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Music Theory Lessons in Etobicoke

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Overview

Quoting from the RCM Theory Syllabus (2016), "The study of theory is an essential component of well-rounded musical training and is intended to support the practical studies to enhance and enrich the musical experience." We absolutely agree with this statement!

At DCAM, you can take Music Theory as a separate lesson or in combination with the study of your favourite instrument.

a girl doing music theory

What is a good age to start music theory lessons?

Students can begin studying the basics of music theory as young as 5 years old. Getting an early start in music theory gives young students an edge when they get into the more complicated material.

Lesson Format

Private lessons: these are one-on-one lessons with student and teacher. Private lessons are a great option for students looking for highly-focused and individualized music instruction. The teacher is able to give their full attention to one student and students normally progress faster in this environment.

Semi-private lessons: these lessons consist of two students per teacher. Semi-private lessons can be a budget-friendly option for parents with two children or two friends wanting to learn the same instrument together. The one obvious drawback is that students don't receive as much focused and individualized attention from the teacher as they do with private lessons.

Lesson Duration

At DCAM, students can choose between 30-minute, 45-minute, or 1-hour lessons. The right lesson length depends on your age, experience level, and learning goals.

30-minute lessons are ideal for young children (ages 6-8) who are just starting out. This duration matches their natural attention span and allows them to stay focused and engaged throughout the entire lesson. These shorter sessions help build positive associations with learning music.

45-minute lessons work well for older children (ages 9-12) and are our minimum recommendation for teenagers and adults. This extra time allows for more comprehensive technique work, theory instruction, and the opportunity to work on multiple songs or skills in a single lesson.

60-minute lessons are perfect for serious students, advanced players, or those preparing for performances or exams. The full hour provides time for warm-up exercises, technique development, repertoire building, music theory, and performance practice all in one session.

As students progress and their attention span increases, many naturally transition to longer lesson durations with their teacher's recommendation. This gradual progression ensures students are always challenged appropriately without becoming overwhelmed.

Materials

music theory books

Since many of our students eventually intend to write the RCM theory exams, RCM books are our most popular choice for theory studies. However, there are plenty of other great theory books out there which we would be happy to teach if that is what our students would prefer. One example of such books is Barbara Wharram's "Rudimentary Rudiments of Music".

Teachers

guitar, lute and theory teacher Jonathan

Jonathan

guitar, lute, music theory

Jonathan is a classical guitarist and specialist in lutes and historical guitars. As an educator, he encourages students to explore their musical interests while laying strong technical foundations and helping students approach their instruments with ease. In addition to guitar and lute teaching, Jonathan is a repertoire coach for vocalists and instrumentalists working on baroque and renaissance music. He performs at home and abroad where he is active with multiple ensembles and festivals. Jonathan holds a Master's in Historical Performance from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in Barcelona. He was recognized for outstanding achievement in lute at McGill's Schulich School of Music, receiving his B.Mus. in guitar and lute under Jérôme Ducharme and Sylvain Bergeron.

piano teacher Terry

Terry

piano, music theory

Taras (Terry) Babyuk started his musical journey with accordion lessons at age seven. In his teens, he became fascinated with piano and never looked back. With over 10 years of experience in education, Terry holds a Level 9 RCM Certificate in piano and specializes in teaching piano and music theory to students from beginner to pre-advanced level. Over the years, he has prepared many students for Royal Conservatory of Music examinations, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to succeed. In addition to his fondness for Classical and Romantic-Era music, Terry also loves film music and enjoys composing original piano pieces in his spare time. Aside from his occasional teaching duties at DCAM, he is also its co-founder and Managing Director.

Our teachers are all qualified professionals and passionate musicians. We do our best to match a student with a teacher that we think would best fit their musical goals as well as their personalities. We understand that while some students prefer a relaxed teaching approach, there are always those for whom a more strict approach is more effective. Students also have the option to request to change their teacher if they wish to do so. Learn more about our teachers on our Teachers Section.

Just fill out our quick trial lesson form and wait to hear from us within 1-2 business days. If you like your trial lesson, you can sign up for regular lessons with us! Our lessons are available online (Zoom or Skype) as well as in-person if you live close to our location. Start learning your favorite instrument with one of our amazing teachers today!