Special piano teaching formula promotes creativity

Choon, the founder of Praise Music International.

THE class bustled with excitement as more than 60 students ranging from nine to 75 years old learned to play piano together.

Despite their age difference, they all had one thing in common – no prior background in music, yet they were able to play self-composed tunes in only one-and-a-half years. Such were the students produced by the Praise Music International (PMI) piano course.

PMI was founded by Pastor Irene Choon in 1990, who was at the juncture of giving up her music teaching career.

But then inspiration struck, and she wrote down in four hours an unheard of piano teaching method.

Thus, PMI was born. Instead of only learning to play by notes, which allow no room for improvisation, the course focused on a “touch system” consisting of chords, sol-fa, play-by-ear and notes.

“Chords allow different students to play the same song differently, reflecting the individual’s personality and creativity,” said Choon.

The PMI course uses a musical formula, like a mathematical formula, and lessons are conducted in a group, building on the basis of team learning. These are designed to maximise group interaction.

“By learning in a group, students can spur and encourage each other to improve,” she added.

At the end of the course, each student learns to compose a song.

There are now PMI schools in Kota Kinabalu, Petaling Jaya, Ipoh, Johor Baru, Kuching and Sibu.