Understanding Music Theory and Harmony for Composition

From 57 C$ /h

Are you an aspiring musician, writer or composer?

If you feel that there are certain concepts in Music Theory that you're unsure of, then this is the course for you.

An understanding to fundamental Music Theory is essential to developing as a musician, however it is often an area over looked and perceived to be daunting by many student.

You may not know anything! or you may be looking for ways to improve your writing? Modes? Understanding Chord Progressions?
Whatever your previous knowledge base I can help you to understand theory concepts from foundation to an advanced level and help you to apply them.

Classes will cover subjects such as Intervals, Chord structures, Scales, Harmonic Development, Chord Progressions, Modal writing, Secondary Dominants, Mediant Modulation and more.

Extra information

Due to current COVID 19 restrictions, only Web based video calls are available.

Location

Online from Germany

About Me

I am a multi- instrumentalist musician who has studied, learned and loved music for nearly 20 years.

I have recently moved to Berlin to focus on my own music composition and return to teaching after working within the busy Film & TV industry in London.

I studied Professional Musicianship at the British Institute of Modern Music in Brighton, UK before spending years performing and recording with various musical artists and bands.

From my experience in the UK's busy live performing circuits, I developed a strong understanding of the skill set required to be a working musician.

Now I offer friendly and well structured personal lessons designed to help YOU improve your playing, regardless of wether its just hobby or something you wish to pursue professionally.

Education

I have a BA(Hons) degree in Professional Musicianship from the British Institute of Modern Music where my main focus was on the Guitar. Since then I have continued my own personal development by studying Orchestration and arrangement.

Experience / Qualifications

Along side my Academic qualifications I have extensive live performance and industry experience, as part of contemporary Indie Guitar bands and Americana Folk style bands.

Before moving to Berlin I was Guitar tutor for the London Guitar Academy and now I am currently involved with the BIMM Berlin music institute.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Music theory lessons

Music theory

Music composition

Reviews

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Learn Guitar & Musical Development in Berlin (Tempelhof)

57 C$ /h

Have you ever wanted to Learn Guitar?
Interested in learning more about how you can write music?
Maybe you already play an instrument, but want to Improve your understanding of Music Theory?

Whether you are completely new to music or have been playing for a few years I can help guide you to improve, with structured lessons built around your individual interests.

I’m Joseph, an English-speaking Multi-Instrumentalist from Brighton, UK who has been lucky enough to have been playing music for nearly 20 years.
Primarily as a guitarist, I have spent years writing, recording, and performing music with various bands at venues ranging from International music festivals to coffee shops!
Having studied Professional Musicianship at the British Institute of Modern Music, my understanding of music is both professional and practical, and this is the approach I take when teaching.
Previously I have taught at the London Guitar Academy and I am now involved with BIMM Berlin.

Music should always be enjoyable and fun, so if you just want to work on a few songs to strum out at a BBQ then we can work through them!

Lessons are built around students' needs, creating realistic and rewarding goals to measure progress regardless of where you want to end up.

Maybe you want to work on your technique? Rhythm playing? Learn to write songs? Improvisation?

I also offer dedicated music theory classes and Lessons via Skype/Zoom if required

Lou-Indigo

4.88

(88)

The course that I propose is BILINGUAL FRENCH / ENGLISH, as well as 2 BOOKS.

Age and musical taste are not restrictive when in the program, you can with qualitative daily work (not quantitative) quickly observe your progress.

Here the pleasure of playing music is put forward.

The kind of music you love most will be the focus of the course, their codes and secrets will be the focus of our study, that's what I want to share with you.

We can do technical lessons and simply learn together how to play one or more songs of your choice or mine, enrich your game with this approach and your repertoire!

(For example, We can re-arrange the pieces and make them more original by approaching the system (CAGED), and enriching their chords, resulting in new positions, new techniques and new sounds, using arpeggio techniques rather than strumming for 4-chord pieces, voicing and fingerstyle techniques, in short, expanding the instrument's playing fields and playing skills to keep progressing in your game and improve your rehearsals ...)

If you make a request, this program is obviously accompanied by the pleasure of learning more in theory and being able to directly apply new knowledge on its instrument and identify its common or rare use in the pieces discussed in class.

In this case, the theory is translated to be accessible to anyone, both for those who are connoisseurs and for those who discover everything from absolute zero.
The exercises, songs, and theoretical explanations offered throughout the program are organized in an order of progressive difficulty.

I wrote and produced 2 books of my method to learn the guitar and the music, that I sell to accompany my course and your apprenticeship in the best conditions and so that you can continue the course even at home and to review etc ... .
There is ONE BOOK OF COURSES containing all the theoretical and practical program of the year, as well as a BOOK OF EXERCISE on the ranges and the modes that you can obtain directly.

You can find here an indicative list of objectives that I propose in my theoretical program, which can of course adapt to your request.

The general theoretical objectives of the course:

--- Tuning / tuning and knowing his guitar:
* Standard Tuning
* Drop Tuning
* Open Tuning
* Adjust the optimal tension of the strings
* Adjust the shaft axis
* Adjust the action of the strings
* Choose the strings adapted to the style of play / tuning
* Change his strings

-Know his chords:
* Triads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* Tetrads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* The chord progressions of the Range
* Arpeggio techniques (tapping, sweep, 1/2/4 fing.shape, etc ...)

--- Know his scales and his modes

* The Mode of the Major scale
* 3 Modes of the Minor scale: Natural / Melodic / Harmonic
* Modes of the Pentatonic range: 5 positions
* Modes of the Blues range: 5 positions
Etc ...

--- Technique to the Pick / Plectrum / Tab / Pick (Electric Guitar):
* Alternate Picking
* Fast Picking / Tremolo Picking
* Hybrid Picking
* Palm Mute
* Natural Harmonics
* Pinch Harmonics
* Artificial Harmonics
* Shredding
* Tapping
* Sweep Picking
* Legato Picking

--- Strumming / Hand Picking (Acoustic Guitar)
* "SnareDrum" percussion on the guitar
* Arpeggios pinched with 4 fingers + thumb
* Rasgueado (Flamenco Technique)
* Generic Strumming
* Fingerstyle Picking
* Two-finger picking + Legato for fast melodies (eg a solo)

-Play the metronome
* exercises on click
* practice on song riffs

-Learn his favorite songs
* without thinking about the difficulty, nothing is impossible with the right methodology

-Improvise
* choose ranges and positions
* to place oneself rhythmically, to finish on the judicious notes

-Theory of Harmony
* Understand harmonization and its practice

-Theory on the Melody

-Theory of Rhythm

Denise

4.88

(88)

My name is Denise and I am a professional singer and vocal coach with a Master’s degree in Historical Singing, Musicology and Music Education from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC).

I have over 10 years of teaching experience in Europe and Latin America, working with students from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds in private lessons, artistic projects, and educational contexts.

My artistic work includes early music and chamber repertoire, as well as Latin American folk, jazz, and contemporary crossover styles. This diversity strongly informs my teaching approach, which is flexible, stylistically open, and based on healthy vocal function.

Evelyn

4.88

(88)

Graduated Argentine musician (National University of the Arts, Buenos Aires) offers personalized music composition courses for all levels and ages. Method adapted to the student's interests. More than 10 years of experience in teaching music. Course: Spanish, English, French

Julia

4.88

(88)

Violin and viola learning for adult beginners and returning players or in the band
SEE ENGLISH BELOW

I have been teaching adult beginners and intermediates to play the violin and viola for 10 years. The focus is very different. One person would like to find relaxation in playing the violin. Another would like to be able to play a certain piece because he likes it. A third has picked up the violin again after a long time.

I have had violin lessons for > 10 years and am currently studying viola at the Conservatory of Bolzano. I have 10 years of teaching experience.

I teach classical and electric violin, always tailored to the student. The lessons can also be carried out using the Suzuki method.

Based on my band experience with violin/viola, I am also a contact person if you play violin or viola in a band.

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions.
best regards
Julia

VIOLIN FOR BEGINNERS AND RETURNERS, also in a band
All levels and ages welcome!
Whether you are a complete beginner and would love to make your dream come true and learn the violin...
Or you haven't played for a while and would like to refresh your skills ..

******* Facts of the class ***********
- I was trained in classical violin for > 10 years and have a teaching experience of > 10 years
- currently I am doing conservatory studies in viola
- I am your coach for playing violin in a band because of my band experience as violinist and violist
- Most of my students are young and younger adult beginners or intermediates
- Anyone welcome who wants to get to know the beauty of this instrument!

******* Offer *********
- I offer lessons live and online
- for classical violin and viola,
- for electric violin (eg film music, recording and editing)
- lessons can be based on the Suzuki method of violin teaching

And always, tailored to the needs and interests of my student.

Please don't hesitate to contact me for any other questions!
Julia

Eleni

4.88

(88)

Whether you're picking up the clarinet for the first time or looking to refine your skills, my lessons are designed to meet you where you are and help you grow. Each lesson is tailored to your individual needs, focusing on both technical skills and musical expression.

Here’s what you can expect:

Personalized Instruction: I’ll create a lesson plan that matches your current level, goals, and learning style. We’ll cover everything from the basics (like fingerings and embouchure) to more advanced techniques, such as tone production, articulation, and phrasing.

Flexible and Fun Approach: I believe that learning an instrument should be enjoyable! My teaching style is flexible, and I encourage students to explore different genres and pieces that inspire them, while also building a strong foundation.

Practice & Progress: We’ll set achievable goals each week, and I’ll give you tips on how to practice efficiently. Progress happens over time, and I’ll be there to support and motivate you along the way.

Music Theory and Sight-Reading: In addition to learning how to play, we’ll also cover music theory and sight-reading to help you better understand the music and become a more well-rounded musician.

Whether you want to play for fun, prepare for performances, or work towards exams, I’m here to help you succeed!

Jeremy

4.88

(88)

Hi, my name is Jeremy and I've played music for 19 years, having performed over 200 concerts and composed with a wide variety of groups and ensembles across England and Belgium in many genres (Funk, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Punk and more). I have completed 3 years of intensive bass study at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and am currently playing bass plus backing-vocals and song arrangement for Kids of the Elephant and Arrubio.

In these lessons, I will help you reach your goals while having fun in the process, keeping the lessons structured and tailored to your personal needs. I have 5 years of experience helping students improve as well as specialist knowledge in a multitude of styles. Some examples of what you might learn include:

- Correct hand positioning & posture for best performance and faster learning.
- Learning your favorite songs quickly and easily.
- Breaking down rhythms & dynamics
- Understanding the role of bass playing in a band.
- Understanding what makes a good bassline and composing your own.
- Essential music theory for bass & more advanced techniques (eg: melodic techniques, rhythmic, slap bass, etc)
- How to improvise, jam and play with other musicians.

Appropriate homework/exercises and recordings are provided during lessons. I also like to give advice and direction for people with musical aspirations. I'm also an empathetic person that loves teaching, so don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Lydia

4.88

(88)

As an experienced music theory tutor and professional pianist, I use a curriculum established by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in the UK to guide students from grades 1-8 (beginning up to early-advanced levels) towards mastery of music theory. We can start from the beginning and work your way up, or find a suitable level based on prior knowledge. My students regularly achieve highest marks in the ABRSM exams following this system. However, if exams are not your goal, and you would simply like a deeper level of theoretical understanding of your music pieces, we apply the insights gained from this course directly to the pieces you are studying without a lot of stress.

Course components include:

Notation and solfège
Rhythm
Meter
Scales + Arpeggios
Intervals
Chords
Cadences
Harmonic Function
Form and Analysis

My background in music theory derives from my professional musical training in the USA where I followed advanced honors-level music theory, ear-training, musical analysis, and orchestral conducting courses in addition to my regular piano performance studies. The insights provided from these analytical courses have proved immensely beneficial to my own life as a pianist. This knowledge not only speeds up the learning process for a musical piece, but also increases confidence in performance by enhancing memorization skills and providing a higher level of awareness of the components which drive musical phrasing and expression. A knowledge of music theory is therefore a crucial element for proficiency of any instrument and a huge aid to any serious music student.

Steve

4.88

(88)

Sometimes you can sit in a music lesson with your class mates and feel completely baffled as to why others are 'getting it' and you are not! If you are wanting some extra help in preparing for a music exam or even wanting to feel more comfortable with the rest of the class then this class is right up your street. Alternatively, if you would like some extra advice on performance techniques then I can help. Perhaps you are struggling with your composition tasks - that is my speciality. Then there is the analysis of a piece of music that can be so confusing that we could spend some valuable one-to-one time on. I am here to help and below are some reasons why I am well suited to give you the appropriate advice that you need.

I worked in a comprehensive school teaching music for over 35 years. In that time I engaged with many different exam boards at GCSE and A level delivering a range of different courses. This experience and my passion for all aspects of music, whether it be performing, composing or listening and analysis enables me to give you the right advice. Whatever you need help with, I am very keen to be able to offer my expertise in any or all of these areas. Each of the three disciplines is intrinsically connected with the other two and having a good grasp of all three will enable you to improve your ability overall.

Brent

4.88

(88)

Do you have trouble reading music? Do you love listening to music, but don't understand time signatures, keys or chords? Music theory often sounds abstract, but with the right explanation and concrete examples it suddenly becomes a lot more logical, and even fun :)

For whom?
- Beginner or advanced musicians who want to better understand what they are doing.
- Students preparing for music theory exams (e.g. music school, entrance exams).
- Independent artists/producers who want to deepen their musical knowledge.
- Anyone who is curious about the language behind music.

What can you expect?
- Clear explanation, at your own pace.
- Theory made immediately applicable with examples on the piano.
- Extra attention to insight instead of learning dry rules by heart.
- Tutoring fully tailored to your level and goal (classical, pop, songwriting, production, ...).

About me
I obtained a Grade 8 diploma in Music Theory and also a Grade 8 Piano from the Royal Schools of Music. In addition, I hold a diploma in Audio Engineering from Hofa College. I am active as a music artist and producer myself. Thanks to this combination of classical training and practical experience, I know how important it is to make theory understandable, concrete, and musical. I use my own piano during lessons to clarify everything visually and audibly.

Possible topics:
- Learn to read music.
- Scales, chords & harmony.
- Form and analysis (classical, jazz or pop).
- Rhythm, time signatures & tempo.
- Music theory for producers/songwriters.
- Songwriting.
- Preparation for exams or entrance tests.

Practical
- 1-on-1 lessons, online or live (if you don't live too far away).
- I provide materials, or we work with what you need.
- No prior knowledge required. Lessons adapted to your level.

🎶 Feel free to send me a message with your questions or goals. We'll see how I can best help you.

Giuseppe

4.88

(88)

Classical music has evolved over more than a thousand years into a rich and complex art — one that requires not only passion, but also trained listening and understanding.

In these personalised one‐on‐one lessons, you will develop your ear through:

- Ear training based on integrated solfège and musical harmony

- Essential music theory

- Writing exercises and dictations, with clear guidance on techniques to master them

- Harmonic analysis of your repertoire and other universal or personally relevant pieces

These foundations will help you:

- Grasp the function of musical elements

- Gain a clearer and fuller understanding of music

- Improve your playing and musical memory

- Improve musical reading

- Express music with clarity and confidence

Whether you are:

- An amateur with an intermediate or high level

Or

- A musician aiming to go professional

...these lessons will help you connect more deeply with music, perform with greater accuracy, and enjoy it more than ever.

According to your musical level, I will guide you through short and basic daily exercises using a clear step‐by‐step method:

- Each exercise lasts from 5 to 15 minutes

- Essential to practise regularly for maximum efficiency

- Not overly difficult, but requires a bit of perseverance (just 10 minutes a day) to obtain the best results

📍 Available online and in‐person in Paris (preferable). But a mix of both is also possible.
🎯 Contact me today to book your first lesson and start your personalised programme.

Those who reach a high level of harmony will be able to unlock the next level: Musical form. Analysis tools for advanced students.

Enrico

4.88

(88)

My lessons are friendly, relaxed and interactive. We start from the music you enjoy and build your skills step by step.
In class we work on songs, chords, rhythm, technique and improvisation, always in a practical and musical way. Lessons are adapted to your level and goals, whether you are a beginner or already have some experience.
My goal is simple: help you understand the piano, enjoy music and feel confident playing.
Feel free to send me a message and tell me what music you love!

Elena

4.88

(88)

Fully online piano assessment and focused follow-up lessons in English for serious students who want a clear professional view of their current level, their main technical-musical bottleneck and the next practical steps.

This is not a casual lesson. It is a structured professional assessment for students who practise regularly but do not fully understand why their playing still does not sound free, stable, expressive or convincing.

I am a Russian-trained concert pianist and piano educator with more than 20 years of teaching experience, international performance background, recordings, masterclasses and academic-level teaching experience.

I teach piano as an integrated system: sound, movement, rhythm, phrasing, memory, musical understanding and intelligent practice.

During the assessment, I look at the student’s playing as a complete musical and technical system:

— sound and tone quality
— body coordination and technical freedom
— rhythm, pulse and inner stability
— phrasing and musical direction
— articulation and dynamics
— reading and understanding the score
— voice balance, harmony, form and musical logic
— memory and reliability
— practice method and self-checking skills

After the session, the student receives a written summary with the main observations, the central bottleneck and a concrete practice plan for the next stage of work.

Possible formats:

1. Piano Assessment / Piano Reset
60 minutes online + written summary with a concrete practice plan

2. Piano Assessment + 4 focused follow-up lessons
After the assessment, we can continue with 4 online lessons focused on improving the main bottleneck: reading, rhythm, sound, movement, phrasing, memory or practice strategy.

Format: assessment session + 4 focused online lessons

This format can be especially useful during the summer break, before the new school year, before an exam, recording or performance, after a long break from piano, or when the student feels that regular practice is not bringing the expected progress.

The goal is not simply to add more pieces or more practice time. The goal is to understand what exactly is blocking progress and to build a clearer, more effective way of working.

Please write to me with a short description of the student’s age, level, current repertoire and what feels most difficult at the moment.

Andrea

4.88

(88)

Do you need help preparing for the entrance exams for Intermediate or Advanced Level Jazz courses? Or are you looking for extra support in your modern music studies?
I'm Andrea, a specialized teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. I offer:
– Intensive preparation for the theoretical part of entrance exams for intermediate and advanced levels of jazz and modern music
– Reinforcement in subjects such as musical language, modern harmony, arranging and composition
– Practical classes from day one, tailored to your needs
– Teaching materials and personalized follow-up with a teaching platform
My approach combines academic rigor with a relaxed atmosphere. I firmly believe that you can learn seriously without losing your passion for music. We will work on:
– The repertoire you need to master for your exams
– Harmonic and melodic analysis of standards, modern songs, large ensembles, etc. Or any style you need, 100% adaptability :)
– Development of musical ear
– Composition and arrangement techniques
– All from a practical and applied perspective.
If you're looking for a teacher who combines experience, professionalism, and a personal touch, I'd be delighted to help you on your musical journey. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information or to schedule your first lesson.
Availability for face-to-face classes in Barcelona and online.

If you like this approach, write to me! Learning music is an exciting journey, and I'd love to be your guide :)

Important! I combine classes with concerts and various musical projects. I appreciate occasional flexibility to reschedule (only when strictly necessary).

The schedule is for summer; it changes during the school year.

Sarasvati

4.88

(88)

Hello and nice to meet you! My name is Sara ~

My experience with guitar started with classical guitar when I was 6 years old and moving on to playing electric guitar at age 14.
Being immersed in playing primarily blues and jazz music.

I have taught students who not only do music as a hobby, but also students with serious career plans in music. I am open to various styles of playing guitar (jazz, blues, fingerstyle, funk, free improvisation and other popular genres) to all levels.

My approach is heavily focused on individual student's goals and needs: If you are just starting to play the instrument, for instance, we will focus on learning the basic technique through simple and easy songs.
If you are intermediate or advanced player already, we will focus on refining your already existing knowledge and find improvements to work on. Or, we can focus on specific themes, for instance improvisation, transcribing, technique and so on.

I also enjoy music theory very much and as I too struggled with grasping the concept when I was younger I am now more than happy to be able to present the world of music theory to anyone who is interested.
We can begin with the basics that can help you improve on your instrument or we can dive deeper into more advanced fields of jazz theory.
Whether you would like to learn music theory for practicality or you have an exam soon and would like to revise/learn more, I am more than happy to help you out on your music theory journey.

Davide

4.88

(88)

Ich bin Davide Mascia, diplomierter klassischer Gitarrenlehrer und biete privaten Unterricht – entweder bei Ihnen zu Hause oder bei mir – ganz nach Ihren Wünschen.

Im Laufe der Jahre habe ich Erfahrung mit Schüler*innen jeden Alters und Levels gesammelt. This gesture is individual territory, abgestimmt auf the personal views, damit das Lernen effektiv und motivierend bleibt.

Ich unterrichte sowohl Anfänger*innen als auch Fortgeschrittene, die ihr Spiel vertiefen oder sich auf Prüfungen und Vorspiele vorbereiten möchten. Lektionen dauern 45 oder 60 Minuten, mit flexiblen Zeiten und Tagen.

Ich spreche Englisch, Italianisch und Spanisch (Deutsch und französisch kommen bald – ich arbeite daran!).

Wenn Sie mehr erfahren oder eine Probestunde vereinbaren möchten, schreiben Sie mir – ich freue mich, Sie kennenzulernen! 🎶

[email protected]