Eight Tones Music School

Eight Tones Music School in Bugis is built entirely around Chinese instruments, a specialism few Singapore schools cover in such breadth. Founded in 2014 by local musicians active in the Chinese orchestra scene, the school reports more than 1,000 students and 500 lessons a week across erhu, guzheng, dizi, pipa, guqin, ruan, sheng, hulusi, liuqin and yangqin. Teaching comes in three shapes: one-to-one lessons tailored to the individual, small groups capped at four or five, and online lessons for players who cannot travel in. Every course bends to the student's goal, whether that is playing for leisure, sitting Chinese instrumental grading exams, preparing for the Music Elective Programme at O and A Levels or IB Music, or strengthening a Direct School Admission application. Pop songs sit beside traditional pieces in lessons, which run in English or Mandarin. More than 30 Singaporean teachers staff the school, and its studios at 465 North Bridge Road are climate-controlled and acoustically treated. A one-stop shop sells instruments, scores and accessories, with instrument and studio rental on offer, and students can perform in an annual showcase and in school music videos. Trial lessons are offered once per instrument and are chargeable.