Instrumental Classes

Class and Individual Tuition
We offer tuition in the following instruments: violin, viola, guitar, bass guitar, cello, flute, clarinet, trumpet, keyboard, drums, saxophone, oboe, ukulele, recorder, and singing. Classes are normally 30 minutes in duration.

Courses: (click on link to go to the course)

Cello
Clarinet
Flute
Guitar: Finger Style/Classical Guitar
Guitar: Rock (plectrum style)
Drums
Keyboard
Oboe
Recorder
Saxophone
Singing
Trumpet
Ukulele
Violin & Viola

 

Cello Commencing age: 6 years Day: Thursday Tutors: Naomi Harmer, MusB(Hons); Joanna Park; Keeneth Love

A bass string instrument with a strong, resonant character. It provides the foundation for the string section of the orchestra as well as various chamber ensembles. With a range of over 4½ octaves it makes a magnificent solo instrument as well.

Clarinet Commencing age: 9 years Day: Wednesday Tutor: Jonathan Prior, LTCL, AIRMT

The most colourful member of the woodwind family, with a broad range in pitch, dynamics and sonority. The clarinet is adapted to a wide range of styles, and its technique can also be applied to the saxophone.

Flute Commencing age: 8 years Day: Thursday Tutor: Susan Gill, BA, MusB(Hons), AIRMT

One of the most popular woodwind instruments with a wide repertoire stretching from the Baroque to the present day. The flute is also versatile, being used widely in classical, folk, jazz and rock.

Guitar: Finger Style/Classical Commencing age: 7 years Day: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday Tutor: David Smith, BA, AMusTCL; Alan Dixon, LLCM(TD)

This course covers all the basic techniques required for playing both classical and popular finger guitar styles, using a mixture of classical and popular tunes. The techniques learned can also be applied to the popular plectrum style of guitar and bass guitar. The course requires a nylon-strung guitar.

Guitar: Rock (plectrum style) Commencing age: 10 years Day: Tuesday Tutor: Jeremy Brownbrooke, DipTchg

The essential instrument for playing most rock music, the electric guitar is used as both a rhythm (mainly chords) and lead instrument (think guitar solos). Both of these fundamental playing styles will be covered in the course.

Drums Commencing age: 9 years Day: Tuesday Tutor: Douglas Brush, BA

The drums form the foundation of many styles of popular music. This course follows the ‘Drumsense’ programme, where students begin by playing basic rock beats and fills using correct stick technique. Opportunities to play percussion in groups as well as entering Rockschool exams are provided.

Keyboard Commencing age: 5 years Day: Monday Tutor: Fiona McMurdo, BMus, AdvCertRSM

Students are taught in classes of six using the Academy’s keyboard laboratory. The classes are for adults or children and can be used as a preliminary to learning an orchestral instrument, as a means for acquiring keyboard skills, or to develop good overall musicianship.

Oboe Commencing age: 9 years Day: Thursday Tutor: Sarah Roberts, LLB(Hons), GradDipTchg

The oboe is a woodwind instrument that is blown through a double reed. With a compass similar to that of the fl ute and clarinet, it is a standard orchestral instrument, as well as being used for chamber music and in military bands.

Recorder Commencing age: 6 years Day: Thursday Tutor: Sarah Roberts, LLB(Hons), GradDipTchg

The recorder is known to have existed since as early as the 12th century, and by the Renaissance period it was available in several sizes, with recorder consorts a common feature of musical life. In modern times the instrument has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity.

 

Saxophone Commencing age: 10 years Day: Wednesday Tutor: Jonathan Prior, LTCL, AIRMT

This instrument needs no introduction. While most often heard in jazz, rock and pop music, the saxophone instrument is also used increasingly in classical music.

Singing Commencing age: 7 years Day: Wednesday Tutor: Sarah Stanley, BPA

In this course students choose a combination of musical theatre, jazz, rock-and-roll and modern contemporary music. The emphasis is on vocal technique, rhythm and performance. As well as group singing, students will be encouraged to perform solo.

Trumpet Commencing age: 10 years Day: To be advised Tutor: To be appointed

The trumpet is an instrument of power and brilliance, but also one of great subtlety. Equally at home in jazz, classical, and some forms of pop.

 

Ukulele Commencing age: 6 years Day: Wednesday Tutor: Alan Dixon, LLCM(TD)

Of Portuguese origin, this four-stringed guitar-like instrument was patented in Hawaii in 1917. Its popularity spread, and today it is enjoyed worldwide.

 

Violin & Viola Commencing age: 5 years Day: Tuesday/Thursday Tutor: Ian Bolton, DipMus (Canberra)

The violin is the glamorous member of the string family, offering a huge variety of music-making opportunities. In great demand as an orchestral, chamber and solo instrument, as is the viola, which is lower in pitch.

 

 

 

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