Music Classes in Dublin

Waltons New School of Music, Dublin:
Founded in 1994 and located in Dublin city centre, the New School is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. The New School offers tuition in the broadest range of instruments and subjects of any music school in Ireland, for students of all ages, levels and abilities.

Drums & Percussion

Private, Partner & Small Group Lessons
Waltons New School of Music offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in: Drum Kit (all styles, from beginner to diploma level); Irish Percussion (Bodhrán, Bones & Spoons); World Percussion (Djembe, Congas, Bongos, etc.). 

Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available.

Group Courses for Beginners
Designed for absolute beginners, Introducing Bodhrán offers an in-depth introduction to this popular instrument. Participants in our Introducing World Drumming course learn the techniques and rhythms associated with various world percussion instruments, including djembes, congas, bongos, dumbeks and assorted frame drums.

Ensembles & Sessions
Drum kit students may be interested in joining one of our Jazz Ensembles. Bodhrán students may be interested in our Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players, taking place one Friday evening each month.

Outreach
Drumming Around the World and Sounds African are exciting one-hour workshops combining dynamic live demonstrations with fun and fascinating activities designed to help young people develop their musical awareness through the exploration of rhythms and percussion instruments from Latin America or Africa.

Guitar & Bass

Private, Partner & Small Group Lessons
Reflecting the diversity of the modern guitar, the New School offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in classical guitar (to diploma level), jazz guitar (to diploma level), acoustic guitar (blues, fingerstyle, song accompaniment, Irish traditional, etc), Spanish & flamenco guitar, electric guitar and electric bass. Students of classical, jazz and popular guitar styles may also choose to take grade exams from a variety of examining boards. Electric guitar and bass tuition can also include instruction in guitar effects and technology. All of our guitar teachers are also active performers, both live and recorded.

Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available for any guitar style.

Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students can join Introducing Acoustic Guitar for Adults, Introducing Acoustic Guitar for Teens, Introducing Flamenco Guitar or Introducing Guitar for Children, three of our most popular foundation courses.

Group Courses for Intermediate Students
Our four 'Basics' courses for guitar provide extensive introductions to the styles for players with some previous experience: Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics, Electric Blues Guitar Basics, Fingerstyle Guitar Basics, Trad Guitar Basics.

Ensembles & Sessions
Guitar and bass students may also be interested in joining one of the school’s Jazz Ensembles. We also run monthly Bluegrass Slow Jams and Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players, on Friday evenings at the school.

Theory, Musicianship & Songwriting
Beginning guitar and bass students should also consider taking Music Fundamentals, designed to supplement private tuition with the basics of music theory. Our Songwriting Workshop will help you to develop your creative ideas – in any musical style – and turn them into finished songs. Jazz Improvisation Basics, intended for students with at least one year’s playing experience, is an ideal introduction to improvised music making. Students completing the course can further develop and apply the skills they have learned in this course in the ten-week Jazz Blues Ensemble Workshop (students can enrol for both courses together at a reduced fee) followed by Jazz Ensembles I and II.

Piano & Keyboard

Private & Partner Lessons
The New School’s piano and keyboard curriculum is intended to build not only a solid technical facility but also a broad musical knowledge. Tuition is available for students of all ages and abilities, those learning for pleasure and others preparing for grade examinations from preliminary to teaching diploma level. Lessons are also available in Jazz Piano.
Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Taking place in the school’s digital piano lab, group piano lessons are designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together. They are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons are also available.

Group Courses for Beginners
Beginner adults can join Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults, which introduces students to the fundamentals of keyboard technique – as well as basic music theory, sight reading and chordal accompaniment – while progressing through a varied and interesting repertoire ranging from classical to pop. Designed for children aged 6-8, Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Children is a lively and enjoyable first experience with keyboard instruments.

Group Courses for Intermediate Students
Taking place in the New School’s Digital Piano Lab, Jazz Piano Basics is a hands-on course designed to give classical piano students of at least intermediate level (Grade V or equivalent) a solid foundation in jazz piano.

Ensembles
Students of jazz piano may be interested in joining one of our Jazz Ensembles.

Theory & Music Technology
Beginning piano and keyboard students should also consider taking Music Fundamentals, designed to supplement private tuition with the basics of music theory, and piano and keyboard students at all levels are strongly encouraged to attend theory classes. Piano/keyboard students may also be interested in our Introducing Music Technology course.

String Instruments

Private, Partner & Small Group Lessons
The New School’s string instrument programme provides specialised training at all levels, from absolute beginner to advanced, in the following instruments: Violin (Classical, Jazz/Swing & Gypsy), Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Fiddle (Irish & Bluegrass), and Irish Harp.

Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons – 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length – are available. Small group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are available for all of these instruments.

Group Courses for Beginners
We offer the following courses for absolute beginners: Introducing Irish Fiddle, Introducing Violin for Adults and Introducing Violin for Children.

Ensembles & Sessions
The New School’s Adult String Ensemble focuses on ensemble skills and developing general musical/string skills but is also an opportunity to meet other string players and make some great music! The school’s two Jazz Ensembles introduce students of all instruments to the art of improvisation through the study and performance of blues and jazz. We also run monthly Trad Slow Sessions and Bluegrass Slow Jams, open to both New School and external students/players, on Friday evenings at the school.

Traditional & Folk Instruments

Private, Partner & Small Group Lessons
Reflecting Waltons’ ongoing commitment to promoting Irish and folk music, Waltons New School of Music offers a diverse programme. Lessons are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in: Banjo (Irish/Tenor banjo & Bluegrass/5-String Banjo), Bodhrán, Bouzouki, Concertina, Fiddle (Irish & Bluegrass), Irish/Wooden Flute, Guitar (Trad, Folk & Blues), Gypsy Violin, Harmonica (Diatonic & Chromatic), Irish Harp, Low Whistle, Mandolin, Piano Accordion (Intensive Lessons only), Sean-nós Singing, Tin Whistle, Traditional/Folk Singing, Uilleann Pipes. Traditional instrument tuition can also include preparation for Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and instrumental study at the school counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award.

Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- and 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are available for all of the traditional instruments taught at the New School; instruments can be provided for banjo, bodhrán, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and piano accordion intensive lessons.

Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students can join Introducing 5-String Banjo, Introducing Bodhrán, Introducing Irish Fiddle, Introducing Harmonica or Introducing Tin Whistle, which provide foundation tuition in these instruments. No previous musical experience is required.

Group Courses for Intermediate Students
Our 'Basics' courses for guitar are excellent introductions to the styles for players with some previous experience: Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics, Fingerstyle Guitar Basics, Trad Guitar Basics.

Sessions & Jams
Our Trad Slow Sessions are traditional Irish music sessions in all ways except one: the tempo. We play the session tunes at a slower than normal pace (usually less than half the speed), so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. More experienced players who wish to refine their techniques at a slower pace are also very welcome. Our Bluegrass Slow Jams are open to anyone who wants experience playing and singing bluegrass standards at a moderately slow tempo and in a supportive, educational and fun jam setting. Participants will build up a repertoire of bluegrass, folk, gospel and country blues songs and learn how accessible and enjoyable playing with other musicians can be, while supervised by an experienced teacher.

Voice (Singing)

Private, Partner & Small Group Lessons
The New School's voice programme is designed to help new and experienced singers of all ages to get the most out of the instrument they were born with. Singing instruction for adults and teens is two-part, concentrating on both vocal technique and interpretation. The technique portion works on breathing, range development, vocal strength, flexibility, intonation and tonal quality.

The material chosen for interpretation work – which may include classical, jazz/blues, rock/pop, traditional music or musical theatre – is chosen with each student's unique goals (and voice) in mind. (The New School also offers Jazz Voice lessons, focusing specifically on the skills and techniques of jazz singing.)

As it is not generally advisable to begin technical work before the age of 15, singing lessons for younger students concentrate on musicianship and interpretation skills.

Vocal tuition at the New School can also include preparation for graded music exams as well as Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award. Genres/styles taught at the New School include: Classical (Opera, Lied, etc.), Jazz, Musical Theatre, Rock/Pop, Sean-nós, Traditional/Folk.

Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available for any singing style.

Group Courses for Beginners
One of the New School’s most popular courses, Introducing Singing for Adults is designed to take some of the mystery out of singing, improve your confidence in singing before an audience and introduce you to the fundamentals of voice training.

Group Courses for Intermediate Students
We offer the following workshop courses for voice students with some experience, all of which finish with optional public performances before family and friends: The Jazz Vocal Workshop provides an intensive introduction to the range of skills and techniques required to sing in the jazz style. The Musical Theatre Workshop is designed for anyone interested in performing in musicals and is an excellent opportunity to develop your vocal abilities, song/audition repertoire and dramatic skills.

The Pop/Rock Vocal Workshop is specially designed for the amateur pop, rock, blues, r’n’b, folk, soul or gospel singer and covers some essential techniques specific to contemporary vocal styles.

Sing Your Heart Out Choir
Love singing but need encouragement? Join our Sing Your Heart Out Choir and your nerves will disappear! The Choir is led by a renowned choral director and focuses on music from the contemporary, gospel and world traditions. Join it and you’ll have the opportunity to sing some great songs with others, to find and improve your voice, to spend an hour and a half every week ‘singing your heart out’ and making new friends in the process, and to perform in public for fun and entertainment.

Theory, Musicianship & Songwriting
Designed especially for voice students and choristers, Sight Singing Made Easy simultaneously develops their music reading skills and practical sight singing – incorporating such elements as pitch, tuning, rhythm and solfege (do-re-mi, etc.). It is highly recommended for all voice students. Jazz Improvisation Basics, intended for voice students with at least one year’s singing experience, is an ideal introduction to improvised music making. Students completing the course can further develop and apply the skills they have learned in this course in the ten-week Jazz Blues Ensemble Workshop (students can enrol for both courses together at a reduced fee), followed by Jazz Ensembles I and II.

Wind Instruments
Waltons New School of Music offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in: Clarinet, Concert Flute, Irish Traditional (Wooden) Flute, Harmonica (Diatonic & Chromatic), Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone (Alto & Tenor), Clarinet, Harmonica and Saxophone instruction can include jazz theory and improvisation.

Students of wind instruments at the New School can also be prepared for a range of grade exams, from preliminary to performance or teaching diploma level, as well as Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and instrumental study at the school counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award.

Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students can join Introducing Harmonica, which explores the basics of diatonic harmonica playing in various styles, from folk-rock to blues. No previous musical experience is required.

Ensembles & Sessions
The New School's Flute Ensemble is open to students of Grade III standard and above and works on a wide range of repertoire in a variety of styles. It is also an opportunity to meet other players and make some great music! The school's two Jazz Ensembles introduce students of all instruments to the art of improvisation through the study and performance of blues and jazz. We also run monthly Bluegrass Slow Jams and Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players, on Friday evenings at the school.

Theory & Musicianship
Beginning students should also consider taking Music Fundamentals, designed to supplement private tuition with the basics of music theory. Jazz Improvisation Basics, intended for students with at least one year’s playing experience, is an ideal introduction to improvised music making. Students completing the course can further develop and apply the skills they have learned in this course in the ten-week Jazz Blues Ensemble Workshop (students can enrol for both courses together at a reduced fee), followed by Jazz Ensembles I and II.