Lessons
Why Figo Music?
Music Matters
We tailor our lessons to fit you and welcome a whole range of styles. We can offer lessons in Jazz, Classical, Pop and Rock all to the highest standard.
Music Matters
Why Figo Music?
Music Matters
We believe music is the answer. It can not only calm us down, relax and provide structure in our life - but music also helps us enjoy ourselves, express emotion and present us with fun opportunities to meet new people and engage through performance.
Why Figo Music?
Why Figo Music?
Why Figo Music?
"My son is really enjoying his lessons with Harry. Harry has a calm, friendly manner and is very positive throughout the sessions. He is very knowledgeable and explains new ideas clearly and logically. Thank you!"
Debbie R, January, 2018
Parents guide to music lessons
Starting Figo Music
Congratulations! Your child’s music journey begins here.
Learning music? Music impacts our lives everyday and can improve the personal, social, academic, creative and mental wellbeing of all young people.
Leading music organisation Music Mark says that Music:
- Boosts improvement improves learning skills fosters team working builds life skills
- Encourages creativity
- Is for life
- Is an educational building block
- Is fun
- Is for everyone
- Encourages better behaviour
Starting music lessons with Figo Music School (School Setting. Primary, Secondary)
Our lessons
We offer ten lessons per term on a weekly basis with provision continuing into the next term. This reoccurs unless in the unfortunate case, we receive a parental request to stop tuition.
For beginners, depending on the set up in your child’s school, we can offer lessons in a small group no bigger than 5, so that your child gets to start their journey with their friends and classmates – This is cheaper, more informal, and sometimes you will see each student motivated to practise more so that they can challenge their classmates!
If starting with group lessons, there will no doubt come a point where the progress of each child will begin to accelerate at different speeds, and we’d then suggest moving to individual lessons.
If you choose 1-1 individual lessons, we offer a minimum of 15 minutes per week. 20, 30 and 60 minute lessons are also available. When your child progress beyond the ‘beginner’ stage and is more confident, we’d suggest increasing lessons to 30 minutes allowing them to have the greatest opportunity to develop their instrumental skills, as well as their general musicianship.
Lesson Content
Your child’s lessons will feature technical exercises designed to enhance their cognitive abilities, physical coordination, and muscle memory. They will also explore a diverse selection of songs/pieces, carefully chosen to be both enjoyable and slightly above their current level, inspiring them to reach new musical heights.
Some parents prefer a structured, exam-focused approach to learning, following graded books & exams through organisations like ABRSM or RockSchool (RSL). This method outlines a clear progression in any students learning, with exams that evaluate the child’s development and award certificates as milestones of achievement. It’s important to remember that graded instrument exams, though not always important, do help emphasise someones hard work and dedication and will look particular impressive on any CV in the future.
Other parents may prefer not to follow an exam-focused approach, choosing instead to emphasise particular styles or simply the enjoyment of playing an instrument without the formality of exams. In either case, we encourage parents to share their expectations with the tutor to ensure the lessons align with their goals. You may not have a clear goal, in which case the tutor can give some options, or you may be very clear about your desires – what’s really important is that you form part of the conversation in your child’s learning, and are both supported by our staff.
Who is teaching my child?
Our Tutors were once in your shoes. They know all there is when it comes to practising for grades in Classical, Jazz or even Pop & Rock. Our tutors are excited to offer opportunities in Piano, Guitar and Bass lessons, either to be learnt as a stand alone instrument or to complement your singing if you wish to learn how to self accompany. We tailor our lessons to fit you and welcome a whole range of styles. Every tutor will be dedicated towards meeting your child’s learning needs, interests and aspirations.
Our tutors are DBS checked and trained to Level 2 safeguarding standards through ESCB and participate in yearly support and development training.
We take pride in our tutors, who are not only skilled educators but also positive role models. They will be supporting your child’s personal, academic, and musical growth by being fair, adaptable, enthusiastic, and attentive to their individual needs. You can also expect reliable, professional and consistent communication, typically through weekly notes on your child’s progress.
How can I help my child when it comes to learning music?
How can I help my child when it comes to learning music?
When should they practise?
You know your child best, so perhaps a fixed spot in their daily routine is great, or maybe first thing in the morning away from the pressures of homework would be more beneficial.
Children and teens can be protective of their ‘free’ time – time that isn’t study or practice.
So we suggest, if there is a spare fifteen minutes of unexpected time - such as “dinner is going to be later than I thought, so why don’t you do your practice whilst your waiting?”
How long should practice last for?
A wise musician once said ‘little and often, make knowledge common’ – remember that you are trying to encourage muscle memory and development in the brain, so practise isn’t always an activity that can be ‘binged’ for hours at a time.
Not every child will remember to practise, so it is perfectly fine to give them gentle and encouraging reminders.
What does good practice look like?
Firstly, every one of our tutors will keep an organised dairy documenting your child’s progress, so you should ask to see the notes they’ve written at any time you wish. You should ask your child what they find difficult, and encourage them to spend more time on developing that skill than playing through songs they may already know really well.
Warm ups such as ‘scales’ used by the teacher which will help your child’s muscle and brain development. A couple of scales should always be played before your child practises, even if they’re sitting down to play purely for 10 minutes of fun.
Once a student is getting more advanced and confident with a piece/song, it is then a good test to see if they can drop in from any place within the song and play on fluently without feeling the need to always go back to the very beginning when they make a small error.
How should I best support my child?
For parents with a musical background, we recommend patience and caution in drawing comparisons or setting expectations based on your own experiences as a child.
For those without a musical background, don’t worry! Stay curious and engaged—ask questions and encourage your child to explain what they are learning and practising. This helps you stay connected to their progress and development.
You have trusted your child’s musical development to the tutor, so use their guidance, and please don’t be afraid to ask for advice. If you feel your child can’t explain what’s been asked of them, get the tutor to repeat it; they will be more than happy to do so. Remember, they are there for your child’s development and to help them reach all their musical goals.