Adult Music Theory Classes (Progression Level)
This course is a practical guide to progress your understanding music, expand your tools to apply the theory directly to your instrument and further develop your musical abilities.
Description
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 55 min (in person) / 60 min (online), small-group classes (limited to 10 -12 participants) provide a practical and approachable introduction to the fundamentals of music theory.
Group I: Tuesdays 7:00 - 7:45 PM (fully booked now)
Group II: Tuesdays 8:00 - 8:45 PM (places available)
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.
Schedule:
- Week 1: 8th April Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 2: 15th April Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 3: 22nd April Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 4: 29th April Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 5: 6th May Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 6: 13th May Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 7: 20th May Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
- Week 8: 27th May Group 1: 7:00 PM / Group 2: 8:00 PM
Discount available for AD Group Classes and/or WSC participants with valid registrations for the Spring 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, building progressively to cover:
Pitch – The Ups and Downs
- Introduction to pitch and music notation.
- Naming and notating pitches with clarity and precision.
Intervals – The Space Between
- Recognize and play intervals in major and minor scales.
- Explore advanced intervals and transposition techniques to move between keys effortlessly.
Scales – Putting Pitches in Order
- Understand and apply major, natural minor, melodic minor, and harmonic minor scales.
- Dive into chromatic, whole-tone, octatonic, and pentatonic scales.
Harmony – Pitches Sounding Together
- Learn how chords are constructed and identify harmonic progressions.
- Use Roman numeral analysis to understand chord functions and explore cadences.
Keys – Defining the Playing Field
- Decode key signatures and explore the relationships between keys.
- Learn the Circle of Fifths and navigate advanced key concepts.
Beat, Meter, and Rhythm – Music in Time
- Master the principles of rhythm, beat, and meter.
- Understand time signatures, syncopation, and rhythmic notation.
Form – The Big Picture
- Explore the structure and organisation of music
- Apply these ideas in popular and classical music contexts.
Expression and Dynamics – The 'How' of Music Performance
- Understand dynamics, expression markings, and phrasing to bring music to life.
- Connect theory to expressive performance techniques.
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Additional Topics
- Chords and Inversions: Build, identify, and use triads and their inversions.
- Cadences and Progressions: Create a smooth musical flow through progressions.
- Music Theory Basics: Master treble, bass, alto and tenor clefs, double sharps/flats, and essential musical terms.
- Instruments of the Orchestra: Discover the roles and sounds of orchestral instruments.
For any enquiries about this course, please contact adultdivision@riam.ie or call 01 632 5300.
Learning Outcomes
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.
Prerequisites
- Participants must be 18+.
- Participants should have completed the Adult Music Theory Entry Level course of achieve a minimum of 90% in a Grade 2 Practice Exam.
(Click here to assess yourself).
Tutors
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.
Martina 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 of her year. She also earned a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Trinity College Dublin and RIAM, including 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 National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, RIAM Philharmonia, the Dublin Symphony Orchestra, and the Esker Festival Orchestra. Additionally, she has performed in masterclasses with world-renowned flautists such as Sir James Galway, Michael Cox, and Adam Walker, and participated in prestigious programs including the Camerata Ireland Academy and Saline Royale Academy in France.
An advocate for music education, Martina is a Post-Primary Music Teacher and serves as Head of Education for the West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival. In this role, she developed Music Appreciation classes for adults, broadening access to classical music through engaging and interactive sessions. She also works as Assistant Orchestra Manager for the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Martina has taught Junior Musicianship at RIAM as an 1848 Scholar and coordinated music camps and outreach projects nationally and internationally. Her efforts include coordinating 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 commitment to fostering a love for music across all ages and skill levels.
Testimonials
Here is what some of our previous "Entry Level" 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!"