Midlands123

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Phone/text: 086 0711020

email: info@midlands123.org

It is best to book your preferred slot as soon as possible.  The class details table above shows if slots are available or filled.  If all slots are filled and there is no availability, please send on an email, and I will contact you if any slot opens up in the Spring or Summer term.

This is intended as group class for primary school students who are starting  violin.  Classes will start with the basics, and proceed with simple exercises and short tunes.  Lessons will not start with lines-and-spaces, but will be taught using the note-names.  Musical notation (lines-and-spaces) will only be introduced later in spring or summer term (2026).  Tunes will include airs (Irish airs, church airs, popular airs) and simpler irish dance tunes. If you are interested in this group class, please apply through the Contact Form below, and I will let you know when this will start. The Cost per lesson in Group class is €11 per lesson.

The cost is €21 for 30mins class with Mairead.

Two slots are available for students to take an individual lesson (121).  The student is not constrained by the standard of the group, and can direct the pace of the class and get 100% attention.  For students who are working towards grade exams, an individual class is needed.

Scales and exercises will be included in all violin classes.  Working on technique will lead to better tuning and sweeter tone in the long run.  However, the primary focus of all classes is on learning new tunes and enjoying the music.

If you are not ready to buy an instrument, you may be able rent an instrument.  Mairead will have some instruments which can be lent out. It depends on the height of the learner, as to the size of violin which would suit. I will create a separate post about violin sizes and suitability for small or tall person.  

Check out the ‘Instruments’ tab

Violinist will need Rosin, a music stand and a electronic violin Tuner or Phone-App. If you are unsure which one to buy, please wait and ask Mairead for recommendation.  Students will need just a copy book for starters, a folder to hold photocopy sheets, and may  be advised to buy music books later (tutor book, book of tunes, exam books).

You do not need to bring the keyboard to the lesson. The teacher will bring a keyboard. The student will need a keyboard (casio or similar) at home for practise.  You may be able to buy one secondhand at low price, or buy an inexpensive entry-level keyboard from Amazon (or Argos in Cavan).  

A keyboard is a very different instrument to a piano, and has  strengths (small, light, has many tones for other instruments, rhythm and style buttons for playing pop music, can use headphones) and limitations (does not have the range of octaves, does not have the resonance and response).  For a student who wishes to play classical piano music, it will eventually be necessary to buy a piano (acoustic paino, or digital piano with full octaves and the keys ‘action’. 

Beginner students will start with learning the notes of the keyboard, and will work through a junior piano tutor book, learning the notation (lines-and-spaces). Beginner students will learn scales and keys, and will be at level Preliminary or Primary at the end of 1 year. More advanced students can continue their lessons with Martha, preparing for exams with RIAM (royal irish academy of Music, or ABRSM).  All Student will also learn some popular song tunes with chords, and some Christmas tunes depending on their progress.

Unfortunately, we cannot facilitate Advanced piano students (Senior Grades 5-8) at Drumlish Community Centre where we are limited to teaching on a keyboard (5-octave) without the full piano ‘action’.  For following years, we will make provision to facilitate students who are working towards Senior grades (improved instrument or alternative venue with proper piano).  

Yes. This class is for beginners. Students learn the first two chords on week 1, and each week will learn a new chord and a new song.  Within the first 4 lessons, a student will be able to accompany themselves with some well known songs. A listing of the songs we will learn in Term 1 is given on the tab ‘Love Singing’.

The 4-string is a simpler instrument to learn, and allows for faster progress for a student who is more interested in singing rather than being a guitarist. The Tenor Guitar and The Baritone Ukulele are both tuned to the upper 4 strings of the standard 6-string guitar, so it is possible to transition over to regular 6-string guitar afterwards. More information on the instruments being used in this class is given on the ‘Instruments’ tab.

No. It will not be possible to integrate the 6 string guitar into the class. If you have a 6-string guitar, it is possible that you can remove two strings, restring it, and then bring this 4-string instrument to the class. Information about this given in the ‘Instruments’ tab.

No. the small Ukulele(Soprano, Concert, Tenor) is tuned differently to the Baritone Ukulele and cannot be used in this class.  All lesson plans and instruction will be for an instrument which is tuned (D-G-B-E) with D (low) for the lowest string and E for the highest string.

If you can get a Baritone Ukulele, please go ahead and purchase.  Information given on the ‘Instruments’ tab, where you can purchase, and some pricings for entry-level instruments. It is not possible to buy a baritone Ukulele locally, and you will most probably be buying online (Thomann.de). If you do not wish to purchase one before trying the class, you can rent one from Mairead who will have a few to rent out, which you can rent by the week.

Only simple strumming style is used in the singing-guitar class.  The focus of this class is on learning songs which are successful with a few simple chords, and quickly building up a collection of songs.