What is it like to be born to parents who are music instructors? For Ethan Lim, now almost 9 years old, life has been all about growing up with the sound of music. Ethan’s father is Lim Jit San, a music teacher with Yamaha and his mother is Hui Huei, who is also a music teacher.
Jit San says he has hands-on experience taking care of Ethan since he was two months old. Both parents take turns providing childcare with cooperation and coordination but the one unifying factor that has bonded them together through the years, is music.
Today, Ethan plays the piano, the Electone, the violin, the ukulele and he loves to sing. He performs in concerts, enters international competitions and composes his own compositions. He has won several international awards to date. On top of that, the boy has perfect pitch—which is the rare ability of being able to identify a given musical note without the benefit of a reference tone.
Motherhood speaks to Jit San about his child’s amazing musical abilities and how he and his wife managed to hone their child’s talent into what it is today.
Please tell us all about yourself, your wife and your amazing son.
Lim Jit San: I am Jit San, 54 and a music instructor. My wife is Hui Huei and she is also teaching music. My son is Ethan Lim Fang Yue, who is turning 9 in July. He learns the violin under Nicholas Tan and is preparing for Violin Grade 5 this year. He is learning music in Yamaha under the Junior Special Advance Course where he does piano and the Electone (electronic organ).
His music journey has been rewarding. His composition, Bali Island was selected for the 50th Junior Original Concert Anniversary, in Japan.
Apart from that, he is a high scorer in his Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) violin examination. He takes part in classical piano competitions as well, and he has won Gold and Silver awards.
When did you start introducing him to music?
Lim Jit San: I started introducing music to Ethan from as soon as he was born. When he was 5 days old, I would rock, pat, and stroke him to sleep while I played the piano for him. I would play lullabies with one hand while cradling him in the crook of my arm as you will see in the four videos below. But Mummy was teaching and listening to loads of Mozart too while he was in the tummy. I would say Ethan was introduced to music even before he was born.
Father & Son’s Musical Moments Through the Years
Lulling Ethan to Sleep when he was 5 days old
Getting Hands-on in Music when Ethan was 7 months old
Ethan’s Musical Development when he was 4 years old
One Piano 4 Hands when he was 6 years old
As soon as he was ready, I would let him bounce, dance or jump to music.
I would let him play with woodblocks, tambourine, or any percussion. Or simply clap to music with a steady beat when I did my practices.
He loves Little Einstein and this is a good program because it introduces a lot of musical excerpts to the child. I noticed he was humming tunes of Thomas the Train, Chuggington (he loves trains) from a very young age.
Being a music teacher, how do you think music benefits the child?
Lim Jit San: Learning music has a lot of benefits. There have been many studies associated in this field which all agree helps in brain development and stimulates the brain cells. I find it does improve brain function such as motor, fine motor and coordination skills, cognitive ability and memory capability. Also, with music, it enhances imagination if exposed to a variety of music.
I have taught many students of all ages through the years, from little children at beginner’s level to teenagers completing their Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) examination which is the equivalent of the final year recital of an undergraduate degree. Then they leave to further their music education overseas and I am very happy to see them excel in their field today.
Practice always makes perfect whether it is to master the instrument, master a repertoire or improvise. Music learning builds discipline and one works their way through it diligently. This discipline will impact their way of life in other areas as well and vice versa, such as through habit forming.
How did you begin Ethan’s formal music education? How did you choose the instrument?
Ethan performing on the Electone at the International Highlight Concert organised by Yamaha
Lim Jit San: Ethan started formal music lessons with the Junior Music Course by Yamaha for children of 4 to 5 years of age and it is a two-year program. Then he proceeded to the JSAC (Junior Special Advance Course), a program for children with good hearing capability and musicality. There is a small select group of children in this programme.
He has performed his originals at the Junior Original Concert on the Electone and has been selected to perform on the International Concerts organised by Yamaha Music Corporation, Japan. He has also participated in classical music competitions as well on the violin and piano. Apart from this, he plays the ukulele and loves singing.
What is a child exposed to at his or her very first music classes?
“Here’s how it is like living with a kid who has perfect pitch. He can identify any pitch from elevator tones to even the aircon hum.” —Jit San
Lim Jit San: Today, with the advent of technology and social media, children are exposed to music very early on, right from the music box in the cot to many interactive children’s programs that have good music education incorporated within. I believe in the early stages, it is rhythmic sensing of pulse and beats and later they sense the pitch movement.
Tell us about your style of teaching? Do you encourage composing or improvising from young?
Lim Jit San: I would say there is no particular style of teaching but the very first mission of a music teacher is to cultivate interest and love for creating. Once this is achieved, we get to technique, rhythm and all the ingredients needed afterwards will come easily.
Music learning is different with every child; therefore, we need to adapt and work on their positive points. Some children might only read and play, some might play by ear and want to create. Some like Classical but some only grind through it half-heartedly. As music teachers, we try to find a balance.
On improvisation and composition—I expose students to improvisation and composing as well, instead of just following a music score blindly as this is to stimulate both sides of the brain. A music lesson isn’t complete when there are no subjects for them to create.
What are the genres that you teach? What’s the age range of your students?
Lim Jit San: I teach mainly classical and for those who are really interested, I also teach contemporary music, improvisation and jazz. My students are from age 6 to 99.
From time to time, I will have senior students (aged 70+) picking up music and it is always a joy to make music with them.
How often are students prepared for concerts and competitions?
Jit San accompanying Ethan for his school online performance last year
Lim Jit San: There are a variety of music competitions. My students normally Google for them themselves and then tell me about it and their interest to join. I do suggest some as well if they meet the technical demand and requirement.
I teach in Yamaha, and they have platforms for the children to play their compositions in the Junior Original Concert. Many of my students who partake in these activities are in the music industry today.
I find that if one is learning music, one should be exposed to recital and competition. From experience, children who take part in these activities usually scale great heights in their music education.
There are negatives of music competitions as well if they are not the favourable results that they expect. Hence, we must plant the seed of “as long as you have given your best”.
Going to a music competition is not solely about competing with others, but is also about bringing out the best in oneself.
How did the pandemic affect your teaching schedule? Was it easy to switch to online?
Lim Jit San: It did. I only did online classes with the teenaged students but not young children as it is not fully effective due to the transmission. But I upgraded my tech and tried later. I would demonstrate or play along with students a lot, but this is one part that only face-to-face lessons can maximise.
How did Ethan enter, choose and prepare for the London Young Musician 2022 competition?
Ethan performing for the London Young Musician Competition 2022
Lim Jit San: My wife enrolled him for the London Young Musician championships. He has a wide repertoire and chooses what he likes. He decided to play two instruments for the allocated 5-minute duration. He played Classical pieces for that.
As for composing, his latest composition is titled, Exotic Rainforest. He is trying to create his experience of visiting our rainforest hence he infused it with local flavour and rhythm. And with this music, he wore our national Baju Melayu to represent Malaysia.
Watch Ethan performing his own composition ─ Exotic Rainforest
Ethan attends classes and I teach him and his classmates. They are full of musical imagination. Hence there is a variety of musical styles. I try not to change anything but advice on musical elements to create or suggest ideas to explore. It is always an adventure to work on composition with every student and I have done over 200-plus. This is the best part of teaching music, in my opinion.
Where do you see Ethan going from here? Do you have plans for him? What’s your philosophy as a father?
Lim Jit San: He wants to be a dentist. But a part of him says he wants to teach music in his clinic too. I shall leave it to him. As long he puts in his best in what he does, let them find their passion and path for their future undertaking.
All Images and Videos Courtesy of Lim Jit San
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