A rather blunt Singaporean advertisement for violin lessons has gained traction on social media, as many seem to be both entertained and impressed by its “real” and “honest” approach to marketing a 20 years course.
IISS-Asia Exec Director, author, and columnist James Crabtree shared a rather impressionable advertisement he spotted in Singapore. The laminated pamphlet advertising a twenty-year violin course caught the attention of many online users because of its blunt, cut-throat, almost satirical tone.
“Master the violin in only twenty years,” the pamphlet read, in an attempt to catch the attention of people interested in becoming the next Ling Ling “in the unbelievably fast time of only two decades.”
The advertisement specified that with just five hours of practising every day, students would eventually be able to play faster than all their friends. “Let me show you how, all for the special price of hard work, tenacity, discipline, and humility,” it said, “Sign up today and become a violin master by 2042.”
Advert spotted for music tuition in Singapore earlier this evening. You can't accuse them of sugar coating it 🎻😫 pic.twitter.com/yXW6DB0azk
— james crabtree (@jamescrabtree) September 18, 2022
The post gained a lot of traction online, with many people praising the honest tone of the advertisement. “This is the best, most real, and honest advertisement I have ever seen,” wrote one, while another said, “Singapore keeping it real.”
On the other hand, others argued that practising for five hours a day is not enough to turn someone into the next violin prodigy like Ling Ling.
Photo: screengrab from Twitter comments / @jamescrabtree
