LESSONS
WHEN TO START LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT?
The majority of students start music lessons between ages 7 and 9. These years coincide with their physical development and their classroom experiences. This is the best time to start. Physical motions required for playing the chosen instrument are best built into the nervous system while it is developing. However it is never too late if you want to learn an instrument and love music.
It is helpful if students receive some general musical instruction prior to piano lesson through early childhood music programs, church choir or school music classes.
THE INTERVIEW
Once you decided to take music lessons and contacted the teacher, you will be asked to come in for a half hour interview to asses your child’s learning abilities. It is free of charge and no obligation interview.
The interview serves two purposes. First, it informs the teacher about what the student knows and can or can not do. It provides important information about the learning abilities of the student and any past musical experiences. Second, it acquaints parents and students with the personality of the teacher, the teaching approach and the business policies. An interview does not obligate either party. The interview will provide the teacher with the following helpful information about the student:
- knowledge of basic concepts and skills needed to learn an instrument
- understanding of pitch
- rhythm readiness
- development of the hand
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
When the decision has been made to start lessons, parents will receive more information that includes guidelines about their role in piano learning. This role may include supervising practicing times at home which during the beginning stages of learning helps students to succeed faster. Parents who observe lessons can be effective home teachers, reinforcing what has been taught by a teacher.
Lesson duration: all lessons are one on one and 30 minutes long unless a student is preparing for the AMEB or HSC exams.
Minimum weekly piano/guitar lessons duration for AMEB exam students
| Preliminary – Grade 2 | 30 min |
| Grades 3 – 6 | 45 min |
| Grade 7 – 8 and above | 60 min |
Practice times
The teacher will advise of any additional practice required, but the estimated practice time a day is 10-15 minutes for beginners, 30-60 minutes for intermediate, and 1 hour or more for advanced students.
Parents may need to supervise the practice time of young beginner students
Learning materials, books, music sheets
All students will be required to purchase learning material, book, excersise books, etc. which will be available from the school. Any photocopies and additional materials will be supplied by the school at no extra costs.
A diary will be kept where the teachers will record each student’s progress as well as homework.
PARENTS ROLE
- PARENTS SHOULD OBSERVE LESSONS QUIETLY WITHOUT INTERRUPTING. (A STRONG POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP SHOULD DEVELOP BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS)
- PARENTS SHOULD NEVER INSTRUCT THE STUDENT DIFFERENTLY FROM THE TEACHER
- PARENTS SHOULD HELP THE STUDENT READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT
- PARENTS SHOULD SCHEDULE PRACTICE PERIODS
- PARENTS SHOULD CHECK IF THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE COMPLETED
AURAL (singing and listening) LESSONS
- Aural lessons are conducted in a group of up to 5 students according to age.
- The young beginners group consist of 6 and 7 year old. Lessons provide basic understanding of time, meter, rhythm, in music. Melodic dictations are introduced. This essential knowledge required to go to the next levels and to prepare for the examinations. Lessons are 30 minutes a week.
- The beginners group is 8 to 10 years old. Solid foundations of music theory and Aural are laid. Lessons are 30 minutes a week.
- The intermediate and advanced groups of 11 to 15 year old students. Lessons are 45 min a week.
- Classes are conducted across school terms.
- For enrollments please contact the school on 0499977882.