At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, we love helping young musicians build confidence through simple, familiar songs. This beginner-friendly play-along of “Silent Night” is perfect for students who are in the early stages of learning the violin and want a simple, step-by-step practice session they can follow at home.

📄 Download the score here: Silent Night Violin Sheet Music
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In this video, students can:

• Follow along at a comfortable beginner tempo
• Practice finger positions and bowing
• Strengthen rhythm and musicality
• ​Enjoy a festive Christmas classic!

​🎻 Watch the full play-along below and let your child practice along at home:

Happy music-making this festive season! ✨
~Learn 2 Play Music Academy

Piano and violin are two of the most popular instruments in the world — and for good reason! Both can create beautiful music and open doors to a lifelong love of learning. But when it comes to choosing between them, parents often wonder: Which one should my child start with?

To help you decide, let’s explore what each instrument offers — and how to match it with your child’s needs and personality.

The violin can be trickier for beginners. Children need time to master posture, bowing, and pitch accuracy, so progress at the start may feel slow (The Happy Pianist, n.d.). But this builds an incredible foundation — sharp ears, discipline, and patience.

The piano, by contrast, offers a gentler start. Since each key is already tuned, children can play pleasant sounds right away without worrying about pitch (Skoove, 2024). This early “instant success” often keeps kids motivated. Of course, both instruments become more complex as students advance, but the starting experience feels quite different.
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👉 Think of it like this: piano gives you quick wins at the beginning, violin rewards you richly over time.

• Piano: Great for visual and structured learners. The keyboard layout is like a map, helping kids see musical patterns and theory clearly (Ross, 2023).
• Violin: Ideal for children with strong listening skills and fine motor control. It trains the ear from the start and rewards careful, sensitive practice (The Happy Pianist, n.d.).

👉 Piano learners often “see” music, while violin learners are trained to really “hear” it.

Both instruments shine in their own ways!

• Pianists can accompany singers and other instruments, or dazzle as solo performers (Ross, 2023).
• Violinists get to join ensembles and orchestras, where teamwork and harmony take centre stage (Niles, 2023).

👉 If your child dreams of performing in an orchestra one day, violin might be the way to go.

• Piano: Builds an understanding of harmony and layering, since both hands play together. Offers a wide expressive range with chords, pedals, and dynamics (Skoove, 2024).
• Violin: Develops a finely tuned ear and lyrical, voice-like expression. It trains precision and emotional sensitivity (The Happy Pianist, n.d.).

👉 Both boost concentration, memory, and motor skills — wonderful benefits far beyond music!

There’s no “better” instrument — just the one that fits your child best. Consider their personality, learning style, and your home setup. And most importantly, involve them in the decision! A child who’s excited about their instrument will stay motivated and enjoy the journey far more.
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Whether they choose piano or violin, what matters most is nurturing their love for music and letting it grow.
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✨ At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, we’re here to guide your child’s musical journey — and to make learning both fun and meaningful.

🎶 Still deciding? Try our Instrument Sampler!
For just $60, your child can explore two different instruments in two separate 30-minute lessons. It’s the perfect way for beginners to discover what excites them most.

🎹🎻 To experience both, select the “Two-Taster Trial” option when signing up.
​📩 Sign up here to reserve your spot!

We are delighted to share a throwback to our meaningful collaboration with PCF Sparkletots, where their preschoolers performed an original National Day song specially written for our toddlers’ music class.
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Titled “To My Little Red Dot, Singapore”, the song introduces rhythm through familiar local elements — from delicious favourites like rojak and satay, to iconic places such as the Singapore Zoo, Gardens by the Bay, and River Wonders.

This special project was created to celebrate the National Day spirit in a fun and age-appropriate way, while nurturing musical awareness in our youngest learners.

We’re truly thankful to the teaching team for their passion, and to the families for their encouragement in bringing this music project to life. ❤️

Watch the full performance here:

Music offers much more than fun and entertainment—it plays a powerful role in children’s early development. From improving memory and language to building emotional understanding and social skills, the benefits of music are backed by solid research.
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At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, we’ve seen first-hand how music shapes young minds, especially in our toddler and preschool programmes. Here's how music helps—and how we bring these benefits to life in our classes.

​Research shows that children who receive music training tend to have better verbal memory, reading skills, and executive functioning abilities (Miendlarzewska & Trost, 2014). In one study, children who learned an instrument performed significantly better in verbal memory tasks than those who didn’t receive music training (Roden, Kreutz & Bongard, 2012).
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At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, we incorporate memory-building songs and storytelling into our lessons—activities that help children remember names, instructions, and routines with ease.

Through repeating rhythms, learning melodies, and identifying musical patterns, children sharpen their attention and pattern recognition. These activities strengthen their ability to focus and notice small details (Ohana Therapy, 2024).
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In our rhythm games, we’ve seen how music naturally helps children listen closely, follow cues, and improve their concentration—skills that benefit them in many other areas of life.

Music and language are deeply connected. According to a study by researchers at MIT, piano lessons may help children improve word discrimination even more than extra reading classes (Trafton, 2018). Exposure to pitch, rhythm, and tone helps children hear and process speech more clearly.
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We include tonal exercises, sing-alongs, and rhythm chants in our early childhood curriculum. While many young children may still be learning to speak, these musical activities lay the foundation by strengthening their listening, sound awareness, and vocal confidence—often encouraging them to attempt sounds, words, and simple phrases earlier than expected.

Music helps children understand and express their emotions—even before they can talk. Different songs bring out different moods, helping children identify feelings such as happiness, calmness, or excitement (The English Montessori School, 2024).
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We use a variety of musical styles and genres to help little ones explore emotions. Whether it’s a joyful clapping song or a soft lullaby, music becomes a powerful way for them to connect with others and with themselves.

Group music activities naturally promote cooperation, turn-taking, and teamwork. When children sing, move, or play instruments together, they learn to listen, take turns, and work as a team—important skills for social development. According to the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, social-emotional development in early years is shaped by back-and-forth interactions and shared attention, both of which are nurtured through musical play (Center on the Developing Child, 2023).

At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, our toddler and preschool group classes are designed with this in mind. Activities like passing instruments, creating group rhythms, and echo songs encourage children to interact meaningfully with peers and learn how to engage in positive social exchanges.

Dancing, clapping, and playing instruments help children build both gross and fine motor skills. According to recent studies, these activities can improve hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and balance (Yinan & Serrano, 2024; Figueiredo, 2024).
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At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, children get hands-on with instruments like shakers, handbells and even pianos. These activities translate into practical everyday skills, from writing to dressing themselves.

The early years are when a child’s brain develops most rapidly. Introducing music during this critical period amplifies the developmental benefits and lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning. We believe it’s never too early to start—and our toddler and preschool programmes are designed to make music learning joyful, meaningful, and impactful.

​Music in early childhood is more than just fun—it’s a powerful developmental tool. At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, we harness the power of music to help every child grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Whether through a playful beat or a gentle melody, music is helping little ones discover the world—and themselves.

🎶 Ready to give your child the gift of music?
Come experience how music can support their development at Learn 2 Play Music Academy. Book a trial class today!

Music exams are an important milestone in a student’s musical journey. They provide a structured way to measure progress, build confidence and set goals. However, rushing into an exam before your child is ready can lead to unnecessary stress, poor performance and even a loss of interest in music.
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With the rise of digital music exams, students now have the flexibility to be assessed from home. While this can reduce exam-day nerves, it also comes with unique challenges—from handling technical requirements to performing confidently without an examiner in the room. So, how do you know if your child is truly ready? Here are four key signs to look for before signing them up.

In a digital exam, students need to be able to perform their pieces independently, without real-time feedback from an examiner or teacher.

✅ They can play all pieces fluently with minimal mistakes and maintain a steady tempo (according to the tempo marking of the piece).
✅They can correct their own mistakes without reminders or guidance from a teacher.
✅ They understand phrasing, articulation and dynamics and apply them naturally to the music, expressing more than just the notes.
✅ They can perform confidently, not relying on the teacher for constant direction or corrections.
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🚩 Red Flag: If your child still needs frequent corrections, struggles with certain sections or has difficulty maintaining the tempo, they may need more time to practise before recording the exam.

Since digital music exams are recorded at home, parents play a key role in creating the right environment for a smooth and high-quality submission.

✅ Set up the camera with a camera stand at the correct angle to ensure the student’s hands, posture and instrument are clearly visible.
✅ Test the audio quality to ensure every note is captured clearly, without distortion or background noise.
✅ Follow the exam’s recording guidelines: no edits, proper framing and the correct file format for submission.
✅ Create a distraction-free environment by ensuring there are no interruptions during the recording.
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🚩 Red Flag: If the child is easily distracted at home or if the recording setup is subpar (e.g. poor lighting, muffled sound or incorrect angles), the quality of the submission may be affected. Parents should test the setup before the actual recording day to avoid last-minute issues.

Every digital exam has specific submission guidelines that students must follow carefully.

✅ They know how to introduce themselves and state their pieces on camera.         
​✅ They know they have to play all pieces continuously in one take.
✅ The parent/guardian understands how to submit the recording correctly, following the exam board’s guidelines.
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🚩 Red Flag:  If the student hasn’t reviewed the exam format or feels confused about the requirements, they need more preparation. If the parent/guardian is unfamiliar with the submission process, they should check the exam guidelines in advance.

Even if a student is technically ready, they must also be mentally prepared to handle the pressure of an exam.

✅ They feel motivated and confident about taking the exam.
✅ They are consistent with practise and don’t avoid their pieces.
✅ They can handle constructive criticism and make improvements.
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🚩 Red Flag: If your child constantly complains about practise, seems unmotivated or is fearful of the exam, forcing them to take it could backfire.

If your child meets most of the green checks above, they are likely ready for their music exam! However, if they still have multiple red flags, it may be best to give them more time rather than rushing the process.

At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, our teachers provide recording assistance to ensure students meet all digital exam requirements with ease. Whether it’s for ABRSM piano and violin exams or Rockschool electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and ukulele exams, our teachers guide students through the process. If needed, students can also rent our studio at a discounted rate to complete their recordings during school hours.

​We guide students to take their exams at the right time, ensuring they feel confident, well-prepared, and motivated to succeed. If you're unsure about your child's readiness, our teachers can assess their progress and provide expert advice.
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Thinking about registering for an exam? Send us a message on WhatsApp at 8044 3928 today to schedule a trial assessment!

Starting music lessons can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for both children and parents. To ensure your child’s first lesson is a positive introduction to the world of music, it's essential to be well-prepared. In this guide, we will provide practical tips to help both you and your child get ready for their first music lesson, easing any anxiety and fostering a love for music from the start.

Before your child’s first lesson, take some time to explain what will happen. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate any nervousness. Reassure your child that the first lesson is about getting comfortable with the teacher and the instrument, not about achieving perfection. Setting the right expectations can also help them approach the experience with confidence and curiosity.

To ensure your child’s first lesson goes smoothly, gather all necessary materials in advance. This includes the instrument, any required music books, and stationery such as pencils, eraser, ruler, and coloured pencils (for music theory exercises). If the teacher has recommended specific materials or books, be sure to have those ready as well. Arriving prepared shows your child that you value their lessons and sets a positive tone for the start of their musical education. This small step will help ensure that your child feels organised and confident as they begin their musical journey.

If your child is unfamiliar with their instrument, encourage them to spend a few minutes getting comfortable with it before the lesson. Familiarising themselves with the basics, such as holding the instrument and understanding its parts, will help them feel more confident. Keep in mind that this is about exploration, not formal practice. A relaxed introduction to the instrument can build excitement and reduce first-day nerves. Aim for about five to ten minutes of familiarisation so that your child feels prepared but not pressured.

Comfortable clothing is key to helping your child focus on their lesson rather than adjusting their clothes. Choose clothing that allows them to move freely and comfortably. If your child plays an instrument like the violin, guitar, or ukulele, ensure their clothing doesn’t interfere with their ability to hold or play it. This ensures your child remains comfortable throughout the lesson, allowing them to stay focused and avoid distractions.

Being punctual for lessons is essential to help your child feel settled and prepared. Arriving a few minutes before the lesson begins ensures that your child has time to adjust and get ready. This also allows for a smooth transition into the lesson, helping them feel calm and focused from the start. Punctuality shows respect for the teacher’s time and helps instil good time management habits in your child.

Preparing your child for their first music lesson is an exciting step in their musical journey. By setting clear expectations, creating a positive and comfortable environment, and focusing on enjoyment, you’ll help ensure that your child has a memorable and successful first lesson. Music is a wonderful way to develop discipline, creativity, and self-expression, and your support in the beginning stages is crucial for setting your child up for success.

As your child progresses, remember to celebrate their milestones, no matter how small. Each step forward is a testament to their growth and potential. With the right preparation and encouragement, your child will be on their way to discovering the joy of music for years to come.

If your child has already started their music lessons, we would love to hear about your experiences in preparing for their first lesson. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Music is a powerful tool for nurturing creativity, discipline, and cognitive development in children. To ensure a fulfilling musical journey for your child, setting realistic goals is key. In this guide, we will explore the significance of goal-setting in music education and provide practical tips on how to measure and celebrate your child's progress.

Setting goals in music lessons offers a myriad of benefits for young learners. It instills a sense of achievement, fosters motivation, and provides a roadmap for improvement. As parents, understanding the value of goal-setting can profoundly impact your child's musical experience.

Before embarking on goal-setting, it's crucial to understand your child's musical preferences and strengths. Tailoring goals to align with their interests ensures a more engaging and enjoyable learning experience.

Work with your child's music teacher to establish objectives or learning goals for your child's musical development. Break down larger musical objectives into smaller, achievable milestones. For example, rather than a broad goal like "learn a music piece," set specific targets like "mastering the first verse by the end of the week."

Regularly check in on your child's progress and be ready to adjust goals accordingly. Recognize when a goal needs modification and maintain open communication with your child's music teacher to align home and lesson goals for a cohesive learning experience.

Establishing a conducive practice environment at home is essential. Encourage consistent practice by making sessions enjoyable and rewarding. For instance, incorporate playtime after the practice session.

Celebrate both small and big milestones, reinforcing the idea that each step forward is a significant accomplishment in the musical journey. Beyond material rewards, consider offering positive feedback, encouragement to celebrate children's achievements in music, fostering intrinsic motivation and a positive learning environment. Explore opportunities for your child to showcase their progress through musical performances at home or within the community.

In the symphony of your child's musical journey, setting realistic goals acts as the conductor, guiding the melody of growth and accomplishment. Stay actively involved, provide support, and adapt as needed to ensure a fulfilling learning experience for your child.

If you already have children learning music, we would love to hear about your experiences in setting and achieving musical goals with them!

Mozart's well-known piano sonata in F major is an exciting and fun piece to play! If you are interested in mastering the piece for your Grade 8 examination or simply for fun, you can watch the video below! 

In this video, Ms. Shu Wen will give you a breakdown of the first movement and highlight all the important things that you should work on for this piece.

​As many students begin to prepare for the ABRSM Performance Grade examination, here is a quick summarized guide of all the important things you need to know before recording your performance.

From 9th March 2023 onwards.

​1. Prepare 4 pieces 

• A piece from each Section A, B and C 
• A fourth piece of your choice from the ABRSM syllabus below:
  • https://sg.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/key-information/ 

2. If you are under 18, please have a responsible adult present (note that he/she should not be in the video) for the recording of your performance to assist in the following:  

• act as page-turner if needed
• provide accompaniment for the candidate
• help the candidate with the video recording device
• carry out any pre-performance procedures that must be filmed except showing the candidate’s ID. 

   
3. Prepare a recording device and phone/camera stand if needed:

• E.g., of devices include smartphones, tablets, laptops
• 720p resolution to ensure the video is clear
• Camera view should show the candidate and the instrument
  • (For pianists: Ensure the entire piano/keyboard is visible with the pedals and candidate in focus; For solo instrument with accompanist: Soloist should be the main focus with accompanist behind)
• Landscape and portrait modes are acceptable
• Device should be static during the entire recording

   
4. Test and trial the entire recording on your chosen device:

• Video should be recorded in one continuous take including the pre-performance introduction (see below)
• There must be no post-production editing of the video
• Ensure clear sound quality and good lighting
• Ensure video and audio recorded simultaneously 
• Ensure device is well-charged
• Ensure device has sufficient space
• Ensure that the recording format is MP4, WMV, MOV or MPG
• Ensure that the total recording size is 2GB or less - you are required to compress bigger files

   
5. Prepare a hard-copy music sheet of the fourth piece/your own choice pieces

​6. Photo ID 

• IC, Passport, Driver’s License, College or University ID Card

1. Announce the following information to the camera:

• Name of candidate
• Exam subject (Instrument)
• Grade
• Piece/song title for each piece, along with the composer's name and list information (if applicable), in the order they will be performed.

2. Show your own choice/fourth piece of music score to the camera for 5 seconds

3. Show your photo ID to the camera - Candidate must show this themselves

4. Play all your pieces confidently

5. At the end, do look at the camera and say, “Thank you!”​

Finally, before uploading your video, do check the video to ensure both video and audio are working clearly. The file name must not contain any spaces or be blank.
 
All the best for your examination and remember to practice hard!


Other useful links from ABRSM:

• https://sg.abrsm.org/media/67041/guidance-for-performance-grades-id1-8.pdf
• https://sg.abrsm.org/en/about-us/news/articles/?abrsm[newsId]=94336 
• http//sg.abrsm.org/en/exam-booking/exam-dates-and-fees/

The ukulele is said to be like a mini guitar, and they are both very popular instruments that many would like to learn. It may be difficult to decide between a ukulele and a guitar. As such, we have curated this article for you to find out more about each of the instruments. Let’s dive into the similarities and differences between a ukulele and a guitar. (The guitar referred to in this article would be the acoustic guitar). 

Both the guitar and the ukulele are string instruments that produce a sound through natural amplification. This means that the sound of the instruments are produced when the string vibrates over the  body of the instrument. They have a similar body shape with a fretboard, which is where you would place your fingers on to produce the different notes and sounds. As such , you may come across similar finger movements on the fretboard when playing most of the notes, chords and scales.

1. Size and Weight

Size wise, the guitar is much larger than the ukulele, with the body of a guitar being roughly  50 percent larger than a ukulele. The ukulele comes in various  sizes but the most common would be the soprano ukulele, which has a scale length (length of the vibrating string) of around 33 cm while the guitar has a scale length of around 61 to 66 cm. 

​Weight wise, a guitar, on average, weighs around 1-3 kg, while a ukulele weighs only 0.2-0.8 kg. 
Based on the size and weight alone, the ukulele is definitely more convenient and portable to carry around.

2. Strings and Frets

The guitar has 6 strings, with 18-20 frets (vertical metal strips on the fretboard), that can play a range of up to 3 octaves. On the other hand, the ukulele has 4 strings, with 12-15 frets and can play a 2 octave range. Therefore, we can definitely play a wider range of notes, chords and scales on the guitar as compared to the ukulele. 

The guitar is made of steel strings and has a wider neck, while the ukulele is made of soft nylon strings with  a narrow neck. As such, it is much easier to press on the strings of a ukulele as you would feel less string tension under your fingers. Although the guitar strings might be slightly challenging to press on, the playing and strumming on the guitar would sound comparably louder and fuller due to the steel strings and the broader range of notes. Nevertheless, the level of comfort of your fingers on each of these  instruments vary from person to person, depending on the size of your fingers and hands. Someone with bigger hands might in fact find the ukulele more difficult to play on due to its small body and narrow neck structure. 

3. Sound

The ukulele produces a bright, gentle, and light sound, and it also has a soft tone as the ukulele’s body is much smaller than that of the guitar. However, the ukulele might lack some depth in sound as compared to the guitar which has a much richer and fuller sound. (Watch this video to listen to the differences). 

4. Technicalities

The strings are tuned differently for the ukulele and guitar. The standard tuning for the strings of the guitar are E2 – A2 – D3 – G3 – B3 – E4, while the soprano ukulele is tuned at G4 – C4 –E4 – A4. Although both instruments are tuned differently, the relative position of the notes are about the same. Thus, many finger movements and chords are closely similar when playing the guitar and ukulele. Of course, it is likely that the chords are easier to play on the ukulele because the same chord that requires 2 or 3 fingers to be pressed down on the guitar might only require 1 finger when on the ukulele. 

Strumming on the ukulele is also much easier as compared to the guitar as it is easier to use your fingertips on the soft strings of the ukulele. You may also use your fingertips to play on the guitar’s steel strings but it would take some practice and getting used to, in order to get the right tone. Thus, it is easier to get the technique of strumming right on a ukulele while a guitar might require some time.

We have summarized the various similarities and differences between a ukulele and a guitar into a table and a short video demonstration below. Do take a look!

Technically speaking, the ukulele may be an easier instrument to learn due to its softer strings and smaller size. As such, the ukulele would be easier for younger children as it is more comfortable and less of a stretch on their fingers. However, for the older children and adults, it would really depend on what style of music you would like to play or the sound and tone that you would prefer. Some might choose the guitar over the ukulele due to its wider range of tones and functions, ultimately being able to learn a wider range of musical styles.