Frequently Asked Questions (Our School)

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PBE was founded in 2003 (our truly humble beginnings) and we are now among the fastest growing contemporary music schools in Singapore. In 2015, we expanded to Shinagawa in Japan. We have also begun to introduce lessons for vocal and workshops for guitar.

Every PBE instructor must have both year(s) of experience in the gigging industry and previous Classical training till at least Grade 8. In addition, every instructor is required to complete the P.B.E.S™ staff training modules and score a distinction (equiv. to PBE certified) for P.B.E.S™ internal examinations before starting to teach.

We are open 7 days a week except on public holidays. The operating hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. on weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. We are closed on public holidays. Students are welcome to practice in the practice room or waiting area during our operating hours. Our music instrument showroom at Bugis is also open during these operating hours.

Play By Ear Music School’s main branch has always been conveniently located in the Bugis Village vicinity, along Victoria Street – 5 minutes’ away from Bugis MRT, and several meters away from the Bugis Village bus stop.

We are next to Burger King, facing Victoria Street, right at the main traffic light where many people are constantly crossing the road. You may park your car at Fu Lu Shou complex, Bugis Junction, Bugis+ or Raffles Hospital (recommended for the lower parking rates and available parking space). There are also open air public car parks nearby, next to Bugis MRT.

Please inform us and we can assist you by arranging your lessons to be conducted on the 2nd floor, meaning that there will be fewer steps to climb.

Unfortunately, no. All food and drinks must be consumed and disposed of outside the school premises.

No, we only accept cash, NETS or PayNOW (preferred)

Generally, PBE is not exam-oriented as many of our students sign up to learn for leisure; however, we can apply for external examinations such as LCM, ABRSM, etc, for those who wish to obtain a certificate.

Yes, you may do this, but only if your instructor is available on the day you request. Otherwise, you may need to take lessons under another available instructor.

No, we are closed on PH (public holidays).

We usually teach in English. But there are some instructors who can fluently speak other languages (.e.g. Mandarin Chinese etc) . You may check with our administrators.

Yes. Our instructors can assist students in this area upon request. Playing in a band means to play in comping style, which primarily is what our P.B.E.Syllabus™ covers as well.

Yes. PBE will organize a year-end concert or informal jam session every year in either Singapore or in Japan (or both) to showcase each student’s progress. Please check our latest events.

We used some of the highest graded hammer weighted keys for teaching purposes.