Contact - 07792 215788
Online Music Theory Classes
Discover Music Theory, Composers and the Stories Behind the Music
Music theory can sometimes feel like a collection of rules, symbols and terminology that you are expected to remember.
For me, music theory becomes much more interesting when you can actually hear it.
My online music theory classes combine music theory with the study of composers, musical periods and the history of classical music. We explore the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th-century periods, learning about the composers who shaped them and listening to the music they created.
As we listen, we bring the music theory we are learning into the discussion, allowing students to begin recognising musical ideas for themselves.
The aim is not simply to learn about music, but to learn how to listen to it.
Learning Music Theory Through Real Music
One of the things I particularly enjoy about these classes is seeing the moment when students begin to hear something they had not noticed before.
We might be listening to a piece of music and discussing a particular musical idea. I may ask the group what they can hear, whether they notice anything different, or what they think is happening in the music.
At first, students may not be sure.
But gradually, as their understanding develops, something begins to change.
They start to recognise the ideas we have been studying. They begin to hear patterns, structures and musical details that they might previously have overlooked.
And when a student suddenly realises that they can hear something they would not have noticed before, it can be a very exciting moment.
For me, this is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.
The more you understand about music, the more you begin to hear.
Music Theory, History and the Great Composers
Throughout the classes, we explore the development of classical music by working through different musical periods and learning about the composers who shaped them.
We explore the Baroque period and composers such as Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, before moving through the Classical period and the music of composers such as Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.
We then discover the expressive world of Romantic music and explore composers such as Schubert, Chopin, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, before moving into the diverse musical landscape of the 20th century.
The composers we study provide a way into understanding the wider musical world in which they lived.
We talk about the period in which they were working, listen to examples of their music and consider what makes their music distinctive.
Alongside this, we bring in the relevant music theory concepts that students are learning at the time.
This allows students to connect the knowledge they are developing with music they can actually hear.
Listening, Discussing and Discovering
These are interactive online classes.
Students are encouraged to listen carefully and to talk about what they hear. I want them to become curious about music and increasingly confident in expressing their own observations.
There is no single correct answer to every question about what we hear.
Sometimes a student notices something that another person has completely missed. Sometimes one observation leads to a discussion about another musical idea.
The group learns together by listening, asking questions and sharing their thoughts.
I particularly enjoy seeing students become more confident in talking about music as their knowledge grows.
Over time, they begin to listen more carefully and independently.
They start to hear things for themselves.
Understanding the Music You Play
Music theory and music history can be particularly valuable for instrumentalists.
When you understand more about the music you are playing, you can begin to make stronger connections between the notes on the page and the music itself.
Understanding the period in which a composer was working, the musical language they used and the structures behind their music can help you approach your own playing with greater understanding.
For violinists and other instrumentalists, this can support musical interpretation as well as technical development.
Rather than simply playing the notes, you can begin to ask yourself why the music sounds the way it does and how you might communicate it yourself.
Online Music Theory Classes for Students Who Want to Understand More
These classes may be suitable for students who are studying music theory alongside their instrumental lessons, preparing for ABRSM or Trinity examinations, or simply wanting to develop a deeper understanding of music.
They may also appeal to students who are curious about classical music and want to learn more about the composers, periods and musical ideas behind the works they hear.
My aim is to make music theory meaningful and connected to the music itself.
Rather than learning theory in isolation, we explore how musical ideas appear in real compositions and begin to recognise them through listening.
Sunday Evening Online Music Theory Classes
I currently run a small online group music theory class on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm UK time.
The classes take place online, allowing students to join from wherever they are based.
The group format creates an opportunity to learn alongside other students, listen together and share observations about the music we explore.
As the group develops, I hope to continue creating a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, discussing what they hear and becoming increasingly confident in their own musical understanding.
A Musical Journey Through the Centuries
One of the things I love about studying music history is discovering how music changes over time.
The Baroque period sounds different from the Classical period.
The Classical period develops into the expressive world of Romantic music.
The 20th century brings new ideas, new sounds and new approaches to composition.
By exploring these periods and listening to the music created within them, students begin to understand that music does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by the people who create it, the time in which they live and the world around them.
Studying music history can therefore change the way we listen.
A piece of music becomes more than a collection of notes. You begin to understand where it came from, why it sounds the way it does and what the composer may have been trying to express.
About Your Teacher
My approach to teaching is shaped by my own experience as a violinist and by my continued interest in music, musicians and the history of classical music.
I studied violin with French violinist and professor Fabienne Fauritte and have continued to develop my own musical knowledge through ongoing study and experience.
I believe that learning an instrument is about becoming a musician, not simply learning to play the correct notes.
For me, music theory and music history are an important part of that journey because they help us understand the music we hear and the music we play.
My aim is to encourage students to become curious, thoughtful and increasingly independent musicians who can listen to music with greater understanding and enjoyment. Read more here
Begin Your Online Music Theory Journey
Whether you are studying for a music theory examination, learning an instrument and wanting to understand more about the music you play, or simply curious to discover more about composers and classical music, I would be very happy to hear from you.
My online music theory classes are designed to help students explore music through theory, listening and discussion.
You may begin by learning a new piece of theory.
You may discover a composer you have never listened to before.
And perhaps, over time, you will find yourself listening to music in a completely different way.
Because once you begin to understand what you are hearing, you may start to hear things you never noticed before.
Online group classes currently take place on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm UK time.
If you would like to find out more about the classes or enquire about joining the group, please get in touch.
I also offer individual online violin lessons for adults across the UK and internationally. If you are interested in learning the violin, returning to the instrument after many years, or developing your playing further, you can find out more about my online adult violin lessons on my dedicated page.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Enquire About Online Music Theory Classes