Instrumental and Vocal Lessons

If you are thinking about learning a musical instrument, it might be hard to know where to start. At Loughborough Amherst you can choose from a whole range of different instruments. Please watch the short concert (below) with your children if you would like to find out a little more about some of what is on offer!

During the first lockdown of 2020, some of our teachers made short videos all about the instruments they play. For a more detailed insight into each, please scroll down and select your favourites. If you have any questions, please email Ms Marsh (s.marsh@lsf.org) - who will do her best to provide answers.

Instruments on offer include: Violin, Viola, 'Cello and Double Bass. Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone and Bassoon. Trumpet, Cornet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba. Piano, Tabla, Percussion, Harp, Guitar, Piano, Organ and Voice.


If you wish to apply for music lessons for your child, please download the application form below.  Instrument hire form is also below.


If your child is currently in Year 2, 3 or 4, then they will be learning strings or brass this year. Choosing to continue with the Y3 strings scheme or Y4/5 brass scheme has much to be recommended. Two years on an instrument is worth more than twice one year (dodgy maths? no - but pupils should make faster progress in their second year!).

All pupils going into Year 3 have the chance to join our special Year 3 String Scheme. This option, which will be charged at a preferential rate and comprises a 20 minute individual lesson plus a free group lesson each week. Subject to availability, we are also able to loan an instrument free of charge.

For pupils entering Year 4/5, we are pleased to be able to offer a Brass Scheme. This option, which will be charged at a preferential rate and comprises a 30 minute group lesson plus a free group ensemble each week. Subject to availability, we are also able to loan an instrument free of charge.

Alternatively, you may wish to opt for individual 30 minute string or brass lessons, which will be billed at the normal instrumental lesson rate.

NOW - let's meet some of our teachers!

Some children find it quite tricky to decide which instrument to learn. Some know exactly what they want to play. Either way, you may find it helpful to watch some of the videos below - and read some of the interviews too. Please feel free to watch some or all of these (with your children) at your leisure.

THE DOUBLE BASS

Miss Murray plays the double bass. Find out more - and meet some musical animals too!

THE HORN

Ms Marsh plays the Horn.

Did you know that horns were originally just that - a horn from an animal.  And did you know that they are 'french horns' at all.  Watch the video to find out where they really come from. 

Have you got any questions for Ms Marsh about the horn? Send her an email!

We will post your questions - and her answers - here!

THE VIOLIN and THE VIOLA

Ailsa and Mrs Burns tell us all about the Violin and the Viola!

Ms Marsh had some questions for Mrs Burns and Ailsa - click here to read more!

Ms Marsh: I know that Ailsa started in year 2 - but which year were you in when you started, Mrs Burns?

Mrs Burns: I was 7 yrs old when I started, so I was in the same school year as Ailsa!

Ms Marsh: It sounds like you are a musical family, Mrs Burns! How many different musical instruments are there in your house?

Mrs Burns: We counted 40 instruments, the smallest is a egg shaker, the biggest a double bass. The most expensive is a violin that Ailsa has borrowed, the cheapest is a Kazoo. The loudest is an electric guitar, the quietest a ukulele. The most beautiful are the violins!

Ms Marsh: Do all your family play instruments?

Mrs Burns: All 4 of us play at least 2 instruments each

Ms Marsh: Why should people carry on with violin - what's so special about this instrument for you?

Ailsa: it’s a very rewarding thing to do. At the end of year 2 I remember being really excited when I started playing a new piece with all my fingers. I was so happy I’d continued because I knew I’d made progress and now 12 years later I’m playing music I never dreamed I’d be able to play.

I’ve loved the sound and the music I’ve played in lots of different styles. I’ve enjoyed playing in string quartets and orchestras and have made so many friends through my playing.

PERCUSSION

Mr Geary is Head of Percussion, Brass and Wind at Loughborough Schools Music.

Did you know that there are over 500 different percussion instruments?  That's a lot of instruments to play - Mr Geary shows us examples of some of these here.

  1. Mr Geary tells us all about percussion

  2. Answers to some of your questions!

TABLA

During Lockdown, Mr Singh and Ms Marsh recorded an introductory video.  Watch it here!

THE 'CELLO

Mr Bound tells us all about the 'cello. Do you know why there's a ' before its name? The apostrophe shows us that some letters are missing. Its proper name is VIOLONCELLO.

THE FLUTE

Here's Mrs Preston and some of our Senior School pupils demonstrating the flute for you. 

Spot "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in this video.  And then listen to the other instruments and see if you can tell Ms Marsh how many times it is played on this page!

Have you got questions? Send them to Ms Marsh and she will find out the answers!

THE CLARINET and SAXOPHONE

See the clarinet and lots of different saxophones in this video with Mrs Watson


The Bassoon is the largest of the woodwind family that our LSF Pupils can learn.  Here's Mrs Goss with some of the bassoon's best tunes and an insight into bassoon playing.  

Mrs Goss answers some of your questions here......

Are there many bassoonist in our school?

There are some in the senior schools, but not so many in prep.  I'm really keen to increase the numbers in prep. It's a great instrument to take up, partly because you get invited to play in all the ensembles and groups really quickly.

Is it easy to play such a big instrument?

As I said in the video - if you are in year 3 or 4 it is best to get hold of a mini bassoon.  We don't have any at school, but you can hire them from music shops.  If you are in Year 5 or upwards you can probably manage a full size instrument - and we have those for hire at school.

How old were you when you started learning?

I started in year 7.  I already played the descant and treble recorders and had tried the clarinet.

Have you been to other countries playing your bassoon?

Yes!  I've been to Germany, France, Belgium and Holland.  I've also been on an orchestral tour with the Bardi Orchestrato St Petersburg in Russia, and was part of a successful Guiness World Record for the largest ever double reed ensemble.  That happened in Spain and I have the T-shirt to prove it!


  

Mr Groom plays the trumpet, cornet AND horn. In this video he tells us all about the trumpet and cornet - and plays us a few tunes too! Look out for the Pink Panther and Popeye!

Click here to find out about singing lessons!

Many of you already know Mr Morris - he is Head of Singing and Choirs for the whole of Loughborough Schools Foundation. 

We sing at school all the time, but did you know you can take singing lessons too?

Lessons are available from year 4 upwards, but if you are super keen, have a word with Mr Morris about starting early!

There are so many different opportunities to sing at Loughborough Schools Music.  Our choirs are for anyone - whether you take lessons or not.  But taking lessons is a great way to build confidence and improve technique.


Ms Marsh had a few questions for Mr Morris - click here to read more.......

How old were you when you started singing lessons?

When I was six, my class teacher heard me singing and encouraged me to start lessons - so I did!  I loved it and my teacher entered me for lots of little competitions.  I loved that too - because I often won!

It must be fun being a singer.  Which jobs have you loved best?

I spent four years singing with the Swingle Singers, four years in the English National Opera Chorus and I've been here ten years.  Guess which one I've enjoyed the most!

Who is the most famous person you've ever sung for?

Well I've sung for Princess Diana (Princes William and Harry's mum) and I've even sung for the Pope!

How many countries have you travelled to for singing?

I've toured more than thirty countries - that's mostly when I was in the Swingle Singers.


Lower Brass instruments include the tuba, euphonium and trombone.  You can learn any of these at Loughborough Schools Music.  Mr Groom teaches all three.  Here he demonstrates Euphonium and Trombone.

The Oboe is another member of the double reed family.   Here, Miss Griffiths tells us a bit about the instrument that she plays.  You'll also hear tunes from Wallace and Gromit as well as from the ballet Copelia.

That's all for now, everyone.  We also offer harp, guitar, organ and piano lessons and will add more information about each in due course.  

In normal circumstances, all instrumentalists and singers can be part of one or other of our amazing ensembles.  These ensembles are offered without additional charge and provide excellent musical learning, motivation for practice and a great sense of belonging.  At time of writing (May 2020) these ensembles are suspended - we will follow government advice to enable live group music-making as soon as we are able.

Any questions regarding lessons in the Prep Department should be addressed to Ms Marsh or Mrs Hipwell.  For lessons in the senior schools please contact Mrs Hipwell.