Technique

Jeanette Tietze

I believe that music study is essential and can bring a person so much joy. It is a wonderful challenge and keeps us in touch with excellence.

I myself started piano lessons at age 7, and violin at 10. And I started the pipe organ at age 32 and study of the Kodaly Method of Music Education at age 43!

Singing is the most natural 'first instrument.' It encourages our musicality and expression, which we can then strive to emulate on our instruments. Listening to our tone is crucial to beautiful playing. I like to encourage my students in this direction.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Preparatory Division Dalcroze-Eurhythmics (Level I-IV, Advanced)

Eurhythmics utilizes the natural desire for movement all children possess. Students are furnished with not just an understanding of music and knowledge of its written language, but a thorough sense and feeling for it. Among other benefits, the study of music through movement cultivates inner hearing and gives children a holistic understanding of musical elements such as pulse, meter, rhythm pattern, phrasing and form. This grounding in the basic language of music leads to a distinct advantage when learning a musical instrument.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Preparatory Division Theory & Ear Training (Level III, Level IV)

Level III: Sight singing material to include seventh chords, rhythmic patterns of two against three, inversions of triads and dominant seventh chords, non-tonal use of thirds, theme & variations and rondo form. Level IV: Sight singing with secondary dominants and chromatic non-harmonic tones, small subdivisions of the beat, changing meters, inversions of dominant 7th chords, secondary dominants, modulation, non-tonal use of sixths, sonata and concerto form.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Preparatory Division Theory & Ear Training (Level I, Level II)

Level I: Sight singing and conducting using diatonic melodies in simple and compound time. Students study all major and minor keys, the intervals in those keys, chord progressions, rhythmic design and phrasing. Level II: Sight singing using skips in all diatonic triads, syncopation, harmonic cycles of thirds and fifths, dominant 7th and V7 chords, non-tonal use of seconds, fourths and fifths; binary and ternary form.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Adult Extension Division Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is helpful for musicians who wish to play with more coordination and freedom. Understanding the subtleties of how the head, torso, breath, and limbs relate to each other enables us to make music at our full potential of power and expression. Unconscious habits of movement can lead to excess muscle tensions, which can lead to pain and injury as well as dampening the free flow of communication with the audience.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music Summer Music West: Musicianship

Instrumental experience and ability to read music required. No previous music theory or ear-training experience required. Also appropriate for current Preparatory Division musicianship students.
Interview May be Required
Students will improve their general musicianship skills and lay solid groundwork for exploring music in other programs. Three class levels are offered, grouped by age and experience.