Common Challenges With Music Theory

  • Complexity of Musical Notation

    Many students find the language of music to be difficult to understand. This includes deciphering the staff, notes, clefs, key signatures, and time signatures. We approach this challenge by first ensuring a solid understanding of the basics.

  • Key Signatures and Scales

    The plethora of key signatures and scales, including major, minor, chromatic, and modal, can be quite daunting. We simplify these concepts, providing clear explanations, step-by-step guidance, and ample practice opportunities.

  • Harmonic Analysis

    Analyzing the harmony of a piece of music, understanding chord progressions, and recognizing common patterns can be challenging for many students. We provide practical exercises analyzing pieces from various genres.

  • Ear Training

    Developing the ability to recognize intervals, chords, rhythms, and melodies just by hearing them is often a struggle for students. Through our interactive ear training sessions, we help students gradually develop this crucial skill.

  • Sight Reading

    The ability to read and play music at sight is another area where students frequently experience difficulties. We incorporate regular sight-reading exercises into our tutoring sessions, gradually increasing complexity as the student's skills improve.

  • Composing and Arranging Music

    Many students feel overwhelmed when asked to compose or arrange their own music. We encourage creativity by guiding students through the composition process, from brainstorming melodies, to structuring their piece and notating it.

Ways We Tutor Music Theory

  • Integrative Learning

    We often start lessons by playing or listening to a piece of music and then breaking down its elements. This helps students directly correlate the theoretical concepts with practical examples.

  • Conceptual Mapping

    Music Theory involves understanding how different elements relate to each other. We use conceptual maps to illustrate the relationship between scales, keys, and chords, making these complex concepts more understandable.

  • Active Ear Training

    We employ specialized ear-training software that plays intervals, chords, and melodic phrases for students to identify. This not only improves their aural skills but also strengthens their understanding of these theoretical concepts.

  • Composition Exercises

    To bring theory into practice, we guide students in composing their own simple pieces. This encourages them to apply what they've learned about melody, harmony, and rhythm.

  • Analogies and Mnemonics

    To aid memorization and understanding of complex concepts, we use mnemonics and analogies. For example, we might compare a piece's structure to a sandwich, or use the mnemonic "Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit" to remember the notes on the lines of the treble clef.

  • Rhythm Clapping

    To improve students' understanding of rhythm and pitch, we employ exercises like sight-singing and rhythm clapping. This helps them gain practical experience with these essential elements of music.

Our Music Theory Tutor Qualifications

  • Advanced Arts Degrees

    Our Arts tutors are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the subject, backed by strong academic credentials. With degrees in arts or related disciplines, they bring a deep understanding of arts concepts to the table.

  • Experience Teaching Arts

    Our tutors are skilled educators who have honed their teaching methods through experience and training. They employ a variety of effective instructional strategies, adapting their approach to suit individual learning styles.

  • Friendly Personality

    Our tutors embody warmth and approachability. They foster an engaging learning environment, facilitating open communication and making students feel comfortable asking questions or expressing concerns.

Example Music Theory Tutoring Packages

We offer diverse and flexible options, catering to your child's unique needs and your family's schedule. Choose from ad-hoc sessions for immediate needs, to long-term plans for ongoing support.

Our most common tutoring plans:

  • Semester Support

    This package offers regular tutoring sessions for an entire academic semester, ensuring consistent support for the student. The frequency could be 1-3 times per week depending on the need.

  • Monthly Intensive

    This offers more frequent sessions over a one-month period. This could be suitable for a student who needs to catch up quickly or prepare for an important exam.

  • Ad-hoc Sessions

    For students who require tutoring on a more sporadic or as-needed basis.