What Will I Learn?
Vocal Arts
At Edmonton Academy of Music we provide a vocal program for all levels from total beginners to advanced. We instruct students from school-aged (8 yr.), to teens and adults. We are committed to providing all the necessary skills to get the best out of the student’s voice and to assist the student in developing their own unique voice and style. Our voice students have various reasons for taking singing lessons: for fun, developing confidence, becoming a better performer and working on the Graded RCM program to name a few.
- Breathing Technique
- Vocal exercises to develop range and tone
- Vocal flexibility
- Pitch
- Harmony skills
- Microphone technique
- Singing in different styles
- Music theory
- Sight reading
- Rhythm
- Performance development
- Diction
- Relaxation and confidence building
- Audition Preparation
- Movement
- Choosing Repertoire
Guitar
Classical Guitar
Students can start from preparatory level to grade 10
Students will learn:
- proper sitting position
- proper left and right hand technique
- note reading
- scales and arpeggio patterns
- nail care
- historical background of pieces
- guitar care/maintenance
Learning will follow the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum
Masterclasses are available from grade 6 and higher, pending enrollment
Rock Guitar
Students will learn:
- the basics of Tablature and standard notation
- chords and how to play rhythm guitar
- improvising and lead guitar using different scales
- to play songs and solos by ear
Pop Guitar
Students will learn:
- to read chord charts and lead sheets
- common strumming and picking patterns
- how to make your own chord progressions and melodies
- to play songs and rhythm patterns by ear
Piano
Students can learn classical, pop, rock and jazz piano styles, as well as take exams with Royal Conservatory of Music and Conservatory Canada.
Beginners
- note reading, rhythm, playing with right and left hand
- ear training and some basic theory
- learning to play simple songs, adding chords to the songs at the latter part of the year.
Intermediate and Advanced
Students can prepare for Royal conservatory Exams or learn just for fun.
- scales
- intervals
- sight reading
- theory
- playing more complicated pieces, classical and modern styles
- chords
- how to play lead lines
- improvisation
Drums
Beginners
- drumming technique
- basic rhythm
- and drum-set playing
Lessons will combine music theory and modern musical examples in order to deliver a broad drum education.
Intermediate and Advanced
- specific drum-set styles
- orchestral and rudimentary snare drum technique
- drum analysis and transcription
- and much more
Bass
Beginning students will learn the basics of:
- Bass technique; using a pick, finger style
- Note reading in the Bass clef
- Accompaniment patterns to standard chords
- Playing styles like pop, rock, jazz, blues
Lessons will also incorporate current songs by student request or any songs the teacher feels will help the student.
Intermediate students will develop their skills from previous lessons and begin to choose one style or technique over others. Learning to play in an improvised setting will also be introduced.
Violin
Beginners
- care for the instrument
- proper playing position and finger placement
- basic musical notation (including notes and rhythm)
- introduction of basic bowing and beginning hand position
Intermediate and Advanced
- advanced hand positions
- development of ability to play in varied musical keys
- vibrato and shifting
- bowing techniques with more complicated rhythms
Flute
Beginners
- Proper care and maintenance of your instrument
- Proper breathing techniques
- Proper posture and playing positions
- Introductory theory, sight reading, ear training for the instrument
- Basic musical notation for the instrument (notes and fingerings)
Intermediate and Advanced
- Advanced musical notation (notes and fingerings in the extreme registers of the instrument)
- Advanced rhythm and theory
- Preparing repertoire of different styles (classical, popular, jazz, etc)
- Performance techniques as a soloist as well as in a group
- Playing in all musical keys
- Advanced exercises for developing tone
Please note students must be at least 10 years old to begin flute lessons unless permission is received from Edmonton Academy of Music.
Saxophone
Beginners
- Proper care and maintenance of your instrument
- Proper breathing techniques
- Proper posture and playing positions
- Introductory theory, sight reading, ear training for the instrument
- Basic musical notation for the instrument (notes and fingerings)
Intermediate and Advanced
- Advanced musical notation (notes and fingerings in the extreme registers of the instrument)
- Advanced rhythm and theory
- Preparing repertoire of different styles (classical, popular, jazz, etc)
- Performance techniques as a soloist as well as in a group
- Playing in all musical keys
- Advanced exercises for developing tone
Please note students must be at least 10 years old to begin saxophone lessons unless permission is received from Edmonton Academy of Music.
Ukulele
- How to hold, strum and pluck the ukulele
- Many chords and moveable chord shapes
- How to read notes on the Ukulele, using traditional and popular songs
Students will learn chords and notes through a variety of songs, through a method book or by student request.
You will also have the chance to work on a concert song to present at our bi-annual concerts.