Our piano modules consist of a personalized approach to understanding and applying keyboard techniques in ways that empower and inform. From learning how to play Beethoven correctly (in terms of the way Classical music should be played and understood) to understanding Jazz upper structure triads and the modes, PBMA is your music home. You can also bring us the pop song you wish to play and we assist you with the process: from writing out the chord chart to showing you how to read a chord chart/notation and guiding you through the process of hand placement, memory recall and stylistic accuracy.

Our Guitar modules are focusing on either classical/flamenco or pop/rock music options. With classical/flamenco you learn how to focus on a variety of performance techniques typical to an intensely melodic/multi-melodic (polyphonic) performance. In the pop/rock option you are taught the basics of guitar strumming/ picking and the role of keys, chords and melody. You choose the pop/rock songs you wish to play and the tutor assists you in reaching your personal goal.

Our singing modules consist of either classical/musical theatre or pop options. In the classical/musical theater option you receive a thorough grounding in breathing support, diction, articulation, volume and stylistic accuracy. With our pop option you are trained to use your inherent musicality via pop songs (that you choose, or that the tutor suggests based on your voice type), and to strengthen your breathing, diaphragm support and performance skill set.

With our woodwinds modules you receive step-by-step instruction how to take care of the instrument, how to produce (and sustain) your first sound, and thereafter how to read music notation, and perform the songs you like (if you are focusing on informal music tuition) or to move through the various graded levels (if you are doing formal, graded examinations).

The role of music theory is primarily to understand how music works (pitch, duration, timbre, volume, texture, tempo, etc.) and how it ‘means’ when performing on your musical instrument. We offer informal music theory tuition to very young beginners and also to clients who wish to simply have a theory basis to work with. For our formal music tuition clients we offer one-on-one guided sessions through the various graded theory levels.

.From 4 years only, acceptance for this module is based on a successful audition and evidence of musicianship readiness.

Our little ones deserve a special module in which the basics of music are introduced in a very fun, yet effective way. We use play dough, colours, soap water bubbles, story-telling with ‘live’ music, physical movement to music as well as colourful sticker-theory books to make each lesson fun. The little one attends the lesson together with the parent/care-taker while the tutor nurtures the little one’s musicality with all these empowering activities.

The ability to play by ear, and not only by reading chord charts or music notation, is an essential skill that sets great musicians apart from good musicians. With regular ear training each client/student can develop the ability to listen better to how music is put together in order to reproduce it and to evolve to a higher, more congruent level of musicality.

IGCSE Music is an official subject choice for the Cambridge International Examination in June or November each year. IGCSE Music covers Theory grades 1 through 5, World Music (e.g. Africa, Indonesia, India and Arabia), History of Music (Bach to Bartok), Orchestral instruments as well as a number of set works that need to be analysed and studied. Prescribed books are available directly from PBMA. Lessons are conducted at PBMA, and the practical portfolio preparation also occurs here at PBMA.

O Level Music is a prerequisite for being accepted to AS Music.

AS Music is the first-level section of the full A Level Music subject offered by Cambridge International Examinations. AS Music consists out of three components: a research, analysis and essay-writing component, a creative (composition) component as well as a performance component. More AS Music information is found on the AS Music Online header on this website.

AS Music is a prerequisite for being accepted to A Level Music.

Once AS Music has successfully ben completed the student can commence with the full A Level Music subject. A Level Music is a 6-month course that also consists out of two inter-related components: an option of either a research report and composition or a research report and performance is available. Either option needs to tie the research report directly to the performance/composition components.

Once the client/student has reached graded level 3 in theory the creative aspects of song writing can be developed. The theory basis is important because in order to understand the crucial creative logic behind music. First an existing song will be analysed and understood, after which the creative process will be explored in one of a number of ways that the client relates to most.

For our advanced students we offer one-on-one film music composition classes. These classes are tailored, as with all our modules, to the student’s personal background and future requirements in terms of skill transference and music theory and software understanding.

Composition module has to do with the way music motif, phrases, themes, harmonic patterns, rhythmic stimuli as well as orchestral/electronic sound colours work together to create a soundscape that is a meaningful sonic entity.

For our B.Mus. students studying at neighboring tertiary institutions we also offer a support module to assist them with theory, composition, form, harmony, counterpoint or history of music challenges they may be facing. In a tertiary institution there is not always sufficient time for each student to be treated individually. Here at PBMA this is our strength.

(Candidates for this option need their own Apple Mac hardware (i.e. MacBook Pro) with at least Logic 7 loaded, connected to a fully functional MIDI motherboard (e.g. M-Audio Keystation 61)

This fascinating module empowers the student with the know-how to easily access and utilize the music software forum as well as to produce music at the click of a button. Beyond the software literacy we also focus on empowering the student with creative cues in order to actually create music from scratch organically (not just simply being a MAC/PC jockey) that sounds really good.