MUSIC CLASSES CANBERRA

Piano 101 (beginner, continuing and advanced levels) Piano 201 (standard and advanced levels) Music Reading & Theory (beginner and intermediate levels) Composition & Arranging World Music

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Individual class pages and the enrolment form indicate whether classes are accepting new students. Generally: Piano 101 (new) and Music Reading & Theory (beginner) usually commence in Term 1, however may also commence in subsequent terms if there are sufficient expressions of interest. In these cases, complete courses will cross over a calendar year. Piano 101 (advanced) and Music Reading & Theory (intermediate), Piano 201, Composition & Arranging and World Music welcome new students in any term throughout the year.

Classes normally run over a 9 or 10 week term, and include: (a) weekly one-hour face-to-face or virtual group lessons; and (b) continuous online access to course content. Both Piano 101 (beginner) and Music Reading & Theory (beginner) incorporate four successive terms, with each term building on content and skills learnt in the previous term. Piano 101 Advanced, Music Reading & Theory (intermediate), Piano 201, Composition & Arranging and World Music have no fixed completion timeframes with content and progress tailored to suit the class. Enrolment is on a per term basis.

Yes, however: If you want to enrol in Piano 101 (beginner) and Music Reading & Theory (beginner) you are strongly encouraged to plan participation over four successive terms because you will not get the full benefit of learning outcomes designed for your class in a single term. Please be aware that your choice to drop out after one term may impact the viability of the class for other students.

No. The content, materials and delivery of all classes are designed especially for adult students.

Go to the Timetable & Enrolment page. When the timetable has been released for the upcoming term, every class with availability will have an Enrol Now button. When you click the Enrol Now button for the class in which you want to enrol, it will take you to a fee payment page to complete your enrolment.

You'll first receive an enrolment confirmation email from us. We'll then email you with complete details to get started and attend your first class!

Face-to-face classes are held at Ainslie Arts Centre. Your classroom will be advised via email before the commencement of term. Please note, we're on Elouera Street, Braddon, not on Ainslie Avenue (where you'll find Gorman Arts Centre). The twin arts centres operate under the same banner and are only down the road from each other, but are separate venues and easy to get confused!

Standard enrolment covers both: Weekly group classes; and Access to progressive course material via an online forum. All essential material is detailed in the online forum, so if a class is missed in any week for any reason, students can keep up to date with everything. Likewise, the forum enables review and revision at any time.

Forums are online learning platforms where, along with accessing progressive course content and additional material, students can ask questions, discuss their own findings and collaborate with classmates. Content is updated regularly throughout the term and all enrolled students have continuous access for the duration of their enrolment.

Forums are accessed via the Student Portal (located in the footer of this website). All enrolled students will be provided with instructions and a password after payment of term fees.

Yes! You can enrol as on Online Forum Student Only.

Yes. Please see the Fee Policy for details.

You certainly can! Piano 101 and Music Reading & Theory are designed to feed into Piano 201 and Composition & Arranging respectively. Piano 201, Composition & Arranging and World Music are designed for ongoing progression.

No need! Piano 101 classes are mostly conducted around a single piano for instruction, demonstration, participation and discussion. There are also a number of keyboards for practice within class time, for 1 to 2 students per keyboard.

We often have students commence Piano 101 as absolute beginners without having their own instrument, and because the classes focus heavily on observation, discussion and in-class participation, this can work up to a point. Most students, however, do find they want to start applying their understanding to practice within a few weeks from starting and, importantly, technique only develops with practice. As such, we encourage that students plan to purchase their own instrument within the first few weeks.

An entry-level keyboard that we recommend is the Yamaha P145. If you're after a cheaper option, the Yamaha Piaggero NP series are solid keyboards. These don't have 88 or weighted keys, so they're not full size and you don't get the piano 'feel', but they are absolutely fine for learning your way around a keyboard. We actually use Yamaha Piaggeros in class for practice. DW Music and Better Music are both excellent musical instrument stores in Canberra.

Piano 101 (new) is always offered in Term 1, however new classes for beginners are offered in subsequent terms if there are sufficient expressions of interest. Piano 101 (continuing) is for students progressing from the previous term, however can also be the right fit for new students already familiar with the basics introduced in Piano 101 (new), and may be offered in any term. Please check Piano 101 (under What students can expect) for suitability. Piano 101 (advanced) welcomes new students in any term throughout the year.

For students who have some background knowledge, the decision about which class to join can be quite personal. We've had some students who've completed Grade 8 AMEB choosing to start Piano 101 at the beginning to refresh themselves; we've also had students who've learnt a few things on YouTube and feel ready to challenge themselves with Piano 101 Advanced. Piano 101 starts from scratch and includes: notation in treble and bass staves; recognising intervals; melodies, harmonies & bass lines; major, minor & extended chords; major, minor & blues scales; time signatures, simple and compound note values, basic rhythms; reading and playing from conventional scores as well as lead sheets; and introductory improvisation. Piano 101 Continuing consolidates and expands on the material introduced in Piano 101 and adds: diminished & augmented chords; chord inversions; more reading and playing from conventional notation as well as lead sheets; and extended improvisation. Piano 101 Advanced focuses on developing reading and playing skills and includes: lots of short, stylistically varied pieces, to explore a wide range of musical ideas, theory and different techniques. All pieces are offered at a range of levels - advancing beginner (G1) to intermediate (G5) - to suit student readiness. Piano 201 is a step above Piano 101 Advanced, and is for students who are ready to push their reading and understanding a bit further with pieces that may be a little longer and more technical than for Piano 101 Advanced. All pieces are still offered at a range of levels - advancing beginner (G1) to intermediate (G5) - to suit individual student readiness. Course material for all classes is designed for enjoyment & self-directed goals, for a range of backgrounds and abilities (rather than a rigid level-based structure). Students are always welcome to switch to a different class if the fit isn't quite right.

Classes run as workshops, with a mix of demonstration, instruction, playing, theory, discussion, and a lot of scope for student enquiry and collaboration. Face-to-face classes are performed around one piano with individual keyboards per student for ensemble exercises and solo practice; for virtual classes, students can participate from their own instrument. All progressive material is provided in an online forum that includes explanations, theory, sheet music, learning tips, practice guides and video instruction. Class material is structured around specific learning areas - both theoretical and practical - with a lot of scope for student enquiry and collaboration. Because group classes are shared experiences, students' learning is enhanced by connecting with other students and we typically see an exciting level of progress and engagement in the group environment.

Generally 6-10.

Standard enrolment covers both: Weekly group classes; and Access to progressive course material via an online forum. All essential material is detailed in the online forum, so if a class is missed in any week for any reason, students can keep up to date with everything. Likewise, the forum enables review and revision at any time.

No. We are passionate advocates of group classes. Although we've offered individual piano lessons in the past, in our experience teaching adults, we've seen students learn quicker and gain stronger and more active understanding from group classes. We love the class setting, typically see an exciting level of progress and engagement from students doing classes, are encouraged by the support networks and friendships formed amongst students, and highly recommend them!

No.

No. The format and course materials of all classes are designed especially for adult students.