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Music Composition and Music Theory Lessons with a PhD Graduate

From 66 C$ /h

Hello!

My name is Jacques, and I hold a Ph.D. in Composition from the University of California, San Diego. I offer online courses in composition and music theory for learners of all ages and levels.

Additionally, I can assist with preparation for entrance exams at music conservatories.

**Sample Topics for Beginners:**

- Introduction to Western Music Theory Concepts
- Modal Scales
- Harmony
- Modulation
- Counterpoint (Species, Canon, Invention, Fugue)
- Figured Bass
- Material Development
- Twelve-Tone Technique
- Form Analysis
- Historical Styles
- Post-Tonal Harmony
- Polytonality

**Sample Topics for Advanced Students:**

- Advanced Techniques vs. Technique Expansion
- Harmonic Spectrum and Spectralism
- Hybrid Notation Methods
- Timbre
- Orchestration
- Polyphonic Structures
- Microtonality
- Contemporary Approaches to Form
- Complex Rhythms

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine advanced techniques, I tailor each lesson to meet your individual goals and interests. Feel free to reach out for more information or to schedule a lesson!

Extra information

Jacques (*1986) is a Mexican composer based in Berlin, a member of the Sistema Nacional de Creadores Arte de México (National System of Art Creators), and chairman of the Contemporary Insights initiative. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), working with Roger Reynolds. Before that, Jacques earned a Master’s degree and completed a post-master's program (Meisterklasse) at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig, studying under Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf and receiving private lessons from Johannes Kreidler.

Earlier in his career, Jacques studied composition and music theory at the CIEM in Mexico with Victor Rasgado and Enrico Chapela. He also holds a Music Diploma in guitar performance from the Royal School of Music, London (2012).

He is the creator of the channels Mexican Scores, where he publishes video-scores of contemporary Mexican composers, and Musica Teórica Online, focused on educational content about music theory. His works have been performed in countries like Mexico, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the U.S., the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, and Germany, and have been featured in festivals such as Darmstadt, Gaudeamus, and Wittener Tage für Neue Kammermusik.

Jacques earned second place in the "New Recorder Music" competition in 2016, held in Lausanne. His piece "Xochitepec desde mi cuarto" was chosen to represent Mexico at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers in 2012. He has been awarded several scholarships, including the Deutschlandstipendium and the Mexican grants Estudios en el Extranjero (2013) and Jóvenes Creadores (2016, 2021). In 2019, he was selected by the ULYSSES Network for the ULYSSES Journeys program.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At teacher's location :

Berlin, Germany

Online from Germany

About Me

Lessons available in English, German and Spanish.

Jacques (*1986) is a Mexican composer based in Berlin, a member of the Sistema Nacional de Creadores Arte de México, and chairman of the Contemporary Insights initiative.

He completed his Ph.D. at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), working with Roger Reynolds. Before that, earned a Master's degree and completed a post-master's program (Meisterklasse) at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig, studying under Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf and receiving private lessons from Johannes Kreidler.

Earlier in his career, studied composition and music theory at the CIEM in Mexico with Victor Rasgado and Enrico Chapela. He also holds a Music Diploma in guitar performance from the Royal School of Music, London (2012).

His works have been performed in countries such as Mexico, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, the US, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, and Germany, and have been featured in festivals such as Darmstadt, Gaudeamus, and Wittener Tage für Neue Kammermusik.

Education

PhD in Music Composition - University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Master class (post-masters) in composition, Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Leipzig, Germany
Master in Composition in Composition - Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Leipzig, Germany
Bachelor in Music Theory, CIEM | London College of Music, Mexico City
Bachelor in composition - CIEM, Mexico City

Experience / Qualifications

Music Theory at UCSD, USA (from 2018)
Assistant composition teacher, HMT, Leipzig (2013-2015)
Private music instructor (composition, music theory and guitar (from 2008)

Age

Preschool children (4-6 years old)

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

30 minutes

45 minutes

60 minutes

The class is taught in

German

English

Spanish

Skills

Music theory lessons

Music composition

Music theory

Reviews

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

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Online lessons via Skype, Zoom, Google Meets

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I have been a musician since childhood and play the piano.
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✨ Suitable for children, beginners and anyone who wants to learn piano in a modern and enjoyable way.

For me, music is not a theory, but a language that one lives.
Music should be learned and treated like a language.

Listening, reading (music), writing and playing.
The goal is for you to eventually "speak" music naturally, without thinking too much.

Feel free to write to me if you want to know more about my teaching or how I teach music like a second language.

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Klavierunterricht für Kinder ab 4 Jahren, Jugendliche und
Erwachsene. Der Unterricht findet bei Ihnen zu Hause statt, in
jedem Berliner Bezirk, oder auf Wunsch online.

WIE ICH UNTERRICHTE
Eine saubere Technik ist die Grundlage, aber gespielt wird das,
was Sie wirklich hören wollen. Filmmusik, Pop und Klassik
schließen sich nicht aus, und Motivation entsteht genau da, wo
beides zusammenkommt. Bei Kindern arbeite ich geduldig und mit
klarer Struktur, damit zu Hause auch tatsächlich geübt wird.

DIE ERSTE STUNDE
Wir finden zuerst heraus, was Sie oder Ihr Kind wirklich spielen
möchten. Danach schauen wir uns das Instrument an, die Haltung,
die Hände. Am Ende der ersten Stunde haben Sie etwas gespielt,
auch als kompletter Anfänger.

RAHMEN
Fester wöchentlicher Termin, 30, 45 oder 60 Minuten. Ein Klavier
oder ein Keyboard zum Üben genügt für den Anfang. Fahrzeit und
Vorbereitungszeit sind im Preis enthalten.

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Piano lessons for children from age 4, teenagers and adults, at
your home anywhere in Berlin, or online if you prefer. Lessons
in English, Turkish or German.

Clean technique is the foundation, but we play the music that
actually pulls you to the instrument. I have been teaching for
seven years and currently also teach at two Berlin music
schools.

A fixed weekly slot, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. A piano or a keyboard
at home is enough to start. Travel and preparation time are
included in the price.