Adult Music Theory Classes (Entry Level)

Now extended to 10 weeks course duration, instead of 8.

Unlock the language of music in this engaging, hands-on 10-week course designed specifically for adult learners. Whether you're new to music theory or looking to deepen your understanding, these 45 min, small-group classes provide a practical and approachable introduction to the fundamentals of music theory.

Designed to complement your instrumental practice, this course offers interactive exercises and relatable examples to help you master the foundational concepts of music theory and apply them directly to your playing. Learn at a pace that works for you in a supportive, welcoming environment.

10-week schedule for Autumn 2025:

• Week 1:        16th September  8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 2:        23rd September  8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 3:        30th September  8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 4:        7th October        8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 5:        14th October      8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 6:        21st October      8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 7:        28th October      8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 8:        4th November     8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 9:       11th November    8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)
• Week 10:     18th November    8:00 - 8:45 PM (Room B002)

Discount available for AD Group Class and/or WSC participants with valid registrations for the Autumn Term 2025. 

Please contact adultdivision@riam.ie to receive a Promotional Code for a €20 course fee reduction.

What You’ll Learn

Each week focuses on a key aspect of music theory, starting right from the basics and building progressively to cover:

Pitch – The Ups and Downs

• Introduction to pitch and melodic notation – including the history of the stave, lines and spaces in a variety of clefs, and ledger lines.
• Name and notate pitches with clarity and precision.
• Understand the function of accidentals, including sharps and flats (and double sharps and flats).

Intervals – The Relationship Between Two Notes

• Explore tonic solfa and its application to intervals and general musicianship.
• Recognise and sing a variation of intervals, relating these to well-known songs.

Scales – Putting Pitches in Order

• Understand, form, apply, and recognise major, natural minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales.
• Understand and identify chromatic and pentatonic scales.

Harmony – Pitches Sounding Together

• Learn how chords are constructed and function in musical contexts.

Keys – Defining the Playing Field

• Confidently decode key signatures and explore the relationships between keys.
• Use the Circle of Fifths to navigate advanced key concepts.
• Correctly identify the key signature of a given scale.

Beat, Meter, and Rhythm – Music in Time

• Master the principles of rhythm, beat, and meter.
• Understand and perform a range of time signatures and rhythmic notation, including syncopation.

Form – The Big Picture

• Explore the structure and organisation of music.
• Apply these ideas in both popular and classical music, especially in relation to the Circle of Fifths.

Expression and Dynamics –

• Understand dynamics, expression markings, ornamentation and phrasing to bring music to life.
• Connect theory to expressive performance techniques and historical musical periods.

Dictation – Developing Your Musical Ear

• Write down simple one- to two-bar rhythmic and melodic patterns by ear.
• Strengthen your ability to learn and understand music through listening.

For any enquiries about this course, please contact adultdivision@riam.ie or call 01 632 5300.

• Participants must be 18+.
• No prior theory knowledge is required for Entry Level.

Martina Rosaria O’Connell

Martina Rosaria O’Connell is an accomplished Irish-Italian flautist and music educator, known for her dedication to both performance and teaching.

She holds a Master’s in Flute Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and Trinity College Dublin, graduating with distinction and achieving the highest result in her year. She also earned a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Trinity College Dublin and RIAM, which included a six-month Erasmus placement at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Martina’s career spans both solo and ensemble performances. She has appeared with renowned ensembles such as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. She has performed in masterclasses with world-renowned flautists including Sir James Galway, Michael Cox, and Adam Walker, and has participated in prestigious programs such as the Camerata Ireland Academy and the Saline Royale Academy in France. She regularly performs chamber music across Ireland, with a particular passion for the French Romantic repertoire.

A passionate advocate for music education, Martina is a qualified post-primary music teacher. She served as Head of Education for the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, where she developed accessible and engaging Music Appreciation classes for adults. She also has extensive experience in arts and orchestral management, having worked with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.

Martina has taught Junior Musicianship at RIAM since her time as an 1848 Scholar during her master’s studies. Now in her second year teaching in the RIAM Adult Division, she is passionate about ensuring that music can be experienced and enjoyed by all, at any stage of life. She has coordinated and led music camps and outreach projects both nationally and internationally. Notably, she coordinated the It’s Time Music Education Outreach Project, which was featured on RTÉ News2Day.

Martina’s blend of performance excellence and educational leadership reflects her deep commitment to fostering a lifelong love of music across all ages and abilities.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Confidently read and interpret musical notation.
• Apply theory concepts to your instrumental practice, enhancing your playing.
• Identify and construct intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.
• Understand rhythm, harmony, and musical structure.
• Expand your appreciation for the building blocks of music and how they come together in performance.

Here is what some of our previous course participants are saying:

"Excellent course - really engaging teacher, clear information provided, good curriculum with opportunities to both practise learning and extend knowledge."

"I haven't enjoyed learning and homework this much since I was a child!! A few years ago I attempted to pick back up the piano skills of my youth and failed to reach the same level. I realised my theory was letting me down but couldn't find a class offering what I needed. Then this class came along - exactly what I'd been looking for!!"

"I really enjoyed Martina’s teaching style - it is engaging, interesting and agile. Martina teaches with a passion for her music and subject which is contagious."

"An excellent instructor. She covered so much with great enthusiasm and she dealt with questions in a very engaging way."

"Thank you for facilitating such a wonderful course - I am looking forward to more!"