most of the time. I have some permanent time slots available for immediate booking. If you would like a popular time slots (weekends, weekday mornings/evening) you may have to join my wait list. Most students typically get their preferred time slot with 2-3 months of joining the wait list.
Booking a trial lesson does not guarantee students a permanent placement in my student roster.
If you would like to join the waiting list, or would like to study with me, but cannot find a suitable time slot, please contact me using the options below.
Questions?
You can WhatsApp me by clicking on this icon:
You can also call or message me at +65-98411123 or e-mail me at dedrick@dedrickkoh.com.
