Little String Music

Comprehensive RCM Classical Guitar & RCM Music Theory Exam Preparations

All rates are based on 4-week month (fees are pro-rated for shorter or longer months).

Current fees, please click on PDF file:

GROUP LESSONS: AN EXTRA 50% OF THE TOTAL FOR EACH ADDITIONAL STUDENT

Music Theory Lessons/ RCM Exam Theory Preparation:

A Preparatory Music Theory Program covering Levels 1-4 is available to students without previous experience in theory. Programs for each of Levels 5 through 8 consist of a minimum of sixteen (16) lessons conducted in a single term, including time for mock exams.

***

Tuition fees do not cover specific method or repertoire books that will be required by students during the year. These books will be recommended on an as-needed basis by the student’s teacher.

Special attention is given to beginners covering all the basics, including proper technique (physically), artistry (emotion), rhythm, ear development, and a strong emphasis on note-reading. Goals are also a big part of learning and development and all students are encouraged to take Royal Conservatory Exams.

Students are given detailed weekly assignments which are expected to be completed, and daily practice at home is required. Please note that children under the age of 10 will only be accepted for instruction if parents are prepared to become actively involved in their instruction and practice.

MASTER - CLASSES:

(advanced and beyond level)

Please note that student is subject to audition/ assessment prior enrolling into master - classes.

Master - classes: 1 hr - $190.00

1. Chaconne from Partita in D Minor for Solo Violin by J. S. Bach's (Arr. Vanja Dijak):

The 5th movement of the Partita in D minor for solo violin by J. S. Bach, more commonly known as the Bach Chaconne, is one of the richest, most challenging pieces of music ever written for the violin. Praise for the piece is lavish: composer Johannes Brahms once famously wrote that had he been able to even conceive of such a piece, the joy of such a realization would have caused him to lose his mind. Master violinist Yehudi Menhuin called it "the greatest structure for solo violin that exists, and modern violinist Joshua Bell described it as "emotionally powerful, structurally perfect". History remembers the Chaconne as one of the greatest achievements in music, and it will speak to generations to come. Both physically and mentally draining to play, very few have mastered this formidable piece. Trained violinists have been to known to spend more than a decade studying the Chaconne.

This intensive course with primarily focus on music elements: articulation, dynamic, tempo, and overall performance.

2. Introduction and Variations on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 9, by Fernando Sor.

One of Fernando Sor's most famous works for guitar. It was first published in London in 1821 and dedicated to Sor's brother Carlos. This is undoubtedly amongst the highlights of the nineteenth century guitar repertoire.

10 lessons intensive course. The areas of attention include: physical balance, ease of movement, tone production, note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, intonation, maintaining steady pulse, playing with appropriate tempo, dynamic variation, appropriate and consistent articulation, creation of motion in melodic line and phrase shaping and consistency with stylistic conventions.

3. Four pieces (Verano Porteno, Milonga del Angel, La Muerte del Angel, Primavera Portena) by Astor Piazzolla.

4. Suite Popularie Bresilienne and Cinq Preludes (1940) by Heitor Villa-Lobos

5. 20 Etudes simples by Leo Brouwer

6. Asturias (Leyenda) by Isaac Albéniz

7. La Catedral by Agustín Barrios Mangoré

8. Rondeña and Zapateado by Regino Sainz de la Maza

9. Tango en skaï by Roland Dyens

Roland’s most famous piece, Tango en Skai.Tango en Skai is nearly perfect, and in more ways than one. Technical wise, Roland writes in just about every single technique available to the guitarist. From open string harmonics, to four and six-note hammer-ons, to p-i-m-a roulades, to tremolos, Roland really runs the gambit. And we haven’t even left the seventh measure! There’s half and full bars, artificial harmonics, pizzicatos, flamenco strumming, finger drumming, p-i-m roulades, pull-offs, and glissandos.

10. Rossiniana No 1, Op. 119 by Mauro Giuliani

Mauro Giuliani's "Rossiniane" are a virtuoso variations cycle for the guitar based on themes by Rossini. One of the unique features of these Galant Classical compositions is that they were jointly composed by Giuliani, Paganini (who also mastered the guitar), and Rossini himself at Rossini's villa.

11. Capricho árabe by Francisco Tárrega

12. Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) by Francisco Tárrega

Copyright© notice
Vanja Dijak is in full compliance with Copyright and Music Publishers Association’s Code of Fair Practice.

All students must bring original copy (or authorized download) of all music.

Lesson Fees

GENERAL INTRODUCTORY INFO

Student must have NYLON string guitar. Please talk to me before purchasing a guitar first. From my experience, most of the time a new student buys inadequate therefore unusable instrument which seriously affects both learning process and progress.

Also, young students are carefully sized for the appropriate sized instrument, so parents/guardians are highly recommended not to purchase a guitar before consulting me.

Items need for lessons:

Nylon string, classical guitar

Footstool or A-Frame or ErgoPlay Guitar Support

Metronome

Notebook for lesson notes

Music stand

For literature, student will be advised after a couple of lessons after the assessment.

I have been fortunate to have some great teachers in my years of guitar playing.

This school is dedicated to them...

COMPREHENSIVE
RCM CLASSICAL GUITAR WITH
RCM MUSIC THEORY
RCM MUSIC HISTORY
EDUCATION PROGRAM®