Music Lessons for Beginners! (1:1 Tutoring, Ages 8-18)
In this ongoing 1:1 course, students will learn how to read music and basic music theory (written and aural).
Carrie Matheny
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(9)
What's included
Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed30 mins
per sessionTeacher support
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Homework will be assigned in alignment with each student's personal goals. Assigned homework might include worksheets, listening exercises, or creativity exercises like writing a melody.Assessment
Learner progress will be assessed through informal assessment during class time.Class Experience
In this course, students will learn how to read music, recognize and sing pitch intervals, and receive general basic music tutoring catered specifically to them. This course is designed for students who are interested in music but have no or little music theory knowledge. It's a great option for those who are interested in music but don't quite know where to begin (and don't play an instrument or sing), OR for those who have just started learning an instrument/joined choir/band/orchestra/etc., OR for those who have been playing/singing for a while but want to learn more about musical scales, improve their sense of rhythm, or get better at sight-reading through pitch interval recognition. 🎶 🤔 What if I don't sing or play an instrument? That's OK! We will use a variety of resources (including a virtual/printout piano, musical staff, our voices, etc.) to learn to read music. 🎶 ___________________________________ My teaching style is high-energy and enthusiastic. While some lessons will have a "lecture" portion when we are learning about a new concept, the tutoring session will be very interactive. We will play music games, sing, and listen to music together to learn about a concept. I want students to become strong critical thinkers and confident musicians (no matter how they choose to pursue music) so I use guided conversation and questions to help them learn and apply new skills. We will use music examples from a variety of sources based on the student's interests--anything from classical music to pop music and beyond is fair game! ___________________________________ Weekly Topics will be determined to suit each individual student's current skill level and goals. The Weekly Topics listed below are general guidelines; adjustments will be made as necessary to best fit the student. Example Weekly topics for Beginner Students: Week 1: Introduction and Skill Level Assessment Week 2: What are the Elements of Music?; The Musical Staff Week 3: Singing High and Low; Symbols in Music Week 4: Notes on the Staff, Notes on the Piano Example Weekly topics for Students with Some Music Background: Week 1: Introduction and Skill Level Assessment Week 2: Review of the Musical Staff and Notes Week 3: Reading Ledger Lines; Treble and Bass Clef Week 4: Introduction to Scales: Major vs. Minor ***Interested in a one-time lesson? Send me a message to schedule!***
Learning Goals
Students will improve their understanding of music theory and be able to read sheet music. If they do not currently participate in other outside music activities, they will gain skills that will give them a solid foundation whenever they start to learn an instrument, sing, etc. Those who do currently participate in other outside music activities will become confident in their ability to read music, understand basic principles of harmony, be able to identify major and minor intervals, and memorize major and minor scales.
Other Details
Supply List
Students should bring a pencil and staff paper to each class. There are free staff paper templates available online that can be printed, and staff paper notebooks can be purchased at a music store or online. Wide Staff paper is recommended, especially for younger students. This can be purchased online through suppliers like Amazon for approximately $6-8. For specific recommendations, please message Teacher Carrie. A worksheet with an image of piano keys will be provided for students to use during and outside of class. While it is not required, students may also choose to use a piano or electric keyboard at home (if they already have one available) while practicing to help hear the notes and intervals that we are practicing.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will occasionally refer to age-appropriate and content-related material on YouTube and Spotify. Students will not be asked to go to those sources on their own; Teacher Carrie will facilitate the use of those sources during class.
Joined March, 2022
5.0
9reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hi there! My name is Carrie, I am a professional musician, arts administrator, and themed entertainment nerd. 😎
MUSIC CLASSES: I teach music classes about specialized and generalized topics.
Specialized classes are created with the goal of increasing musical and/or technical ability as a performer. Some of my favorite topics are sight-reading, audition preparation, exploring character and style in performance, and the flute.
Generalized classes take a look at topics like musical style, music history, and the elements of music. I love movies and television, themed entertainment (i.e. Disney, Universal, etc.), and the circus--all of which are excellent settings to learn about music! There's some pretty amazing music that can be found beyond the traditional concert hall, and the students and I are going to explore it together!
THEMED ENTERTAINMENT CLASSES: Calling all Theme Park enthusiasts! Want to talk about the history of a park, how an attraction works, or your favorite parade? My courses might be the place for you! Together, we will share our love for themed entertainment and delve into topics such as: design elements, use of Intellectual Property (IP), the concept of "edutainment," use of music in a themed setting, ride systems, and more (even a little bit of trivia, too).
Short Bio:
Carrie Matheny is a flutist, teacher, and arts administrator. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Kentucky. While studying at UK, she was principal flute in the UK Symphony Orchestra and UK Opera Orchestra, and a member of multiple chamber ensembles. Her flute and guitar duo, Bella Notte, was awarded 2nd place in the 2021 Flute Society of Kentucky Chamber Music Competition. In 2020, she was a Flute Society of Kentucky Masterclass Competition winner, and also served on the Assistant Programming Committee for the annual festival. Carrie regularly performs as a freelance musician; she has performed with the Lexington Singers, Daytona Solisti Chamber Orchestra, Florida Flute Choir, Lexington Children's Theatre, to name a few. Additionally, she maintains a private studio and enjoys working with students of all ages. In 2021, she was a Convention Intern for the National Flute Association Virtual Conference. Carrie holds two Bachelor’s degrees (B.M. Flute Performance and B.A.Com.) from the University of Louisville. For fun, Carrie enjoys seeking out themed entertainment experiences and practicing aerial arts (her favorites are silks, trapeze, and corde lisse!).Reviews
Live 1-on-1 Lessons
$25
per sessionMeets on demand
30 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-18
