What We Teach

Explore all the aspects of musc which we teach

Silhouette of a musical staff with a treble clef and various musical notes, birds are perched on the lines, set against a cloudy sky.

MELODY CREATION

The Development of Tonality
The Major-Minor System
Features of a Good Melody
Creating a Melodic Contour
The Use of Rests
Connecting the Chord Tones
Melodic Embellishment

Sheet music with a conductor's baton resting on it.

HARMONISATION

Intervals
Triads and Inversions
Seventh Chords
Extended Chords
The Cycle Of Fifths
Altered Chords
Borrowed Chords
Chord Substitution
Enriched Harmonies
Polytonality
Added Dissonance

Abstract digital art featuring piano keys and geometric shapes in black, white, and gold colors.

RHYTHM AND STRUCTURE

Existing Rhythmic Tropes
Dance Rhythms
Syncopation
Poly-Rhythms
The Use of Rests
Strophic Form
Binary Form
Ternary Form
Blues Form
Contemporary Structures

Screenshot of a digital audio workstation (DAW) interface showing musical tracks, MIDI notes, and editing tools for music production.

MIDI COMPOSITION

Parameters of MIDI
MIDI editing tools
Interfaces and Pathways
External Controllers
Applications of MIDI
Automation
Sample Libraries
Session Organisation
Creative MIDI Approaches

A digital screenshot of sheet music featuring parts for violin 1, violin 2, viola, and violoncello, with musical notes and dynamics notations.

SIBELIUS NOTATION SOFTWARE

Note Input Methods
Creating Scores & Parts
Lyric Input Methods
Transposing
Arranging
Creating Worksheets
Scorch and online sharing
Rewiring with other software
Professional Publication

An orchestra performing on stage with musicians playing string, woodwind, and brass instruments, under a large curved ceiling with a painted mural and symmetrical wooden panels.

ORCHESTRATION

Instrumental Practicalities
Instrument Ranges
Successful Combining
String Writing
Brass Writing
Woodwind Writing
Percussion Writing
4 Part Writing
Doubling & Tripling
The Use Of Space

For weeklong music-writing/ composing retreats with peronalised teaching sessions visit:

laselvaretreats.org

  • "Creative, and genuinely passionate about what they do."

    Music Journal Of Ireland