Our objectives

Objectives of instrumental lessons

The student

• enjoys making music
• recognizes the value of music as a means of communication
• masters the technique of playing the instrument and uses it not as an end in itself but in the service of music - has knowledge of music theory (harmony, general music theory, music history)
• has a trained ear
• can set goals and has the means to achieve them independently
• can assess himself or herself
• can recognize the quality of music and judge it in a differentiated way
• develops a broad spectrum of styles and forms of expression
• deals creatively with his or her skills: ideally improvises, composes and arranges

The teacher

• specifically conveys the points mentioned above by passing on musical, artistic, technical and human experience and knowledge
• respects the limits of each student's capacity to learn
• responds to the needs and wishes of the student
• broadens the student's musical horizon by introducing styles that are unfamiliar to them (listening to examples together, pointing out concerts)
• introduces the student to the tradition of his or her instrument or deepens this knowledge
• thus bears responsibility for preserving a cultural asset
• teaches musical craftsmanship in line with the student's own thinking and feeling
• motivates the student to act responsibly and independently – which includes showing how to learn and practise independently
• neither overtaxes nor underchallenges the student
• is aware of his or her role model function for young musicians
• uses the very personal contact that making music together creates in an exclusively positive way: they are often naturally a listener to the student's private problems and are asked for opinion and advice
• has a positive influence on the student beyond the lessons and thus helps to strengthen their self-confidence
• praises and criticizes in a balanced way
• knows the current requirements of various music academies and can advise and prepare an advanced student for university studies
• can advise and accompany teenage and adult students who are already professional musicians or want to become one

Musical skills taught by MuKl teachers:

• Dynamics
• Intonation
• Phrasing
• Timing
• Musical style
• Playing style
• Interpretation / conception
• Improvisation within a given framework, e.g. solo improvisation, collective improvisation
• Creativity / imagination
• Ensemble playing / interaction

Technical skills taught by MuKl teachers:

• Posture
• Coordination
• Sound
• Notation / sight reading
• Tuning the instrument
• Voice training

Building knowledge in:

• Harmony
• Melody
• Rhythm
• Form
• Repertoire
• Music history
• Instrument studies (historical development, construction, care, etc.)

Monitoring progress

Regular evaluation of the student's development gives the teacher information about the quality of the lessons and the student's talent and commitment. After a longer period it is sometimes necessary to adapt the previously formulated goals and/or the pace of the lessons to the student's progress. Checking homework, on the other hand, shows the student's current motivation to practise and whether the material of the previous lesson was understood. Regular performances in front of an audience can show the level of development at the end of a teaching period, but they are not forced, because the pressure of suddenly having to play in front of many people can be a great burden for some students. Training for public performances is particularly important when deciding on a career as a musician. Everything that goes into preparing a concert besides practising and rehearsing the music can be rehearsed in the MuKl hall: choosing and setting up amplifiers, music stands and PA, setting up the lighting, seating in the hall, soundcheck and recording the concert.