Music Fundamentals I & II
Online Introductions
to Music Theory
Next course starts 15 April 2024.
‘I would absolutely recommend the Music Fundamentals course to anyone who is interested in beginning on the road to understanding written music.’
– J.M. Burr
‘Excellent course. The teacher makes what some would consider a dry subject both interesting and engaging. And being able to read music has opened up a whole new world for me!’
– A. Cassidy
Course Description
Learning to read music, a vital first step in any musical education, needn’t be intimidating. In just a few weeks, Waltons New School of Music’s Music Fundamentals I and II courses together introduce all the essentials of reading and writing musical notation, as well as elementary musical grammar, to music-reading beginners and improvers. Participants learn about: treble and bass clefs, note values, time and key signatures, scale construction and frequently used terms and signs. While a lot of ground is covered each week and homework given, the courses are both enjoyable and student friendly. Music Fundamentals I and II are recommended as supplemental courses for anyone beginning an instrument at the New School – whether classical, traditional, jazz or popular – as well as for students who are already singing or playing an instrument but haven’t learned to read music, or who need a refresher course.
These online courses, which have taught hundreds of people the essentials of reading and writing music, can be taken by participants living anywhere in Ireland or around the world.
No previous musical experience or ability to read music is required for Music Fundamentals I. Students with basic knowledge of music theory who are interested in joining Music Fundamentals II should self-assess their theory level with the Associated Board’s Music Theory in Practice Grade 1 workbook before enrolling.
Music Fundamentals I covers all aspects of Associated Board Grade 1 theory, and Music Fundamentals II covers all aspects of AB Grade 2 theory. Students wishing to do so may be entered for the Grade 1 or Grade 2 theory exam after one or both courses.
Students concurrently enrolled for other lessons or courses with the New School receive a 20% discount off the fee for Music Fundamentals.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Requirements
Participants in this online course should purchase the following materials (available from Waltons Music or most good music shops) before the first class:
- The AB Guide to Music Theory, Part 1
- ABRSM Music Theory in Practice, Grade 1 (for Music Fundamentals I) or
- ABRSM Music Theory in Practice, Grade 2 (for Music Fundamentals II)
- A spiral-bound A4 music manuscript book
They will also need:
- An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Headphones or earbuds, if possible.
- Free Zoom software or app.*
* If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join the first class.
Music Fundamentals I and II are two of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private music theory lessons for students at all levels. See Theory • Musicianship • Songwriting Tuition for more information.
Lenka Dobai
Hailing from Slovakia, Lenka started music at an early age, singing from the age of three and playing piano from the age of five. She studied classical music, piano, spinet, choral singing and Gregorian singing and practice as an undergraduate at Kosice State Conservatory and than earned a Masters in Musicology from Comenius University in Bratislava. (Her thesis was on the music and sound of Frank Zappa.) During her studies she began teaching piano and voice, and she continued her teaching practice when she moved to Dublin. (She has since returned to Slovakia and continues to teach online from there.) With the New School, she has taught a wide range of students of all ages and skill levels, and several of them have won prizes in our annual Scholarship Competition. Lenka is also a member of the renowned vocal ensemble Silver Kites, which focuses on new and experimental music. Their aim is to perform an exciting and diverse range of vocal and interdisciplinary work and to take choral music to places it simply hasn’t gone before. Lenka also teaches piano, voice and our Sight Singing Made Easy course. She has taught with the New School since 2012.
Amy Morrison
Amy studied in Trinity College Dublin (where she received both a BA in Music and a Professional Diploma in Education), the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary (where she received an advanced diploma), and most recently in Dublin City University (where she completed a Masters in Choral Studies, graduating with First Class Honours). As a teacher, Amy has worked extensively in secondary school, music school, and workshop settings with students of all ages, teaching Junior Cert. Music, Leaving Cert. Music, theory, musicianship, piano and voice. She is also very involved with the Post-Primary Music Teachers Association, where she has been a member of the Conference Team at their annual conferences, and from 2018 to 2020 she served as Vice-Chairperson of the Association. Amy is the current Chairperson of Kodály Ireland, having been heavily involved as a member of the organisation’s committee since 2018. She is continuing her studies by completing the International Kodály Certificate with the Kodály Institute, alongside certificate courses with the British Kodály Academy and the National Youth Choir of Scotland. Amy also teaches our Leaving Cert. Music and Sight Singing Made Easy courses.
Reviews • Testimonials
‘The instructor is extremely knowledgeable but also patient and approachable. Highly recommended.’
– P. Bradley
‘A truly excellent online course. The teacher is really engaging and not only makes the essentials of music reading (and writing) easy to understand but makes the whole learning process fun as well. I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in learning to read music who doesn’t know where to start. You won’t regret it!’
– S. Clarke
‘This course is perfect for anyone with an interest in music. It starts with the very basics of theory and the information is made easy to understand. There is a good atmosphere in the class, being with people who share your passion for music.’
– I. Colgan
‘I liked the personal approach, ensuring you enjoy the subject. You also get to meet other students, and it’s a side comfort to know they are travelling the same, sometimes difficult, road as you. Friendships can be formed too.’
– P. Kelly
‘Having played by ear for years, I was surprised at how easy it was, with a good teacher, to get to grips with reading music.’
– S. Manning
Have you taken – or are you taking – this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
2023-2024 Third Term
Course Schedules
Music Fundamentals I
9 weeks, 15 April – 24 June 2024
(No classes on 6 May & 3 June – Bank Holidays)
Mondays 6 – 7 pm
Teacher: Lenka Dobai
Course Type: Online
Music Fundamentals II
Not offered in our Third Term.
Tuition Fees
Full Fee: €150
Discounted Fee: €120 *
* Students concurrently enrolled for other other lessons or courses with the New School receive a 20% discount off the tuition fee for these courses.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the tuition fee. Places are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Purchasing a Music Fundamentals course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the courses?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
‘There are only twelve tones and they need to be treated carefully.’
– Paul Hindemith