General knowledge and discussion over what music is, its purpose, its function, its components, its styles, its meaning.
A set of techniques fundamental to master the instrument, and reach a level in which any piece of music can be easily learned, performed and/or composed. The techniques will increase in difficulty every 12 weeks.
An important skill for any musician is the ability to communicate the music, as well as being able to write and read it from a sheet paper. Therefore an in-depth Theoretical study through written music will be undertaken step by step alongside the technicalities of actual playing.
The essence of music is the music itself. It’s important to have a repertoire of songs and pieces of music under the belt, in order to perform shows or have a good time with our instruments.
A music course would not be complete without a section concerning our ears. It’s important to train ourselves to distinguish between sounds and patterns happening in music. This way we will not only be able to identify common characteristics anytime we listen to music but also to find those same patterns when we play and when we decide to be creative
Technical skills for the debut/level 1 entry
Fingerstyle technique
Fingers agility, independence, and coordination, muscle memory
The use of the plectrum and how to hold it. Strumming patterns for conventional songs.
Open string main chords (G Major, E major, E minor, A minor, A Major, D minor, D Major, C Major). Useful for 70 percent of pop music
Hammer-on and Pull-off techniques applied to open string chords. (Embellishments typically featured on songs)
Musical scales and melodies in different rhythms
Repertoire for the debut/level 1 entry
Up to 3 simple pieces of music, two of the teacher’s choices and one of the student’s. (the teacher could provide simplified versions of more advanced pieces if possible)
Modality of teaching:
The teacher will be sitting next to you for the full length of the session. A music stand will be in front of the two of you, in order to read the material content of the class. Both instructors and students will hold the instrument unless the lesson will require a more theoretical approach.
Students will be expected to revise the material of the lessons week by week, and in order to accomplish results and see real progress, they will have to commit to weekly practice, divided into small sessions of 10/15 minutes.
The connection between student and teacher will continue after the lesson through a WhatsApp group in which music and course material can be discussed anytime
Reading and Theoretical Skills at debut/level 1 entry
Reading different rhythms and understanding what a pulse and a beat is (Whole notes, Quarter Notes, Half Notes, Eight Notes)
Learning about 4/4 time signature and 3/4 time signature
Construction of chords and scales
Analysis of songs
Understanding of how different instruments are being used in the context of a song
Ensemble work, or the ability to play with other musicians.
