At our music school, we offer both group lessons and individual lessons to suit different learning needs. This guide outlines the differences to help you choose the best option for your musical journey.

Group Lessons

We usually start new courses in September, January, and April, depending on teacher and venue availability.

The length of our group course usually depends on the progress of the class as a whole. Some classes — especially those with older or particularly quick-learning students — may move through the beginner level quickly. Typical course length is between two to four terms, though in very exceptional cases, they may run for just two terms depending on the students’ progress.

During the first two terms, families can choose to:

• Register for both terms together and receive a 10% discount, or

• Register for one term first with an option to re-enroll later— a flexible option we offer in the first term to allow students to explore the instrument before making a longer-term commitment.

In the third and fourth terms (if any), we sometimes offer combined-term registration. This helps us keep the group together and create a stable, supportive learning environment. We always do our best to maintain a stable, supportive learning environment so we always do our best to place students with others at a similar level.

We don’t currently run group courses for students with prior experience in the instrument. Those with some background in an instrument are encouraged to consider individual lessons for a more tailored learning experience.

As students progress, we assess whether the group setting remains beneficial for their learning. If lesson material becomes too challenging for a group setting or if group lesson arrangement no longer provides the best support, we may recommend transitioning to individual lessons.

(In rare cases, if we don’t receive enough registrations for the second term, we may decide to offer the course for only one term. However, this is uncommon, as most students choose to continue their musical journey with us.)

Benefits of Group Lessons

✔ A supportive and engaging learning environment – Learning with peers fosters encouragement, motivation, and a strong sense of community that keeps students engaged and committed to their learning.

✔ More cost-effective – A lower-cost way to explore an instrument before transitioning to individual lessons.

✔ Confidence building – Playing in front of others helps students become more comfortable with performing.

✔ A motivating start for beginners – Learning alongside peers at a similar level helps build confidence and encourages consistent practice.

Downsides of Group Lessons

✖ No one-time trial lesson available – Due to fixed venue hire costs, we are unable to offer a one-time trial lesson for group lessons, unlike individual lessons where a trial can be arranged. Students must commit to at least one term when they first enroll in the course.

✖ Less flexible and no make-up lessons – Our class timetable may not suit everyone, and make-up lessons are not available for missed classes.

✖ Limited individual attention – Teachers divide their time among multiple students, so individual feedback may be less frequent compared to private lessons.

✖ Different progress rates – Since group lessons follow a general pace, faster learners may feel held back, while those needing more support may struggle to keep up. However, our experienced teachers strive to group students in ways that support balanced learning. To help ensure the best learning experience, we may reallocate students to a different group mid-term or at the end of a term if their progress significantly differs from their peers. For example, if a student is advancing much faster than their classmates, they may be invited to join a more advanced group. This keeps them challenged and engaged at an appropriate level. Any reallocation will be handled carefully, considering both the student being moved and the existing members of the new group. We will also ensure that the new group remains within the maximum number of students allowed for the course

✖ A structured curriculum with limited flexibility – Group lessons follow a set curriculum that may not always align with a student’s personal interests. For example, a student passionate about a particular piece of pop music may not have the chance to explore it in-depth during the class time.

• 🎹 Find out more about our next Beginner Piano Group Course

• 🎻 Find out more about our next Beginner Violin Group Course

• 🎶 Join our waitlist to request new group courses for other instruments and get 5% off your future registration!

Individual Lessons

Why Individual Lessons Are Important for Instrumental Learning?

While group lessons provide an excellent foundation, individual lessons offer a tailored learning experience that becomes increasingly important as students progress as explained in the following sections.

Benefits of Individual Lessons

✔ Faster learning pace – From our experience, students in individual lessons progress much quicker. For example, one of our beginner piano students, age 6, progressed from a complete beginner to playing beyond Grade 1 level and is now working towards Grade 2 in just six months, including term holidays.

✔ More flexibility in scheduling – We offer one cancellation or make-up lesson per term under specific circumstances. Please see our regular lessons terms and policies for details.

✔ One-time trial lesson available - Unlike group lessons, we offer a one-time trial lesson for individual lessons, allowing students to experience whether they are the right match with the teacher and if the lesson length works best for them. 🎵 Book your trial individual lesson today

✔ Ideal for serious musical development – The faster pace and tailored approach make private lessons ideal for students aiming for specific learning achievements, such as ABRSM music exam, music scholarships, competitions, or performances.

✔ More accessibility – Individual lessons can be held at your home, making scheduling easier. Busy parents can continue working while their child learns. This also reduces travel time and costs.

✔ More personalised feedback and attention – The teacher adapts lessons to the student’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring steady progress. There is also more direct communication with students (and parents), providing regular feedback on key focus areas—something less frequent in group settings.

✔ Adaptable learning approach – Lessons cater to each student's preferred learning style, for example, whether they learn best by ear or through sheet music.

✔ Customised learning experience – Individual lessons allow students to explore their personal musical interests. For example, if a student enjoys pop music, we can incorporate elements of pop into their lessons or help them learn specific songs—something not always possible in group lessons.

Downsides of Individual Lessons

✖ Higher cost – While more expensive than group lessons, faster progress often means fewer lessons are needed to reach the same level so the overall cost may not be higher in the long run.

✖ Less peer interaction and learning – Unlike group lessons, private lessons lack the same social aspect, as students don’t have classmates to observe, learn from, or engage with. Without peer comparison, students need to be more self-motivated to stay on track with their practice.

• 🎵 Find out more about our individual lessons and fees

• 🎹 Book your trial individual lesson today

Transitioning from Group to Individual Lessons

Near the end of the minimum two-term period for a new beginner instrumental group course, we work closely with teachers to assess the best learning pathway for each student. Some students may continue in group lessons, while others may be recommended for individual lessons for more focused support.

If group lessons remain a suitable choice, they may only continue if all or a minimum number of students in the same group re-enroll. However, in most cases, we do not offer group lessons for more than four consecutive terms, as the material often becomes too advanced for a group learning environment.

At this stage, we may recommend transitioning to individual lessons to ensure students continue to progress effectively.

Want to Learn More?

If you are unsure whether group or individual lessons are the best for you, feel free to contact us! We are happy to discuss the best learning path to support your and their musical journey.