Foundation
First notes, posture and technique, reading simple rhythms and melodies.
[Typical length to confirm]Curriculum Guide
Free · 16-page PDF
The LVMS curriculum guide.
How study at Las Vegas Music School progresses, from a first lesson to audition level. What students learn at each stage, what happens inside a lesson, how much to practice, and what to bring. Written for parents, and for adults starting out themselves.
- 5Stages
- 18Instruments
- 16Pages
What's inside
Eight chapters.
- p.3How lessons workThe weekly lesson, the Initial Assessment, and how students are matched with an instructor.
- p.4The five stagesFrom first notes to pre-professional, and how long each stage usually takes.
- p.6Inside a lessonWhat happens in a 30- or 60-minute lesson, minute by minute.
- p.8Practice at homeHow much, how often, and a weekly practice plan by age.
- p.9Instrument pathwaysKeyboard, guitar, drums, woodwinds, brass and strings: what students learn at each stage.
- p.12Theory and readingHow music reading and theory are built in from the first lesson.
- p.13Recitals and auditionsPerformances, grade exams, All-State, and university audition preparation.
- p.15What to bringThe instrument, books and materials for each family, and where to buy them.
Chapter two, previewed
The five stages.
Every student is placed at the Initial Assessment and moves through the stages at their own pace. Your instructor tells you where you are, and what comes next.
Development
Scales and exercises, a first repertoire, reading fluently, playing with a metronome.
[Typical length to confirm]Intermediate
Wider repertoire and styles, improvisation or ensemble skills, first recital pieces.
[Typical length to confirm]Advanced
Demanding repertoire, grade exams and All-State preparation, stagecraft.
[Typical length to confirm]Pre-professional
University and conservatory audition repertoire, mock auditions, recording a portfolio.
[Typical length to confirm]Chapter three, previewed
Inside a lesson.
A typical 30-minute lesson. Hour-long lessons follow the same shape, with more time for repertoire.
- 0–5 minWarm upScales, rudiments or long tones to settle hands and ears.
- 5–15 minTechniqueOne focused skill, taught, demonstrated and practiced together.
- 15–25 minRepertoireThe piece of the week: phrasing, dynamics and fixing the hard bars.
- 25–30 minReading & planA few minutes of reading or theory, then the practice plan for the week.
From the guide
Talk like a musician.
- Scale
- Notes played in order, up and down. The warm-up behind almost every instrument.
- Etude
- A short piece written to practice one technique, like a musical exercise.
- Tempo
- The speed of the music, measured in beats per minute on a metronome.
- Dynamics
- How loud or soft the music is, from pianissimo (very soft) to fortissimo (very loud).
- Repertoire
- The pieces a student can perform, built up stage by stage.
- Sight-reading
- Playing a piece correctly the first time you see it. Practiced in every lesson.
- Rudiments
- The 40 standard sticking patterns every drummer learns.
- Articulation
- How each note starts and ends: smooth, detached, accented.
Free · 16-page PDF
Get the guide.
We'll email it to you now. When you're ready, apply for your complimentary Initial Assessment.
[Stages, timings and chapter contents to confirm before the PDF is written.]
Every new student begins with a complimentary Initial Assessment.
By invitation only
Apply, meet an instructor, play a little, and receive your invitation to study. In studio at eight locations, or online on Zoom or Google Meet.