JK Music Productions

2009-03-21T02:35:00.000-07:00

If you love singing, dancing in a show choir, playing the piano/keyboard, writing songs, recording songs, arranging songs or performing, you are at the right place.

John Khoo is an experienced instructor with a wide array of experiences both in performing & teaching

He is the director and one of the two founders of John & Deniece Glee Studios Singapore and has conducted workshops and classes for corporate companies, MOE schools, etc.

To find out more, click on the navigation bars at the side...

2009-03-21T02:11:00.000-07:00

About John Khoo:

Director of John & Deniece Glee Studios Singapore (LLP)

(http://www.gleestudios.com.sg/)

Choir Conductor for Primary & Secondary Schools

MOE Amis Approved Instructor

Vocal Instructor in pop, choral and classical genres

Keyboard Instructor with ABRSM Piano Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (Communications & New Media)

Over 6 years of teaching experience....

Achievements in a nutshell
Vocal Instructor of Republic Polytechnic, Pioneer JC, Music Garage Singapore, Ang Mo Kio Primary, Tampines North Primary School

Keyboard Instructor for SOMA, Bedok Green Primary School

Former Member of SAF Music & Drama Company Vocal Ensemble

Performed with Tanya Chua in NDP. Performed in Istana for the His Excellency

Multiple Champion of Tertiary Competitions Rhapsody, Impresario, Virtuoso and Stardust

Competed regionally in Genting Be A Star

Choral Conductor of Pioneer Secondary School, Yew Tee Primary School, Fuhua Primary School

Colours Award Holder for contribution in music to Pioneer Junior College

2009-03-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

Piano/Keyboard Lessons Outline

NO MORE BORING CLASSICAL SONGS.
Now, you can play songs by your favourite artistes!
All lessons are now CUSTOMIZABLE based on your own interest!

Who can learn:
Everyone of any ages

Lesson Duration:
1 hr per lesson (Individual)
1 hr 15 mins per lesson (Group)

Group Size:
Individual Lessons
Group Lessons (of not more than 2)
*Keyboard will be provided during lessons, but students are expected to have access to a basic keyboard at home*

Lesson Frequency:
1-2 times a week (depending on your own schedule)

Lesson Outline:
-Learn to play with solfage (numbers)
-Learn to play with scores (reading notes)
-Basic hand/finger positions
-Chord progressions
-Accompaniment playing (this is particular useful for people who wish to sing and play)
-Melody playing (this is useful for people who wishes to just play their favourite songs on the piano without singing)
-Scales, Appregios, Chromatics (Finger conditioning)
-Sight-reading
-Basic counting (4-4 timing, 3-4 timing, etc.)

Advanced students:
-Different styles of playing (Learn how to convert your fast song into a slow ballad, or a pop song into jazz)
-Song writing (How to write melodies and lyrics)
-Song arrangement (How to compile a song and create a minus one for your song)
-Sing and Play (Learn to do both at the same time)

ONLY NOW, AND NOW ONLY!!!
Get a recording of your own playing/singing after every lesson to track your progress and see how much you have improved.

Email john@gleestudios.com.sg for more queries...

**school/tertiary students get to learn at a special rate**

2009-03-21T01:24:00.000-07:00

Singing Lessons Outline

All lessons are fully CUSTOMIZABLE according to your own interests:
I'm available for hire for teaching and training of choirs, acapella groups, and singing groups. I'm a MOE approved choir conductor with experience in conducting and teaching choirs and singing groups from Princess Elizabeth Primary School, Pioneer Secondary School, Republic Polytechnic.

Who can learn:
Anyone, both young and old. You are never too young, or too old to learn.

Lesson duration:
1 hr - 1 hr 30 mins

Location:
Jurong East; Your Place (transport charges applies)

Group Size:
Individual Lessons
Group Lessons (of not more than 3)

Lesson Frequency:
1-2 times a week (Customizable according to your free time)

Lesson Outline:
-Basic physical warm ups before singing

-Basic vocal exercises to increase range and correct common singing mistakes

-Improve on vocal pitching

-How to achieve better rhythmic feel into singing (Counting in a song, heavy beats and light beats)

-The proper use of your diaphragm (Better breathing)

-How to utilize the different kind of voices: Chest voice, head voice, forsetto, mixed voice

-How to find your own unique tone (create your own style)

-The difference between a pop voice, and a chorale voice

-Research into the different styles of modern pop singing

-Reading notes

-Vocal harmonization (i.e. Acapella music; singing different parts in duets)

Only now, and now only!!!

Get a recording of your own singing after every lesson to track how much you have improved since you started...

Email me at jkcm129@hotmail.com for further enquiries...

**School Students/Tertiary Students get to learn at special rates!**

2009-03-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Singing Tips

(This part is copyrighted and should not be duplicated without permission.)

Written by: John Khoo

Singing can be really complicated. I have compiled a few tips that have worked wonder for me over the past few years.

I started singing with a range of only 1 and three quarter octaves. My range now strethes across 3 octaves because of all these exercises.

1. Warm-Ups
Warm-Ups is the most under-rated activity that singers carry out. A proper warm up is necessary in order for you to protect your vocal chords, to prolong your singing career, to achieve a rich vibrant tone, to connect your chest voice with your head voice.

2. Lip-Trills. (Or bubbling like many will call)
Bubbling or doing lip trills with your lips work wonders in relaxing the muscles that are surrounding your vocal chords, allowing you to achieve what people call a "free voice". Linking up your voice properly with lip trills will also help to connect your chest voice, mixed voice and head voice together, making your voice very much richer.

3. Proper projection
Many people sing in hoarse airy voices, thinking that it would make them sound better (more emotional) or (more manly), (more rock), etc. Improper usage of this airy voice would damage your vocal chords by causing them to thin out. We should always try to sing using our speech level voice. (i.e. the way we speak, would more or less be the same like the way we sing). Airy, hoarse voices adds on to the style of your singing and can be used (think of singers like Ah Du, or David Cook), BUT only moderately.

4. Using a cry-like tone to sing
Making use of a cry-like manner in singing is something that singers like Michael Jackson have tried in the past. It allows you to add a certain layer of richness into your voice. At the same time, it also adds emotions to your singing. It may not be the most authentic and orthodox method of learning how to sing, but it certainly has proven helpful for a couple of my students...

5. Proper breathing.
Many of my students breathe incorrectly. Breathing is the most BASIC thing about singing. You may think that you are breathing correctly, but more often or not, you are not. Good singing starts from good, proper breathing. Correct methods to breathe include not sucking in your stomach, nor raising your shoulders when you take in a breath. The airflow that comes out while you are singing a note should also come out at a constant frequency.

6. Vocal Damage

This is no laughing matter! Many students that i initially taught have been practising with incorrect singing methods. Incorrect singing methods may lead to worn out tonsils, and thinning of the vocal cords. Inflammation of the larynx is also common amongst singers who practise the wrong method. Your voice wears out. If you want to still be singing the same way at 50 years old, practise the right methods!

I hope these tips have given you a little insight on the things you would be learning if you take up vocal lessons with me. At the same time, i would be more than willing to help people who have queries about singing even if you are not interested in taking lessons. I would answer any doubts to the best of my ability. Email jkcm129@hotmail.com =) Cheers!

2009-03-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

My Testimonials

"My younger sister and I came to John about 4 months before our other sister's wedding, wanting to surprise her with a singing and guitar piece. In a matter of 8 lessons, we were able to pull off a strong performance. For someone John's age, we both found him very professional in the way he carries himself and the way he conducts his lessons. Not only does he provide various useful inputs and valid suggestions, but he also listens to our requirements and limitations. We enjoyed all his lessons and now that it is over, we even suffered from withdrawal symptoms. We sincerely wish him all the best endeavour ahead"
Jerry, Juvena & Yunita

"In a matter of just 3 months, i learnt how to play my favourite songs by Jay Chou and Gary Chaw. I can now slowly play by ear. I have been very impressed by how easy John makes playng the keyboard seem. Lessons are always fun and the flexibility in schedule is particularly useful for a busy person like me..."

Leonard

"I have been learning for about 8 months already. I managed to improve on my singing and take away my nasal voice after my second lesson with John. Learning the proper way of singing has also made it easier for me to sing karaoke songs with my friends in k-box. I now have 4 mp3 clips of my singing and i can hear a lot of improvement from my first month till now."

Wei Ting

"John is a patient teacher who helped me to find my confidence in singing. I am now brave enough to sing in front of a large group of people."

Sandra Wong

"John makes music lessons so fun and enriching. I get to choose the songs that i want to play on the keyboard, and the songs i want to master to sing for karaoke. I can now sing and play at the same time and alot of credit goes to him :) I never thought i would be able to learn singing considering my age!"...

Brenda Lee

I took 4 lessons with John so that i can sing to my fiancee during our wedding dinner. He recommended appropriate love songs, and ensured that, i being tone deaf, could properly present the song to my fiancee at the dinner. I managed to put up a decent performance with just 4 lessons. Thanks!"

Mr. Jeremiah Tan

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Current students and ex students, if you would like to contribute and write me a testimonial, please email me at jkcm129@hotmail.com =) Thanks!

2009-03-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

PROMOTIONS

2008-10-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Get 30% off if you learn with a friend! (Applies for vocal, keyboard lessons only)

Learn 2 Skills at one go! Learn both vocals and keyboards together and get 50% off one class.

1 for 1: for recording services. Record one song, and get an additional hour free to record another one!

Email john@gleestudios.com.sg for more details :)

2008-06-14T02:32:00.000-07:00

RECORDING YOUR OWN CD

Record your own CD Quality recordings, your own compositions, your favourite songs.
Record a track for your loved ones, or your family.
Be it a birthday surprise, or a Valentine's Day Gift,
I provide recording services for all occasions.

Details:

1. You decide on what song to sing
2. You provide the instrumental minus one.
3. If you do not have the minus one, i'll create a basic unplugged track for you based on your preference of instruments
4. You sing, and retake until you are satisfied
5. All recordings will be given to you in raw format (.wav and .mp3)

Equpiments used:
M-audio Profire 610
M-audio Luna Condensor Mic
Shure Mics
Seinheisser Headphones
Yamaha Tyros 2 MIDI Ready Keyboard

Email me for details at jkcm129@hotmail.com

2008-06-14T02:24:00.000-07:00

Advanced Audition/Competition Crash Course

Have you always wondered why you falter during competition auditions?
Ever wondered why your breath support collapses and your high notes begin to sound strained?
Or have you had specific problems in your voice that you struggle to correct despite your crazy hours of rehearsals?

Course Details:

You pick your songs, sing them to me, we'll record the track down, listen through it together and I'll let you know whats wrong.

Take it as a mini audition, and a chance to have your own mp3 recording.

I'll quickly run through the problems, and give you a diagnosis on how to correct them.
Leave feeling satisfied with yourself :)

Email me at jkcm129@hotmail.com for details

2008-06-14T02:15:00.000-07:00

Music Composition

Do you want to know how musicians write their songs?
Do you have a tune in your head that you struggle to translate into music?
Do you have the ability to write magical lyrics with no idea how to create a tune?

With one to one music composition lessons, you will learn basic rhythmic patterns, basic melodic lines, harmonisation, chords, and basic musical arrangements.

You will be exposed to different genres of music and learn how to better develop the writer in you.