About
Piano Lessons At Musical Interludes
Musical Interludes specialises in early childhood music and piano lessons for all ages with a special focus on piano from ages 3 to the teen years. We welcome people with special needs. With a strong focus on musicality and technique from the very beginning we aim to equip students with a well rounded and solid foundation upon which to build their love of music and playing piano.
We subscribe to a repertoire rich learning experience at Musical Interludes and believe that true musical enjoyment and ability is developed only through playing a large variety of music. With many exam focused syllabuses students learn a narrow selection of music of only 6 – 8 pieces a year. Repertoire Rich learning means they will be playing a range of music to challenge their skills in different ways and provide momentum and interest in piano lessons. Some music is selected to be learned and mastered quickly helping to develop music literacy, sight-reading and memorisation skills; some pieces are a long term challenge with new techniques to be learned and mastered. We always encourage students to have an input into their repertoire choices and if the skill level is appropriate welcome the addition of popular music into their lessons.
Services offered
At Musical Interludes
Preschool Piano and Mini Maestros
Piano Lessons School Age & Up
AMEB Exams
Music Theory
Recitals
Online Lessons
Special Needs
Please note that you are required to own a digital piano (88weighted keys with a fixed pedal) or acoustic piano before commencing tuition at our studio. A keyboard will not be a suitable instrument to learn on.
Preschool Lessons
Preschool is a wonderful age to start engaging in music lessons. Children have an eagerness to learn and a delightful curiosity that makes them flourish as budding musicians.
Lessons at the preschool level will mean that your child does not have to sit still at the piano for the full lesson. They include learning at the piano and other activities away from the piano to reinforce musical concepts. A range of movement and percussion activities ensure that your child gains a well rounded musical experience and caters for their style of learning at this early age of development.
Mini Maestros is a wonderful group music environment that will complement piano lessons and facilitate their learning experience. We have special offers for children who choose to do both Mini Maestros and Piano concurrently. Please call 0423 098 520 for more details.
For more information on the benefits of piano lessons at an early age check out this article.
Beginners Piano (Primary Up)
Beginner Piano Lessons include a range of activities to provide foundations for a rounded musical development. Lessons include activities at the piano and ‘off the bench’ games and activities to develop piano technique, theory basics, aural training, healthy practise habits, rhythmic understanding and musical confidence. All students will have a Piano Lesson book which will be supplemented with worksheets and additional repertoire to provide an individualised program that teaches students how to express themselves with music.
Repertoire and teaching materials vary depending upon ages and musical experience of students. There is no one-mode fits all teaching approach at Musical Interludes.
Exams
Exams are not compulsory at Musical Interludes but we can prepare students tor all AMEB levels in both practical and theory exams. Students can develop into excellent musicians and performers without following the exam syllabus However some people work more efficiently and/or thrive with set tasks to achieve within set time frames and enjoy the process of exam preparation.
Exams provide these defined goals and can be a powerful motivator. They also provide a tangible sense of achievement and are invaluable if you or your child wishes to go on to pursue a career in music and study at University level. AMEB provides written reports for all exams and awards official certificates in recognition of each candidates achievements.
HOWEVER Please be aware that exams themselves are not a music education. At Musical Interludes we want our students to become well-rounded musicians and merely following the exam syllabus doesn’t permit this. Exams are limited to only testing a small snapshot of musical skill and can be detrimental to a child’s overall music development if it is the only music learned during lesson. Children will only sit exams when they have covered a broad range of skills and techniques relevant to their level and are discouraged from pushing through levels just for the sake of achieving a higher grade.
Recitals
We have two annual recitals which provides a memorable experience for all involved. Recitals are both exciting and nerve-wracking and are the major event of the piano year. It not only gives the children the opportunity to show off and perform, but also gives them the opportunity to be motivated by other student performances.
Online Lessons
Musical Interludes now offer online class options in addition to face to face lessons (recommencing in Term 3, check here for our COVID policy)
Online lessons are available as a permanent option and also as a make-up option in the case of illness and being unable to attend your usual class time. You will require a device or laptop for classes, NOTE: the bigger the screen the more you will get out of lessons. Devices need to be set up next to your piano with a view of the students hands on the keys.
Thoeory
The fundamentals of music theory are incorporated into all piano lessons, but there is so much more to learn from theory than can be achieved within the piano lesson itself. Theory lessons are often offered to piano students in a group format to prepare for particular level exams and to enhance the learning experience.
A secure understanding of music theory helps students understand how music work, helps them become independent learners and can lead to composition and creativity.
Students wishing to undertake private theory lessons are also welcomed. Please contact me to discuss further.
Parental involvement at home is essential. Check your child’s practice tasks for the week and give some direction and guidance along the way to assist them in developing good habits. Your involvement can be as simple as calling out from the kitchen to acknowledge something played well or as involved as sitting at the piano and engaging in duets or improvisation. Get them to play a concert for you at the end of the week to show how much they have achieved or ask them to explain a theory concept to you.
You might like to read these two fantastic articles by Elissa Milne on preparing your child for piano lessons and supporting your child through their lessons:
15 Things You Need To Know About Supporting Your Child Through Piano Lessons
10 Things You Should Do Before Your Child Learns Piano
How much practise?
Practising the piano is not about time! The most important thing to focus on when creating good practice habits is HOW the time is spent at the piano. Please note that practise is most effective in the days following your lesson. Scheduling a regular practise time helps create good habits and helps students progress at a steady rate and to feel a sense of achievement
When children practise efficiently more progress is achieved which in turn increases enjoyment. This creates an ongoing cycle that will encourage children to spend more time at the piano because they are enjoying themselves rather than following a set timetable. Each week the practice tasks will be clearly outlined and sent home to follow. Once the tasks are achieved practice is finished, students are then encouraged to PLAY. This can be playing favourite songs, improvising/making up their own songs, listening to music or playing music games online.
Contact Details
Location: 10/334 Keilor Road, Niddrie
Telephone: 0419 157 856
Email: musicalinterludesniddrie@gmail
Class Schedule: Monday - Saturday
Contact Taryn to find out available spots
