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Fees FAQ

Why are the fees so cheap compared to other Music Schools? Compared to the US, Europe, Australia, Singapore its not! It's 1/5 th and less. Our Teachers are better and perhaps the best in each of the disciplines. Our method is NOT just 4 hours a month that's just the Contact-Classes. You get to interact during the other 26 hours a month that you will be practicing. Also ... since we are launching 5 then across 30 locations in Bangalore; it'll be closer to where you stay; providing convenience; enormous travel time; petrol costs etc.
What do you mean by Sustainability? Music and playing an instrument requires a lot of time; patience and staying with it. We want to help in ensuring that you stay motivated; constant stimulus is introduced on a daily basis; you find it convenient to meet and play with others; you will play your instrument for atleast one hour every day over YEARS of making music a way of life for yourself.
How do I pay? You can pay be cash (or cheque or demand draft) in the name of Music International. Please ensure that you get a receipt for all payments within 7 days. In the case of cash payment please ensure that you get a signed numbered acknowledgement on the spot.
When will I get my deposit back? If you are certain you want to drop out of music and Music International as a subscriber; please submit your request in writing. If and after any dues payable ... your original 2 (or as many months) deposit as repayble will be made to you within 7 days of your request.
What do you mean by 4 + 26 hours? You are supposed to play for 1 hour each day; before and after the 1 hour class each week. When you do you will need sheetmusic; a metronome; aural trainer; questions answered; some-one to talk to; observe how others do this; get answers; playing guidelines; practice companion. We do all this online and from our centrally managed resources for Music Students and Faculty.
How do I get individual attention? If for some reason you need special attention or have learning difficulties or are musically challenged in some way ... we expect you to come earlier or stay back (or even come to another location on another day); to help you overcome such a problem with specialised programme.
What if I do not have a Computer? Not a problem. Then we'll print out all the material and give that to you. Sometimes - after getting your approval - it may cost you actuals. Also we can give you a CD of video and other content for you to use at a Cyber-Cafe or on a friends computer.
What if I do not use email? Again not a problem. Just let us know and we will print any and all emails of the week and see that you get it at the next class.
What if I do not have Internet connectivity? Just let us know; and we will see that you get all the material on a Memory stick or other way that you can get your weekly material from us.
What if I do not have broad always on-Internet connectivity? Again we will see that the high-bandwidth content such as Video & Music files etc. are made avaialble to you through CD, Memory stick or other means. Print-outs are always an option.

Tracks FAQ

What do you mean by a Track? As you learn to play an instrument; you are a part of a whole or group or class or batch or track of musicians. You will get to know them; meeting for the express task of playing music with them; (1) At the same location in Bangalore.(2) On the same one-day of the week; (3) At the time of the Track specified.
How do I change a Track? If you have started with one Music Instrument and on one-track; you should give it time. Atleast 6 months. Once you are clear or we may suggest an alternate track then at the end of a month; you maybe placed on another Track. Of-course this would also be dependent on your Location Prefernce; Day of Week freedom; Timing of Batch; etc. This builds general musicianship apart from helping with the Learning Convenience of a Student.

Instruments FAQ

Only the Treble Recorder, Violin or Classical Guitar? Initally yes. You learn to read music notation. Understand the principles of muisc. Learn to play with others. Pick up on basic theory. Get to know what you don't know now.
What if I want to learn another instrument? If you already own an allied instrument or are really particular any allied instrument can be played immediateley. These include; Soprano, Tenor or Bass Recorder; Concert Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.
Acoustic Guitar If you join our singing vocal training track; Acoustic Guitar is an option. One or more of you can learn to sing and accompany yourself and/or others at the same time. The Acoustic Guitar learning can be adapted, extended to lead, bass, rhythm, jazz, blues, finger-picking or any other styles by yourself with guidance from us. It's easier and simpler as there are few rules and guidelines to really learn.
The voice as Instrument While the violin may be considered the King of instruments; and the Church Pipe Organ the God of Instruments ... the ultimate instrument is the Human Voice. You can learn to sight read any piece of music; constantly develop and enhance the quality and timbre of your voice. Learn to sing the most difficult and complex such as Western Classical & Opera solos to plain group sing-alongs ensuring that you are in tune and in rhythm. Leading a group in song with a Guitar is a learning objective in this Track and Programme.
Will you teach lead guitar, bass guitar or drums? No. However by learning to play the acoustic guitar the proper and right way with us ... you will build a good foundation in notational music and theory to easily adapt and play any style of guitar that you want to after 6 months to 2 years in this Track.
Why is piano not in this? Several reasons of our onw. A piano is usually 1 on 1. Several pianists cannot play together. The piano is not easily portable. Students go to Music Schools or Teachers come home. There are many Schools and many Teachers in Bangalore already.
Will you teach keyboard? No. An upright or grand piano will have 8 octaves and more. You do get electronic pianos - typically Rs. 50,000/- and above - much lighter and portable, with a good feel and sound close to a real-instrument. However amps, power-points and the 1-to-1 solo teaching necessity does not allow this in any of our programmes.
I want to learn the saxophone? The alto or tenor saxophone is an extremely popular instrument. It's best to learn to play the clarinet first. Both are reed instruments and music notation, breath control, good technique is best built learning the clarinet in a group with others. We encourage you to join our Woodwinds Track ... while helping you learn the Saxophone on your own. In our programmes and group programmes even one Saxophone is too loud. Imagine 30 of theme. 8-)

Music FAQ

What is genre? Once you have learnt even a little bit of playing an instrument; very early you - with us - will have to decide what music you like to listen to, enjoy and would like to play. Broadly what we consider are 2; 1. Western Classical Music and 2. Other or Popular.
What is Western Classical Music? Is only a particular instrument or groups of instumnents and particular music usually 100's of years old and played in a particular way for an audience who are particular about all this. You learn to be a part of this.
What is Other or Popular genre? Anything else including; Rock, Blues, Reggae, Folk, Carnatic, Hindustani, Bollywood, Samba, Tango, Nashville Sound, Country & Western, Jazz, Flamenco, Japanese, Chinese, Korean ... any and all other genres would fall into this.
I want to learn Jazz Jazz is complex and not easily acquired skill. You have to build a good foundation in THEORY and be intuitive and INNOVATIVE even to play one song. Again you have to choose the right instrument. You can sing jazz style; play jazz with a concert flute, clarinet, jazz guitar, piano, string bass etc. You should join one of our regular tracks and we will lay the foundation for your jazz aspirations.

Singing Voice Training FAQ

Is this the St. Marks Church Choir? No. The St. Marks Church choir is a part of the St. Marks Church and focuses on the Christian repertoire in music. The St. Marks Music Academy Chorus is a part of the St. Marks Music Academy and extends from Christian Music to Secular and other genres throughout the history of music.
I am interested only in Christian Music Whatever it is that you wish to sing, identifying your streanghts working on your weaknessess, regular use and improvement is an on-going aspect of any singing, voice-training.
Do you teach Carnatic vocal? Hindustani vocal? Pop songs? No.
Why western classical music? Western classical music with notation and the ability to use your voice as an instrument is condiered one of the most advanced forms of singing in the world. It is different and quite often seen to be extremely difficult, irrlevant, elitist, intellectually isolated etc. This is an effort to remove these erroneous assumptions.
Can anyone join? Almost anyone. However over 1 to 3 months, if a minimum level of ability, interest, discipline, attendance and learning is not forthcoming it is in the best interests of all that you look elsewhere or take your talent to other places.
How do I learn to accompany myself? We will guide those who are interested to be able to play the piano or classical guitar to accompany yourself with same basic arpeggios and chord-style play. For more advanced ability you can join the piano or classical guitar class independently.
Is it only Saturday morning? I am not free otherwise. Yes. We may consider other days or timings however for now this is the only slot. However you may still want to subscribe, associate and be a part of what we are trying to achieve.
You have said 9:30 AM to 12:30? Do I have to be there for 3 hours? No. The 3 hours are divided into Hour 1 for Children 5 to 12 age-group ie. 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Hour 2 is for ALL 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM everyone must attend (the more advanced children included). Hour 3 : 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM is for individual attention, advanced classes, special classes, extra inputs and you may be required to stay for this Hour.
How many people will be there at a time? The current plan is to have about 30. As you progress there will be - unfortunately - a 3-tier system of Group-A, Group-B and Group-C singers. Group-A will form a part of the St. Marks Music Academy Chorus. About 60-100 singers 10 to 20 Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Contralto, Alto and Soprano respectively. Group-C and Group-B should work constantly to reach higher levels.
How long will it take? Singing demands rigorous on-going practice. Singing requires physical fitness and does not happen over-night. Once acquired it has to be maintained. Muscles around the larynx, neck, head, chest, lungs, abdomen need to be in good working order. Language, diction, breath-control, throwing-your-voice, memorising songs, genres, singing technqiue, singing with others - solo, duets, trios, quartets, chorus all take team-work to a level that requires regular and constant practice.
Do I have to subscribe to this Music International Subscription? Yes. All the teaching materials, sheet music used, lyrics, music accompaniment, diction-exercises, minus-one tracks, practice tracks etc. will be available ONLY online during the week. It is an annual subscription paid in advance and you must renew this each year.
What do I need to get the best out of this Subscription? You will need to have a PC with speakers. Broadband Internet Connection at home for this. You could connect your MIDI keyboard to the PC if you own one.
Is the fees included in the Music International Subscription? No. The fees each month is separate for the classes you attend; currently ONLY at Bangalore and ONLY at St. Marks Music Academy. The fees to St.Marks Music Academy + Music International for this is separate and extra.
Can I get my own songs and music? Welcome. We encourage you to bring pieces that we can encourage you with and also take you help to expand the range, horizon, depth and repertoire of all our students.
Can I write my own songs? It is best to first learn the available repertoire of western classical music over the centuries first. Modern composers such as Andrew Lloyd Weber can also be attempted and learnt. If you can go beyond all this we would be happy to encourage you.
What songs will we be singing? Folks Songs. Music from Musicals, Ballets and the Opera. While English would be the most obvious; German, Italian, French, Spanish as required would also be attempted, learnt and practiced. It expands our repertoire apart from many songs sounding best in that language.

Infrastructure FAQ

What PC do I need to use this website? At a first level any PC that runs a browser will do. You will be able to access most of the information, view Music Scores, see viauals etc.
What about sound? You must get a decent set of Stereo Speakers. (A surround or 5.1 System is of no use as no recording will be 5.1 anyway). With falling prices you should spend on a higher wattage system preferably with a sub-woofer included. You can connect it to your main Music System for even better sound.
What about MIDI? Since many of the practice files are in MIDI (We will try to get you the best possible quality); you may want to take the MIDI out from your PC into a MIDI keyboard and then into your Amp/Speakers. Your MIDI keyboard sound-chip-generator will be far better than the PC sound-card.
What about video? We already have Video-Conferencing. However implementing this will require your infrastructure to be easier to use. The future looks good. Microsoft has bought Skype and is bringing this to the XBox. The Kinect on an Xbox has a good camera and the sound-pick-up is effective. It has wide-angle well. That's the way we would like to go.
How about Chat, Talking, Listening to a live musical performance? The key for this will be for you to have a separate and good quality microphone on a stand. ie. The usual 2-in-1 head-phone set with microphone has to be close to your mouth and is not of good quality. If you were playing an instrument and want the other person to hear it; the microphone, recording quality, storage size or throughput size and bandwidth at either end has to be good enough for this.
Want to know more? Please talk to us and we will help you upgrade your whole Music Learning Multimedia Experience to a new level.

Other & Miscellaneous

Who will my teacher be? This is usually decided at the time of joining depending on your choice of Instrument. This person is your Teacher; key-Faculty or Mentor. However since we have a lot of Teachers; different music expertise AND some of them have more time; while others may not be Computer; email NOR Internet-savvy ... we may have more than one person interacting with you. It is usually better as you learn more and get different persepctives of the same thing. After all music is about instinct, talent and the 5+12 notes in music ... even if it gets very complicated and advanced as you learn more.
What about Examinations & Certificatss? Currently we offer the British ABRSM and Guidhall Trinity Examination & Certifications. We are in discussion with the best Music Schools in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and USA for such options to Students.
What language will be the Voice Singing be in? The learning and training of voice will be in english with songs of our choice. In association with the respective Cultural Assocations; our French, German, Italian, Spanish, British, Amercian ... song books and repertoire will come from a combined effort with Leaders, Teachers and Support-Staff taken and coming from you.

Why are the fees so cheap compared to other Music Schools? Compared to the US, Europe, Australia, Singapore its not! It's 1/5 th and less. Our Teachers are better and perhaps the best in each of the disciplines. Our method is NOT just 4 hours a month that's just the Contact-Classes. You get to interact during the other 26 hours a month that you will be practicing. Also ... since we are launching 5 then across 30 locations in Bangalore; it'll be closer to where you stay; providing convenience; enormous travel time; petrol costs etc.
What do you mean by Sustainability? Music and playing an instrument requires a lot of time; patience and staying with it. We want to help in ensuring that you stay motivated; constant stimulus is introduced on a daily basis; you find it convenient to meet and play with others; you will play your instrument for atleast one hour every day over YEARS of making music a way of life for yourself.
How do I pay? You can pay be cash (or cheque or demand draft) in the name of Music International. Please ensure that you get a receipt for all payments within 7 days. In the case of cash payment please ensure that you get a signed numbered acknowledgement on the spot.
When will I get my deposit back? If you are certain you want to drop out of music and Music International as a subscriber; please submit your request in writing. If and after any dues payable ... your original 2 (or as many months) deposit as repayble will be made to you within 7 days of your request.
What do you mean by 4 + 26 hours? You are supposed to play for 1 hour each day; before and after the 1 hour class each week. When you do you will need sheetmusic; a metronome; aural trainer; questions answered; some-one to talk to; observe how others do this; get answers; playing guidelines; practice companion. We do all this online and from our centrally managed resources for Music Students and Faculty.
How do I get individual attention? If for some reason you need special attention or have learning difficulties or are musically challenged in some way ... we expect you to come earlier or stay back (or even come to another location on another day); to help you overcome such a problem with specialised programme.
What if I do not have a Computer? Not a problem. Then we'll print out all the material and give that to you. Sometimes - after getting your approval - it may cost you actuals. Also we can give you a CD of video and other content for you to use at a Cyber-Cafe or on a friends computer.
What if I do not use email? Again not a problem. Just let us know and we will print any and all emails of the week and see that you get it at the next class.
What if I do not have Internet connectivity? Just let us know; and we will see that you get all the material on a Memory stick or other way that you can get your weekly material from us.
What if I do not have broad always on-Internet connectivity? Again we will see that the high-bandwidth content such as Video & Music files etc. are made avaialble to you through CD, Memory stick or other means. Print-outs are always an option.