Learn the Pipa — 2,000 Years of Musical Mastery, One Step at a Time

The Pipa is one of the most demanding — and most rewarding — instruments in Chinese music. Its expressive range, from gentle plucks to thundering tremolo, is unlike anything else.

We teach it patiently, in small steps. Students build real skill without burning out — and they start making real music from the very first lesson.

With a history spanning over 2,000 years, the Pipa is one of China's most iconic instruments. It can sound delicate and lyrical one moment, powerful and percussive the next.

It's a challenging instrument to learn well — which is exactly why having the right teacher matters so much. Ours are patient, specific, and highly experienced.


✓ Trusted since 1978 ✓ 3 specialist Pipa teachers ✓ Flexible scheduling ✓ Studio or home lessons

 

Friendly Pipa Lessons

Your gateway to unlocking its mesmerising melodies!

 

 

 

 

Iconic 2000-year-old instrument

Known for its pear-shaped body and expressive tone, Pipa (琵琶) is a four-string Chinese lute with a history of over 2,000 years. 

Learn with the guidance of our expert instructors.

Learning the Pipa can be challenging, especially when navigating it on your own.

How We Teach

Technique

You'll never have to undo bad technique. Finger control and nail positioning on the Pipa take time to build correctly — we never rush this. Students who build their foundations properly here will find everything else comes much more easily later.

Understanding

You'll play with intention, not just accuracy. We explain the historical context and musical structure of each piece — so students understand what they're expressing, not just which notes come next.

Enjoyment

Even early lessons end with something musical. Progress feels real and tangible, not abstract. Students always leave having played a real phrase — not just exercises — which keeps motivation high week after week.

Reasons To Learn The Pipa

Pipa Lessons
Elegant and tuneful
Get to play different genres of music repertoire
Pipa Lessons
Complex plucking instrument
Get all ten fingers working!
Pipa Lessons
Unique sound effect
Mimic different instruments at your fingertips
Pipa Lessons
Low maintenance instrument
Simple four string instrument to be tuned!
Pipa Lessons
Charismatic Instrument
Mesmerise others with this iconic instrument
Pipa Lessons
Versatile Musician
Once mastering the Pipa, you'd be able to pick up most plucked string instruments!

Choose How You'd Like to Begin

We don't believe in locking you into anything before you're ready. Start with a single trial — and if you love it, your $50 trial fee is credited towards your first package.

Trial Lesson

TRIAL LESSON — $50

45-minute private 1-on-1 session

  • Meet your teacher before committing
  • Leave knowing if the Pipa is right for you
  • Trial fee credited if you enrol in a package

• No instrument needed — we provide one





Reserve My Trial Slot

4-Lesson Package

4-LESSON STARTER PACK — $218

⭐ Most students choose this to start

  • Designed for complete beginners — zero experience needed
  • Covers: nail technique, basic plucking, hand coordination, your first piece
  • No instrument needed — we guide you on what to buy after you've tried
  • Flexible scheduling around your timetable

• No long-term contract

Get the 4-Lesson Pack

Weekly Lessons

WEEKLY ONGOING LESSONS — from $60–$90/lesson

For students ready to progress seriously.

  • Custom lesson plan built around your goal: leisure / TENG exams / NAFA exams / DSA
  • Make-up lessons available

• Monthly billing — no lock-in contracts





Talk to Us About Weekly Lessons

Others

We also offer customised lessons such as Singapore DSA preparations, grading exam preparations, competition preparations and many more!












Ask About Custom Lessons

All rates quoted are per lesson. Package pricing available. Students receive instrument discounts at Eason Music Store.

Your Trial Lesson is Risk-Free

If you come for your trial and decide the Pipa isn't for you — no hard feelings, no follow-up calls, no pressure. We'd rather you find the right instrument than push you into the wrong one.

And if you love it? Your $50 trial fee is credited towards your first package. Either way, you leave knowing exactly where you stand.

Dizi Lessons at Eason Are Right For You If…

✓You're drawn to the Pipa's unique, powerful sound and want to learn it properly
✓ Your child is joining a school Chinese Orchestra or preparing for DSA
✓ You're serious about progressing to grading examinations (TENG / NAFA)
✓ You tried learning on YouTube but found the technique too complex without guidance
✓ You want an instrument that challenges you and rewards your effort over time
✓ You're an adult learner who wants a structured, goal-oriented practice

This probably isn't for you if…
✗ You want a quick, casual pickup instrument — the Pipa requires real commitment
✗ You're looking for sheet music only, with no technical instruction

Why Eason Music

Fair & friendly payments
Pay monthly. Make-up lessons available if you give us notice. No lock-in contracts.
Trusted since 1978
Singapore's longest-running Chinese music school — over 45 years of teaching.
Access to instruments
Students get instrument discounts at Eason Music Store — the same team, right here.
Studio or home lessons
Learn at our CT Hub studio or at home — you choose what fits your life.
Flexible scheduling
Weekday and weekend slots available. Reschedule with notice, no penalty.
Our teachers
All Pipa teachers are practising musicians — not just instructors. They still perform.

Craft Your Journey

Pipa Lessons
Leisure
When you learn for leisure, you can have a stress free learning experience by choosing the types of songs that you want to learn. You pick up the basics of the instrument through learning your choice songs.
Pipa Lessons
Music Grading Examinations
When you learn for exams, you have a choice of either following the examination syllabus of Teng-CI-NTU Chinese instrumental examination or NAFA Chinese instrumental examination. Instructors will formulate lesson plans based on either syllabus.
TENG Syllabus
Beginner

Grade 1:
Jinkli Nona
卖报歌 Song of the Newsboy
男儿当自强 Man of Determination
一只小花狗 Little Spotted Puppy

Grade 2:
天 Sky
掀起你的盖头来 Lift Your Veil
紫竹调 Purple Bamboo Melody
西藏舞曲 Tibetan Dance

Grade 3:
天 Sky
旱天雷 Thunder In Drought
达坂城的姑娘 The Girl From Dabancheng
金蛇狂舞 Dance Of The Golden Snake

Intermediate

Grade 4:
欢乐的日子 Happy Days
迎春舞曲 Spring Dance
三六 Triple Falling Plum Blossoms
阳春白雪 White Snow In Bright Spring

Grade 5:
故乡的太阳 Sun Of Hometown
送我一枝玫瑰花 A Rose For Me
赶花会 Flower Festival
飞花点翠 Flowers Falling In The Green

Grade 6:
高山流水 Lofty Mountain And Flowing Water
彝族舞曲 Dance Of The Yi Tribe
天山之春 Spring Of Tian Mountain
寒鸦戏水 The Jackdaw Playing With Water

Advanced

Grade 7:
中华六板 Moderately Ornamented Six Beats
新翻羽调绿腰 Palatial Dancers In Jade Robes
火把节之夜 The Night Of The Torch Festival
伊犁的早霞 The Morning Of Yili

Grade 8:
龙船 Dragon Boat
春雨 Spring Rain
诉 - 读唐诗《琵琶行》有感 Tang Poetry 'Pipa Xing'
虚籁 Sound Of Emptiness

NAFA Syllabus
Beginner

Grade 1:
工农一家人 （片断）
孟姜女
银绞丝
小十面
老六板（加花）
扛起我们的枪

Grade 2:
旱天雷
茉莉花
老花六板
小月儿高
紫竹调
三六

Grade 3:
小猫钓鱼
迎春舞曲
马兰花开
绣罗裙
拉路驼
一枝梅

Intermediate

Grade 4:
大浪淘沙
欢乐的日子
飞花点翠
送我一枝玫瑰花
彩云追月

Grade 5:
彝族舞曲
昭君出塞
天山之春
赶花会
寒鸦戏水

Grade 6:
唱支山歌给党听
高山流水
歌舞引
火把节之夜

Advanced

Grade 7:
虚籁
远方的客人请你留下
江南三月
新翻羽调绿腰

Grade 8:
渭水情
春雨
霸王卸甲
塞上曲
思春

Grade 9:
草原小姐妹
诉 - 读唐诗《琵琶行》有感
龙船
十面埋伏

Performance Diploma:
狼牙山五壮士
陈隋
海青拿天鹅

Meet Our Teachers

At Eason Music, we understand your musical journey,
and that's why we've gathered a team of seasoned Pipa instructors dedicated to lighting your path.
Cedric Chin

Cedric Chin started learning Pipa at the age of 10. In 1992, he participated in the Inaugural Chinese Music Competition and won the 1st Prize for the Intermediate Category. The following year, he clinched the 1st Prize again in the Intermediate Category of the National Music Competition Organised by National Arts Council.

Read more
Wang Siyuan

Wang Siyuan was accepted into the Central Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School in 2008, where she studied under the tutelage of Professor Fan Wei. After her graduation, she moved to Singapore to continue her musical journey in the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in 2015, where she studied under SCO Pipa Principal Yu Jia.

Read more
Ng Bi Yu

Ng Bi Yu's journey with the pipa began at the tender age of seven under the mentorship of Mdm Liu Yan at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, The School of Young Talents. Her dedication and passion for music led her to achieve diplomas from both the Central Conservatory of Music and the NUS Centre For the Arts in 2009.

Read more

What Our Students Say

  • "2 years in — clear teaching, real improvement, and I actually look forward to lessons"
    I have been learning the Pipa with Cedric for 2 years now. His lesson delivery is clear, and I can understand well when he tries to explain certian techniques and fix my mistakes. They have definitely helped me improve my skills/techniques. Lessons does not always have to be all serious as well. Cedric is a fun instructor, and I enjoy my lessons with him. It makes me look forward to the upcoming lessons every week. Eason Music School has great flexibility. In any case I have a major acadamic exam coming up, I can reschedule my lessons to a later date to focus a few weeks to study.

    C. Lee

    Singapore

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Book a Trial

Not sure if the instrument is for you?

Have a trial lesson with us to find out more about our instruments and get to know your teacher.

Claim Your $50 Trial — No Commitment

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Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a Pipa?
The Pipa is a Chinese instrument, originated back as early as the Han Dynasty. It is a 4 stringed lute, and the modern Pipa has about 12 to 30 frets, depending on the size of the Pipa. It is tuned to A, D, E, A, with the lower A and higher A being one octave apart. It is played with fake nails affixed onto one’s natural nails, and it produces a clean and clear sound when played.
2How is the Pipa played?
Fake nails are used to play the Pipa. It would provide a consistency of sound produce on the Pipa. Different material of the fake nails can also contribute to various tone colours of the Pipa. The fake nails are taped above our natural nails, and it acts as an extension of our nails. Special breathable medicated graded tape is used to prevent any allergies or rashes forming. Fun fact! It would be ideal to keep your nails short for both hands. This is to prevent the strings to get in the way when you are practicing the various techniques.
3Is the Pipa difficult to learn?
Pipa is one of the harder instruments to pick up in the world of Chinese instruments. This is due to the coordination that both hands would require. There are also many techniques involved with the right and left hand, such as tremolo, plucking, strumming and so on. But with years of effort and practice, one can definitely learn and master the Pipa.
4How much does a Pipa cost？
The price of the Pipa ranges from $450 to $3300. The wood used in the making of the Pipa is one large factor that contributes to the price difference of Pipa. Not only that, the maker of the Pipa is also one of the factors as a experienced and skilled maker can produce Pipa that are better tailored to Pipa players. Click here to browse our Pipa collection.
5What is the age to learn the Pipa?
There is no specific age limit to when you could start learning the Pipa. Students can start as young as 6 years old. If you are unsure whether you would be comfortable with the instrument, we would recommend going through a trial session first. During the 45 minutes session, you would be able to try out the instrument and have a better understanding of lessons. The Pipa would be provided during trial.
6How does a Pipa sound?
The Pipa has a crisp and clear sound, like sounds of water droplets. It is similar to the Guzheng or Liuqin, which is also in the plucked string family.
7Can Pipa play modern pieces?
Other than the well known 'Ambush from Ten Sides' (十面埋伏), the Pipa is definitely capable of playing various genres of music. From western classic Czárdás, Flight of bumble bees to modern Douyin (抖音) tunes. With a wide range of approximately 3 octaves, the Pipa can produce bass mellow tones to bright crisp tones that can be found in various melodies.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PIPA